When it comes to caring for our fur babies, we all want to make sure they are as comfortable and healthy as possible. Unfortunately, this means that sometimes our beloved canines suffer from conditions like itching and skin irritations. Many pet owners may wonder if using baking soda is an efficient way to soothe their pet’s discomfort. In this blog post, we will be exploring the potential risks and benefits of using baking soda on dogs to ease itching and skin irritations. We will go over different methods of application and discuss the best practices for treating your pet with baking soda. Additionally, we will discuss alternative methods and ingredients that may be more suitable for your pup’s specific needs. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of how to treat your pet’s itchiness and skin irritation safely and effectively.
6 Remedies For Your Dog’s Itching
There are lots of reasons for your dog to itch. It may be because he has a bug bite, hot spot or infection. Or it could be because of environmental or food allergies.
It’s important to find the underlying cause. Here are some secure and simple ways to stop your dog from itching in the interim.
Herbalists love using calendula as a first aid remedy, and for good reason. It has an almost magical effect in healing wounds. And it is able to prevent bacteria more effectively than many antibiotics.
Calendula also has anti-inflammatory properties and encourages the growth of new, healthy cells. And it helps eliminate fungal infections.
Since the herb would bloom on the calends, or new moon, of every month, the Romans gave it the name calendula to reflect this. Officinalis refers to its official medicinal value.
Dogs can treat their itch with a diluted solution of calendula tincture and water. It can even help with hot spots. Use one part tincture to 5-10 parts water.
A health food store or online herbal or homeopathic supply retailer both sell calendula tinctures. You can use a spray bottle to apply the tincture after dilution and mixing, or you can simply pour some of the mixture on the area and rub it in.
Making your own tincture from dried calendula petals is possible. Simply combine five tablespoons of calendula petals with one cup of boiling water, let steep for fifteen minutes, and strain. This tincture doesn’t have to be diluted.
Due to its soothing effects and anti-inflammatory properties, baking soda can do wonders. Additionally, it neutralizes acid and produces a more basic pH, which significantly lessens your dog’s scratching.
Make a paste by combining one tablespoon of baking soda with a little water. Apply the paste to the itchy or irritated areas. Leave the paste on for a few hours. Then wash it off.
Making a baking soda spray from two tablespoons of baking soda and eight ounces of water is another option. Put in a spray bottle and use when necessary. Shake before using.
With dogs who have scratchy, irritated feet, I’ve found the paste solution to be very helpful. Put the paste on the tops of their feet and in the spaces between their toes. If baking soda dries and falls to the ground, it is safe and is simple to vacuum up.
The aloe vera gel you purchase at the store and the live plant differ significantly. Important enzymes in the live plant can survive in the fridge for up to three days.
These unique enzymes aren’t found in bottled gel but are incredibly potent and quickly relieve itching in dogs.
Each aloe leaf has a jelly-like substance inside of it that helps damaged tissue to regenerate quickly. This accelerates cellular matrix healing and brings down inflammation. It also has antibiotic and coagulating agents in it.
Aloe plants are available at plant nurseries; they require little maintenance to keep alive in your home. Put an aloe vera plant in a terra cotta pot on your window ledge so you can access it whenever you want.
If your dog is itching, split open an aloe leaf. Apply the transparent jelly found inside the leaf to itchy areas by using the leaf’s tough cuticle.
Additionally, it can be applied to burns, fungus infections, and insect bites. If you cut a leaf and only use a portion of it, refrigerate the remaining portion. Once more, the ingredients continue to work after the leaf is cut for up to three days.
In North America, witch hazel, also referred to as winter-bloom or spotted alder, is a common flowering shrub. Witch hazel contains a lot of tannins in its leaves, bark, and twigs. Tannins have the ability to tighten, dry out, and harden tissues, making them a natural astringent.
Witch hazel is inexpensive and available at most drugstores. This substance is actually the result of steam distilling the shrub’s own bark, leaves, and twigs.
Witch hazel works to soothe your dog’s itch, lessen swelling, and mend damaged skin when applied directly to the skin. It also helps fight bacteria. When you use witch hazel on your dog, it is also completely natural, has a pleasant scent, and won’t leave stains on your carpets or furniture.
Simply apply witch hazel to a piece of clothing or a cotton ball and rub it on your dog’s skin.
Witch hazel is great for soothing itchy skin. It’s also great for itchy paws. You can put some in a bowl made of plastic and use it to wet your dog’s feet before patting them dry.
6 Dog Skin Allergies Home Remedies
Most people keep baking soda in their kitchen cabinets, but you probably don’t consider it a natural treatment for irritated skin. It can soothe inflamed skin, lessen irritation, and stop itching in dogs in addition to aiding in the leavening of baked goods.
If you dont already have it, buy any regular cheap brand of baking soda (like Arm & Hammer). There are three ways you can use it to relieve your dogs skin allergy symptoms: with a paste, spray or a bath.
Paste. To make a paste, combine one part baking soda with one part water. Paste should be applied to the troubled area, and it should sit there for 20 minutes. Rinse the area thoroughly.
