Itching (Pruritus) in dogs is a sign that something is wrong, not a specific issue. Still, it creates an unpleasant sensation which encourages your dog to scratch, bite or lick their skin, causing baldness or sores.
It is usually a sign of parasites, infections, and allergies which will need attention too, but to tackle the itching itself, you can use skin relief like the topical or food supplements below.
These are the best treatments for dry, itchy dog skin.
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For dogs prone to feeling a bit itchy, or ones which have just had a case of fleas or diet change and need some relief, this mix of oils can just be put onto their food for ease.
There are various variations to try – Itching Dog, Moulting Dog and the Skin Cream all cater to different issues, but it is the Itchy Dog which will likely be best for most situations.
It comes in an easy to use pump bottle, and there is a good guide on how much to give them using the included measurer. The ingredients are entirely natural, with GLA from Starflower (Borage) to reduce itching and scratching and Salmon Oil to calm and soothe itchy skin, as well as other oils and added vitamins.
It is trusted by breeders and vets, and you can expect results in just 4-6 weeks.
If your dog can sniff out any changes to their food a mile away, a topical treatment may be best. This gel will not only soothe their itchy skin and prevent further scratching but will also reduce wound licking.
It’s pH balanced for no-sting application which will keep them comfortable, and each bottle is soft-squeeze with a built-in applicator tip for a mess-free job.
It can also be used on any superficial wounds or grazes as well as dry skin, so is a great all-rounder to have to hand.
Easy to use, by just sprinkling a set amount on their food every day, this supplement has a host of reviews saying how great it has been when all else failed.
It promotes a healthy coat as well as less dry skin and also aids the natural pigmentation process. There is a really clear feeding guide, and for any dogs 50kg+ on 10.5g per day, it will last for 47 days so is also great value.
Perfect for any dogs who can take tablets rolled in a bit of ham or cheese, these conditioning tablets have a host of great reviews.
It can also be mixed in with food is they need to have quite a few of them daily; a dog over 30kg could have up to 20 every day for serious conditions. They can also be used as treats for any dogs who aren’t suspicious, with an appealing savoury flavour.
There are other items in the range too, such as Evening Primrose tablets and Conditioner Tablets once the issue has cleared up and you want to continue ensuring their coat is cared for.
The only downside is that bigger dogs may need quite a few every day, which could be a struggle for fussy pups, but it may still be better than liquids or creams.
This supplement can simply be sprinkled over your dog’s food every day which means it is easy for you to use, and accepted by any dog.
It contains Golden Flax Oil, Salmon Oil, Purified Fish Oil, and Starflower Oil as well as Vitamin E, which heals them from the inside. The aim is to reduce the itchy skin and then reduce the likelihood they will carry on aggravating their skin.
There is a measure provided, and guidelines on how much to give your dog depending on their weight. It is also recommended that you ease them into using it, so it is perfectly safe.
This balm is nutty-smelling and designed to soothe the skin and help to heal multiple skin ailments, including cuts, rashes, acne, abrasions, burns, surgical wounds, and hot spots.
It not only soothes the issue but also creates a barrier so it can prevent any contamination. A lot of the natural ingredients have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, including myrrh, cocoa butter, lavender and chamomile.
It can be applied up to three times daily and is Organic, vegan and cruelty-free. Because there is only a bit in the tin, it is best for real spot-treatment issues.
Can’t keep them still long enough to apply creams? Do they detect that something has been added to their food before they have even gone near it?
This spray can relieve itching from fleas, allergies or general day to day loose hairs. Just spray it onto the affected areas up to 3 times per day, and then gently rub it into the skin if possible. It contains natural ingredients, and the lack of future scratching should promote hair growth again.
There is also added limonella oil which will discourage them from biting or licking wounds.
Good for itchy, irritated skin and redness, as well as minor cuts and abrasions, moisturising dry, flaky skin and keeping everything conditioned.
Adding it to their food will be easy for most dogs, and also improves their general wellbeing as well as eliminating bad breath. But it isn’t just an edible liquid – you can also use it as a massage cream for soothing particularly bad areas, or as a shampoo when combined with the Stinky Stuff shampoo base (included with purchase), if they are generally itchy all over.
Don’t worry about something being edible and topical not sounding quite right. It is perfectly safe, and 100% natural.
Completely natural, this complimentary food product contains Omega 3, Oat Groats and Vitamins A and E.
Just give your dog 1 x 5ml teaspoon per 10kg weight every day, and see the results in just a few weeks. The reason for the oat groats is that they contain Avenanthramides, which have been shown to have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties.
It is an easier way to give dogs what they need without tablets or topical treatments, and there is no wheat, beef or soya included, so it is safe for dogs with allergies.
The contents of this shampoo are made from veterinary specification chemicals including chloroxylenol, salicylic acid and sodium thiosulphate to give outstanding skin cleansing.
If your dog suffers from dermatitis, a poor coat and flaky or greasy skin, Coatex is a gentle yet effective shampoo that will treat the problem.
It’s a shampoo that has been recommended by vets and trusted by pet owners for over twenty years, so you can trust that this won’t harm or aggravate your dog’s skin further.
There are various forms of itchy skin relief, and you may have a preference depending on what is easiest for you and your dog.
However, ingestible treatments such as food or tablets are best for conditions where the dry skin seems to be all over, and topical are great for targeting certain patches or body parts.
This is added to your dog’s meal, either in liquid or solid form
Can be added to food but most commonly hidden in treats
Creams, sprays or spot-ons which are applied directly to dry skin patches and rubbed in. Also stops them from licking or biting
The good news is that the majority of the above are completely natural. Obviously, if we are talking about soothing skin, there can’t be any ingredients which will aggravate it further.
Look out for things such as chamomile, lavender, Evening Primrose oil, vegetable and animal oils and vitamins. Do always check that there is nothing in there which you know your dog is allergic to.
Yes. But do be aware that if there is a cause to the itching, such as fleas or allergies, these issues will have to be tackled too. Itchy skin relief can’t just be used to mask these problems.
This may involve using flea treatments regularly or changing their diet. Talk to your vet if you are unsure of what is causing the itchiness.
Some dogs are just naturally itchy, whether it be from dry skin or loose hairs. In these less serious cases, a good brush and increase of humidity in your home can also help.
