Home Remedies For Dry Skin On Dogs: 9 Causes For Parched Skin

Dry skin is a frustrating and irritating skin disorder in dogs. Known to veterinarians as seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis, there are several causes of your dog's dry skin. However, not every reason requires medication. There are several home remedies for dry skin on dogs that you can use to help your furry friend relieve this annoying condition.

 

With the help of the holistic wellness experts at HolistaPet, we'll help you find the best home remedies for your dog's skin troubles. Let's find out what these are!

 

 

Causes Of Dry Skin On Dogs

Although dry skin on your dog might not seem like something to worry about, it can be a sign of an underlying problem. From acute infections to life-threatening disorders, there are several potential reasons why dogs suffer from dry, irritated skin. Let's take a look at some of the common causes of dry skin in dogs.

 

Allergies

When it comes to allergies, dogs are no different than humans. Dogs can suffer from numerous seasonal, environmental, and food allergies. Several symptoms can develop due to these allergies, dry skin being one of them. Skin allergies that are left untreated will eventually result in atopic dermatitis. This condition leads to redness and dry or itchy skin. A dog's dry skin may also give rise to secondary skin infections and a host of other issues.

 

Parasite Infestation

Several parasites, such as Demodex mites, can cause mange, a highly contagious skin disease in dogs. This leads to redness, rash, itchy areas, and thick, crusty skin. Only a licensed veterinarian can diagnose whether or not your dog's dry, itchy skin results from a parasitic infection. If you suspect this to be the case, immediately take your dog to the vet.

 

Several parasites that can cause dry skin in dogs include:

 

• Demodex Mite
• Canine Scabies (Mange Sarcoptic)
• Cheyletiellosis

 

Bacterial or Fungal Infections

Infections can cause several skin-related issues in dogs. Some common indicators of bacterial or fungal infections on your dog's skin may include:

 

• Dry, flaky skin
• Crusty or scaly skin
• Thickened skin
• Redness
• Itchy skin
• Foul odor
• Hyperpigmentation

 

Take your dog to a vet if you notice any of these symptoms. A veterinarian will perform a skin scrape of your dog's affected skin areas to determine the exact cause of infection and the proper course of treatment.

 

Overbathing

Bathing your dog is an integral part of their regular care. However, excessive bathing may harm your dog and impact their skin health. Frequent use of shampoo and leaving it on your dog for too long while bathing can lead to irritated skin and reduce their natural oils. These essential oils are important for your dog's skin health and protect them from environmental irritants. Without them, your dog will become more prone to dry, itchy skin, dandruff, and other skin disorders.

 

Breed-Specific Dry Skin Disorders

Several dog breeds may be prone to dry skin and other skin disorders. Generally speaking, dog breeds predisposed to these skin ailments are hairless breeds, large-breeds that grow fast, and light-colored dogs.

 

Dog breeds susceptible to skin disorders include:

 

• Alaskan Malamutes
• Boxer
• Chinese Crested
• Dalmatians
• Golden Retriever
• Labrador Retriever
• Lhasa Apso
• Poodle
• Pug
• Setters (especially Irish Setter and English Setter)
• Shar Pei
• Shih Tzu
• Siberian Huskies
• Terriers (especially Staffordshire Bull Terriers and West Highland White Terriers)
• Xoloitzcuintli

 

Humidity

Seasonal changes in temperature and humidity can be to blame for your dog's dry skin. The worst time of year for your dog's skin is winter, when the air is dry and cold. This can dry out your dog's skin rather quickly, especially if they spend a lot of time outside. Keeping your dog inside the warm comforts of your home may reduce any dry skin outbreaks. Using a humidifier to boost indoor moisture levels can also help.

 

Nutrition

Your dog's food may be the reason for their skin troubles. Low-quality dog food may lead to unhealthy skin or cause allergies that lead to dry skin. It's best to ditch your current dog food if it's packed with fillers and artificial ingredients. Only feed your high-quality dog food made with as many all-natural ingredients as possible. Limit artificial ingredients, preservatives, gluten, and concentrate on high-protein food like chicken or fish and whole foods like sweet potato and pumpkin.

