Dry skin and itchy ears are common problems that every dog has to face at some point in their life. They can experience dry skin and itching ears if they have allergies, are stressed, or have ear mites. While these problems could have many causes, they can all make your dogs uncomfortable and compel them to do constant scratching.
That’s why it’s important to keep your furry friends groomed and healthy. Not only does regular pet care and maintenance keep them looking their best and smelling their best, but it also helps keep them happy. However, these things might be difficult for pet owners without some handy tips at their hands.
Using Apoquel for dogs can help prevent different skin allergies and itchiness in your dogs. You should always use this medicine with your vet’s recommendations, who can give you the best advice on how to make the most out of these medicines.
However, there are always certain tips that can be followed at home to ensure the well-being and happiness of your dog. The below-given tips can provide you with a better idea of how to take care of your dogs, especially when they are more prone to skin allergies and itchy ears.
Feed Your Dog the Right Food
Never be under the false assumption that you’re doing your dog a favor by giving them table scraps. The reality is it’s not doing anything good for their skin at all. However, the wrong diet can make things worse for you and your pet.
Fortunately, there are some ways that can help you protect their skin from dryness and itchiness, including a well-balanced diet that fulfills their requirements.
Avoid giving the following foods to your dogs:
- Meat – Raw or cooked meat can lead to the growth of bacteria in your dog’s digestive system, which can cause stomach problems and diarrhea.
- Dairy products – Avoid any dairy products as they consist of lactose that can cause diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
- Onions & garlic – These are toxic when eaten raw (even in small amounts) due to thiosulphate compounds found in these foods. Thus, it’s best to avoid them unless cooked thoroughly first.
Instead, use supplements that contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids. These are great for dogs having issues with dryness and are known for improving the health of skin and coat.
Wash Your Dog Regularly
There are many benefits of washing and drying your dogs at home. A thorough washing can help prevent different problems related to skin and ears. Typically, it’s recommended to wash your dog’s ears once every two weeks, based on how much he spends outside, gets dirty during the week, etc.
It is also important that you use a gentle shampoo and conditioner, which will ensure the minimum possible irritation in his skin and ears. Plus, you will need to ensure that whatever clothes or towels you use should not be scratchy so as not to damage your dog’s sensitive skin any further.
The next step you should take is to dry off those floppy flaps after bathing them with warm water and a shampoo/conditioner combo. Make sure you gently pat dry each ear flap with a hand towel until all the moisture is removed.
Use a Good Shampoo and Conditioner
By using a good shampoo and conditioner, you can prevent skin allergies and dryness. But make sure you use a shampoo that is specifically designed for dogs. The same is true for using conditioner on your pet’s coat. Moreover, consider using a shampoo that is suitable for the type of skin condition your dog has, such as sensitive or oily skin.
Keep in mind that different breeds have different hair types. For example, many dogs with long coats will benefit from using products intended to moisturize their body and keep the fur healthy during grooming sessions; however, this might not be necessary if you have an animal with shorter hair (like an indoor cat).
Use a Humidifier in Your Home
While the dog’s body can adapt itself to the external environment, he can still get seasonal allergies because of dry skin and itchy ears. The need for a humidifier in your home becomes higher, especially when you live in a dry area.
A humidifier assists in keeping the air moist, which is particularly helpful during winter months when heating dries out the air around our environment. By humidifying your home, it will be easier for you to minimize the likelihood of dry skin, itchiness, allergies, and problems for both humans and pets.
Summing Up
Don’t be surprised by the fact that I didn’t include the vet, or the pet experts, in this list. While they can provide the easiest and most guaranteed solution to different problems of your pets, we try to cover the tips that you can easily follow at your home. These home remedies are like the preventive measures you can take to avoid and relieve allergies and itchiness in your dog.
However, this can seem like a daunting list of things to check off, but remember that the important thing is to keep an eye on your dog’s ears and skin and talk with a veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.