Are you looking for a natural remedy for your dog’s itchy skin? Witch hazel might be the answer you are looking for. Witch hazel has a long-standing homeopathic history, but is it safe to use on your dog? This blog post will explore the benefits of witch hazel and how it can help relieve your dog’s itchy skin. We’ll look at how to properly apply witch hazel, how to know if it’s working, and if there are any precautions to take. We’ll also discuss how to determine if witch hazel is the right solution for your particular case and how it compares to other natural remedies. Finally, we’ll explore what other options may be available if witch hazel isn’t the right solution for your dog’s itchy skin. By the end of this blog post, you’ll be armed with the knowledge you need to decide if witch hazel is the best treatment for your pup’s itchy skin.
Benefits of Witch Hazel for Dogs
According to Greg Tilford, a holistic veterinary educator with a practice in Phoenix, witch hazel is primarily an astringent. It quickly shrinks and tightens skin tissue to reduce topical inflammation. This is why many hemorrhoid preparations as well as face and skin wrinkle removers contain it as their main active ingredient. ”.
The substance known as tannins, which gives plants and fruits their arid, bitter taste, is responsible for these therapeutic properties. The North American shrub known as witch hazel, or Hamamelis virginiana, has small yellow flowers and contains a lot of tannins.
Our conventional veterinarians do not advise pet owners to use witch hazel, either because they have no experience with it or because its use is not supported by reliable scientific research. However, this does not imply that witch hazel will not be beneficial to your dog. In fact, some veterinarians are successfully treating their patients with it.
Dr. Witch hazel is used by holistic veterinarian Judy Morgan in New Jersey to make ear cleaners and to lessen swelling in dogs that have been stung or bitten by insects. It soothes, lessens inflammation-related itch, and doesn’t sting. She claims that ticks can also be treated with it to loosen their grip and facilitate removal. After emptying the anal glands, I also use it to clean the perianal area, ” she adds. “It cleans well and neutralizes the anal gland odor. ”.
Additionally, according to Tilford, witch hazel can be used on dogs without risk to lessen dermatitis and the discomfort brought on by flea bites.
Begin with the correct product. Tilford, a founding member of the National Animal Supplements Council’s (NASC) Scientific Advisory Committee, advises using witch hazel created and marketed specifically for animals. Dog-specific herbal ear washes with a witch hazel base may also include calming components like chamomile extract, marigold extract, and sage oil. Morgan cleans her patients’ ears with a mixture of witch hazel, tea tree oil, and aloe
If using human-grade witch hazel, Morgan advises selecting a product with vegetable glycerin as it is less dangerous if your pet accidentally consumes it. Tilford advises that if you do decide to buy an alcohol-based product, pick one that uses grain alcohol rather than isopropyl. The majority of witch hazel products sold in stores are made with isopropyl alcohol, which should not be consumed. ”.
Although witch hazel doesn’t need to be diluted, Tilford advises using it sparingly. It can be used once or twice daily on dogs, he says. Morgan advises applying witch hazel to your dog’s skin with a piece of gauze or a cotton ball. A few drops can be used in the ears to help dry discharges and soothe inflammation when cleaning your dog’s ears. ”.
Dr. In order to treat itchy skin, Honolulu, Hawaii-based holistic veterinarian Ihor Basko frequently mixes witch hazel and aloe vera juice in a one-to-one ratio.
And How to Use It Safely On Your Dog
Known scientifically as Hamamelis virginiana, witch hazel is a small, yellow-flowered North American shrub. For an untold amount of time, the Native Americans have used the witch hazel plant as a natural folk remedy. With all the wonders of modern medicine, the plant’s leaves, bark, and stems have long been used medicinally. Today, you can still find witch hazel at your neighborhood drugstore.
The primary use of witch hazel these days is as an astringent. Which is a liquid based treatment that is applied to the skin, oftentimes to the skin on your face. The reason people use witch hazel this way is because witch hazel has the effects of diminishing inflammation, drawing tissue together, and even slowing bleeding.
It’s easy to understand why people use witch hazel on their faces. For many people, reducing inflammation and maintaining taut, wrinkle-free skin tissue is undoubtedly a desirable result. However, you are probably most interested in that final section. You may be curious about how witch hazel can stop bleeding if your dog is injured.
For centuries, people have used witch hazel as a medicine and a natural remedy.
How to Use Witch Hazel Safely on Your Dog
Being an astringent, witch hazel is advantageous in that it can have a wide range of outcomes. Although people enjoy using astringents on their faces to stay youthful and attractive, the effects of witch hazel can be used in a variety of positive ways.
You want to make sure that you are using witch hazel specifically designed to be used on pets if you can. If you are using one made for humans make sure you choose a vegetable glycerin-based product if you can. You want to avoid isopropyl alcohol because isopropyl can be quite toxic if it is ingested.
But after making sure you have the right variety of twitch hazel for your dog, there are a number of ways you can use it to benefit your pet. Witch hazel’s anti-inflammatory properties help to lessen the swollen tissue surrounding a cut, scrape, or insect bite. This can be especially helpful if you have a dog that enjoys biting or licking at cuts or bug bites. Witch hazel topically applied to the area around the wound reduces inflammation, which lessens your dog’s desire to itch and scratch at it. This is particularly helpful if your dog is dealing with flea bites. Applying witch hazel topically can significantly lessen the itching that mosquito bites cause. Â.
Witch hazel can also be used to clean a wound if it is a small flesh wound (less than an inch in size, only on the surface tissue). Witch hazel’s ability to tighten skin tissue will both help stop the flow of blood from the wound and, overall, help lessen the pain that comes with a small flesh wound.
And since witch hazel makes a safe disinfectant, you can even use it to clean your dogs ears. Just put a few drops on a cotton ball or swab and you are good to go
Although witch hazel can be very effective at soothing itchy bug bites on dogs, it can also make dry skin problems worse.
FAQ
Is witch hazel safe to put on dogs skin?
While using witch hazel topically on dogs is safe, and it is not known to interact with other medications, veterinarians advise pet owners to be aware of some risks. Tilford advises against applying witch hazel for dry skin conditions. “It tends to tighten and dehydrate, thus exacerbating such conditions. ”.
How can I soothe my dog’s 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.
What if dogs lick witch hazel?
Keep an eye out for odd behaviors like drooling, rubbing their nose and mouth on the ground, vomiting, or diarrhea if your dog does unintentionally consume witch hazel. Just remember to keep an eye out for redness, burns, or dry skin when applying topically.