 

Hormone and Metabolic Disorders

Changes to your pup's skin and coat may be the result of a disruption to their endocrine system. Several hormonal and metabolic disorders in dogs will change their skin's normal texture to one that is dry and flakey. Cushing's disease is one such disorder that can lead to an overproduction of cortisol. Too much cortisol will leave your dog's skin vulnerable and may exacerbate any current skin conditions they might have.

 

Symptoms of Dry Skin on Dogs

Not all dogs are alike when it comes to the symptoms of dry skin. Some will showcase a few symptoms, while others will suffer from several at a time. As a pet owner, it's important for you to keep an eye on any symptoms that might develop due to your dog's dry skin. If these symptoms persist or worsen, take your dog to the vet for proper treatment.

 

Here are some of the most common symptoms you can expect to see in a dog afflicted with dry skin:

 

• Depressed mood and lameness
• Excessive itching
• Constantly rolling around in an attempt to get relief from itching
• Continuous licking, biting, or scratching the skin
• Sores, scabs, and pimples resulting from excessive itching and scratching
• Red, thickened, or swollen areas of the skin
• Large, flaky skin sloughing off
• Poor coat health and condition with patches of thinning hair or hair loss
• Increased oiliness leading to dandruff and fungal infections
• A foul, damp odor coming from their coat

 

 

 

 

Home Remedies For Dry Skin On Dogs

If your dog's dry skin persists and nothing seems to work, it might be time to give natural remedies a chance. You most likely already have these holistic and all-natural solutions in your home waiting to be used on your dog. Unlike common over-the-counter solutions that might do more harm than good, these home remedies for your dog can be the difference between dry skin and healthy skin.

 

Here are some all-natural home remedies you can use for your dog's dry skin.

 

CBD Oil

CBD for dogs is available in several products ranging from treats to shampoos. But one of the most effective and versatile CBD products is CBD oil for dogs. You can incorporate CBD oil into just about everything, from your dog's drinking bowl, dog food, even each of the following home remedies for added benefit.

 

Oatmeal Bath

An oatmeal bath is exactly what it sounds like and is a great solution to your dog's dry skin. To prepare an oatmeal bath, simply add some finely ground oats to a warm water bath. Put your dog into the bath and allow them to soak for about 10-15 minutes.

 

Give your dog an oatmeal bath up to two times a week to relieve their dry skin. Once your dog's dry skin issues are resolved, bathe them only once a month.

 

Diluted Apple Cider Vinegar Spray

Apple cider vinegar has been a natural remedy for centuries thanks to its many antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Making a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle will help soothe any skin irritation your dog may have and help remove any bacterial or fungal irritants.

 

You can spray the 50/50 mixture on the affected areas. Be sure to never use this remedy on areas of the skin where there are open sores or broken and raw skin.

 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can be a great substitute for the lack of natural oils on your dog's dry skin. The viscous properties of this plant oil provide a barrier between your dog's vulnerable skin and the environment. Like apple cider vinegar, coconut oil also has several antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and is often used to alleviate allergies and insect bites in dogs.

 

Store coconut oil in your refrigerator until it hardens into a solid. Scrape some off and massage it on your dog's dry skin. Not only will coconut oil keep your dog's skin healthy, but you'll improve their coat as well!

 

Plain Sugar-Free Yogurt

Your pup's dry skin may be the result of several digestive issues. However, feeding your dog some plain sugar-free yogurt can help to alleviate these issues and do wonders for your dog's skin. Feeding your dog one to two teaspoons of yogurt a week will ease digestive issues that lead to dry skin.

 

Feed your dog one (small dogs) to two (big dogs) teaspoons of plain sugar-free yogurt a week. But before you do, consult your vet about any possible issues your dog may have consuming yogurt.

 

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has several anti-inflammatory properties that can help your dog's skin problems. You can make your own aloe vera gel by taking a leaf, cutting it open, and scraping the gooey gel out. Apply a thin layer to your pooch's dry, flaky skin to give them relief.

 

Aloe vera gel has a bitter taste and will not be to your dog's liking. The gel is unsafe for dogs to consume. However, it's very safe and a great natural remedy when it comes to topical application of it.

 

Related Post: Aloe Vera for Dogs - 7 Top Benefits + Safety Tips 

 

Caring And Future Preventative Maintenance

By using the natural home remedies mentioned above, you will be able to treat your dog's dry skin and help prevent this condition from becoming a recurring issue. Adding CBD products to your dog's general care will also provide another layer of protection.