Spray. Additionally, you can make a spray by combining 8 ounces of warm water with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Shake the mixture well before spraying down your pet.
Bath. You can also make a baking soda bath for your dog if they have widespread itching brought on by a skin allergy by mixing 2 cups of baking soda with water in a bathtub. Bathe your dog using the same instructions as noted above.
My Dog Is Constantly Scratching And Biting Himself… Why Is My Dog So Itchy But Has No Fleas?
While fleas are undoubtedly among the most frequent causes of itchiness in dogs, they are by no means the only culprits.
Dogs may also experience itching if their skin and coat are overly dry or dull. Dandruff coming off your dog’s fur or visibly noticeable patches of dry skin are warning signs of this.
A dog may also experience itching if its environment is too chilly. A dog may also experience itching if a soap or shampoo is used on it without thoroughly rinsing it afterward or if it contains ingredients that the poor animal is allergic to.
An inadequately nourishing diet may also be the cause of dry, irritated skin. A dog should eat a balanced diet every day that is rich in proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Certain dog foods, particularly those that cost less, contain cheap, impure ingredients that irritate and trigger allergic reactions in dogs. As a result, it is crucial to watch what you feed your dog!
A skin condition that is underlying may also be the cause of your dog’s itchiness. It’s possible that your dog has infected skin, excessively oily skin, or excessively dry skin. Additionally, it’s possible that a specific allergen is causing your dog’s reaction.
Some of the causes of a chronic skin condition are listed below:
The environment your dog lives in can have a significant impact on its skin’s health, either positively or negatively.
Your dog’s skin is more likely to become dry if you live in a climate or house with consistently low humidity. Itching should naturally result from skin that has been too dry for a while.
Atopy, which is another name for environmental allergy, is one of the conditions most likely to irritate your dog’s skin.
For a poor, infested dog, flea bites can be extremely irritating. Since bites are so itchy, dogs frequently scratch themselves uncontrollably.
A bite can occasionally result in a condition known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). When this happens, the dog’s body reacts allergically to the antigens in flea saliva. Getting bitten by a flea can cause intense scratching, licking, and biting—often to the point of causing self harm.
Make sure to regularly clean your dog’s environment to prevent fleas from biting them. The dog’s bedding, blankets, towels, and carpeting should all be thoroughly cleaned and treated.
Additionally, to stop the fleas’ life cycle and eliminate any fleas that may still be on the dog’s body, use a flea treatment and collar like Frontline or Seresto.
Just as certain foods can cause allergies in humans, certain foods can also cause allergies in dogs!
When a dog’s immune system interprets a protein in their food as a danger, food allergies can develop. The best way to solve this issue is to gradually eliminate each ingredient from your dog’s meals until you identify the one that is causing him harm.
Always strive to give your puppy the most nutritious, vitamin- and mineral-rich diet you can, as this will directly affect the health of the dog’s skin and coat.
Yeast infections are relatively common in dogs, and most frequently occur when the dog’s immune system isn’t able to fight off the Malassezia pachydermatis fungus.
When a dog has an immune deficiency and needs to take immunosuppressive medications, or when the affected skin area produces too much oil, these opportunistic skin infections occur.
Most commonly, warm, moist areas like the spaces between licked toes and in ear flaps are the sites of yeast infections. A yeast infection can be identified by the unpleasant odor it leaves in the area affected.
External, topical treatment with a medicated shampoo or ointment is typically the first step in treating a yeast infection. In more severe situations, oral antifungal medication may also be prescribed, along with antibiotics if an associated bacterial infection is present.
Please take your dog to the vet as soon as you can if it is constantly depressed and lethargic, scratching itself nonstop, or itching to the point where it loses its appetite for food.
Chronic scratching, biting, and, in severe cases, chewing can result from persistent itching brought on by dry skin, allergies, or other surface conditions. The sooner you take care of your dog’s scratching issue, the better, as itchy dogs are more likely to develop infections due to skin breakage.
FAQ
Can I sprinkle baking soda on my dog?
Baking soda can be used to dry shampoo cats and dogs in between wet shampooing, according to Pickard. “First, brush your pet to get rid of any dirt or loose hair. You may want to do the next step outside. Avoid getting baking soda in your pet’s eyes by massaging it into their skin and into their fur.
How can I soothe my dogs itchy skin?
Calendula, Chamomile, and Green Tea Soaks Calendula, chamomile, and green tea all have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that make them excellent additions to a dog bath for itchy skin. For dogs with hot, itchy patches of skin that could be rubbed raw, these soaks work best.
Can I put baking soda on my itchy dog?
Baking soda is a practical ingredient to keep on hand, not the least of which is that it can relieve itchy skin. Make a thick paste out of some baking soda and water to apply to your dog’s itchy patches. Apply the paste to the trouble spots, and then leave it on for about 20 minutes before rinsing it off.
What can I give my dog for immediate itch relief?
If your pet has severe itching, you should take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Giving them a comforting bath, antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and an efficient next-generation flea treatment, however, can all be good starting points for mild cases.