 

CBD shampoo, like the one we have for sale in our Holistapet shop, is a great way to give your dog CBD during their regular care. Not only will your doggy feel fresh and clean, but they'll also benefit from CBD's many wellness properties. In addition to CBD shampoo, there are several other ways you can give your dog CBD, which we'll get into later.

 

Why Use Products Containing CBD?

CBD products are an all-natural, holistic solution to your dog's dry skin problems. How does CBD accomplish this? Every mammal on Earth has an endocannabinoid system (ECS), including your dog. Present throughout your dog's body and skin surface are cell-signaling receptors that help maintain key homeostatic properties such as mood, appetite, digestive health, and, of course, skin health.

 

Enter cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD. This hemp-derived cannabinoid works with your ECS to help support your dog's overall wellness and can lead to healthier skin with regular consumption. With CBD, you won't just find a solution to your dog's skin problems, but you'll give your dog more soundness and general wellbeing.

 

 

CBD Products For Dogs With Dry Skin

When it comes to CBD products for your dog, don't settle for any brand. Shop with Holistapet to give your dog the best CBD products around. We make all of our products with your dog's health and safety in mind.

 

There are several ways you can give CBD to your dog. Here are some of the most popular CBD products to help your dog with their dry skin issues and boost their overall health:

 

• Oil Tincture For Dogs: Highly versatile, you can add this tincture to your dog's drinking bowl, food, or give it to them directly. You can also incorporate CBD oil drops into all of the natural remedies we previously mentioned.
• Shampoo: Keep this holistic shampoo handy to improve their coat, hydrate their skin, and provide the many benefits of CBD from bathing.
• Capsules: You can give this to your dog directly, crack a capsule open and sprinkle the distillate onto their food, or hide it in their favorite soft treat.
• Wellness Treats: Packed with delicious blueberry and sweet potato flavor, these treats are formulated with your dog's general soundness in mind. Give these to your dog every day so that they can benefit from the many therapeutic properties of CBD.
• Mobility Treats: If your dog suffers from stiff joints or mobility issues, these treats are the perfect remedy. Flavored with pumpkin spice and cinnamon, your dog will be up and running in no time.
• Calming Relief Treats: If your dog's itchy skin makes them nervous, then these green apple and peanut butter flavored treats are the perfect remedy. Relieve your dog's nerves with these crunchy calming treats.
• Mobility Chews: This is a great alternative for older dogs and dogs with dental issues who may find our crunchy mobility treats hard to swallow. Give these mobility chews to your dog to help them get around and improve their agility.
• Calming Chews: Like our mobility chews, these calming chews are a great alternative to their crunchy treat counterparts. If you see your dog getting skittish from all that dry skin, give them a chew to calm them down.

 

Why Choose Holistapet?

Pet owners love our commitment to improving their dog's health with the power of CBD. We know that your dog's dry skin results from the many harmful chemicals, additives, preservatives, and fillers in their food and wellness products. You won't have to worry about any of that here.

 

We make all of our dog products with the following assurances to guarantee your dog's safety:

 

• Made from 100% all-natural ingredients
• Made from USA-grown organic hemp
• 100% Farm Bill compliant
• 100% Cruelty-free
• Third-party lab tested for safety and potency
• All broad spectrum hemp-derived products: Contains no THC

 

Want to make sure you never run out of CBD dog products again and keep your dog's skin looking and feeling healthy? Become a member of our free subscription services to have our CBD dog products delivered directly to your doorstep bi-weekly or monthly. With this service, you'll also save 25% on every order all the time!

 

 

 

 

Final thoughts - Home Remedies For Dry Skin On Dogs

A frustrating sight for pet owners is seeing their precious pooch suffering from dry skin and its many related issues. However, there is no need to panic. Pet parents can implement several home remedies to help alleviate their best friend's flakey skin. Adding CBD to these home remedies, owners will not only ensure their dog will have beautiful, hydrated skin, but they'll help limit this irritating skin issue from becoming a long-term problem.

 

If you want to give your dog some much-needed dry skin relief, head on over to our shop and get some CBD oil and CBD shampoo for dogs. Your canine companion will love you for it.