If you have a dog on your hands who is scratching and chewing at her skin, it’s likely that she is dealing with an underlying medical condition that requires attention.
“Dogs typically don’t have sensitive skin unless they have underlying diseases,” says Dr. Justine Lee, a board-certified emergency care and toxicology specialist and author of "It's a Dog's Life... but It's Your Carpet." She says that skin sensitivities can result from conditions such as canine atopy (environmental allergies), flea allergy dermatitis or—in rare cases—food allergies.
Dr. Rachel Barrack, founder of Animal Acupuncture in New York City, adds that itchy skin can also be caused by autoimmune or endocrine diseases and often require veterinary intervention.
“Your veterinarian may recommend corticosteroids, oral drugs (such as antibiotics and antihistamines), medicated baths or topical creams and ointments,” says Barrack. “Do not attempt to treat by utilizing products formulated for people, as these can be very detrimental for your pet.”
Luckily there are a variety of pet-specific products to help your itchy dog find relief. Here are our top six recommendations:
Flea Medication
Flea allergy dermatitis is a common allergic reaction that dogs have to flea bites. Symptoms include extreme itching and discomfort, scaling, hyperpigmentation, and potential bacterial and yeast infections that can develop over time. “Even if one flea bites your dog, it can cause a severe reaction,” says Lee. “You always want to talk to your vet about using a good flea and tick medication.”
Flea medication comes in a variety of forms, but Lee prefers the oral options available to pet parents. “They are more effective and kill fleas quickly,” she says.
Aloe or Oatmeal Dog Shampoos
Dog shampoos are essential for general pet hygiene, but some products are formulated specifically to help soothe a dog’s skin. “Shampoos with added ingredients, like oatmeal and aloe, tend to be a good treatment for sensitive skin,” says Sarah Lutz, a professional groomer with Woofie's Pet Sitting, Dog Walking and Mobile Pet Spa in Ashburn, Virginia. “They are highly moisturizing and will soothe dry or itchy skin. They can also help calm redness and reduce inflammation from constant scratching or chewing.”
When choosing a shampoo for a dog with skin sensitivities it’s important to read the ingredient label and look for natural options. “Shampoos full of unnecessary ingredients and fragrances can be drying and cause skin irritations and even allergies for some dogs,” Lutz adds.
Anti-Itch Sprays
Although not a long-term solution, Sierra Gwinn, a grooming stylist with PetCoach, says that anti-itch sprays can offer fast relief for itchy dogs. “Pet parents should look for either a hydrocortisone or aloe spray,” she says. “If itching continues for more than a few days, I recommend that they follow up with their vet because there could be an underlying health issue.”
Omega Fatty Acid Supplements
Both Lee and Barrack suggest speaking with your veterinarian about the different types of omega fatty acid supplements that are formulated specifically for dogs. “They replace some of the natural oils in your dog’s skin,” says Lee, who gives her own dogs a chewable omega fatty acid supplement.
Barrack specifically recommends looking for supplements with omega-3 fatty acids such as Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). “These fatty acids help control the hormones that produce inflammation, which is a prevalent component of skin sensitivity and associated discomfort,” she says. “Consult with your veterinarian before adding any supplements to your pet’s repertoire.”
Novel-Protein Dog Food
Although food allergies in dogs are rare, Lee says that it may be necessary to work with a veterinarian to introduce new protein sources into your dog’s diet.
“If you’ve ruled out that it’s not fleas and your vet has ruled out that it’s not hay fever, then sometimes [your vet will] do food challenges with a novel protein such as venison, duck, rabbit] or a new protein that your dog has never been exposed to,” says Lee. This helps to identify the ingredient or ingredients that may be causing your dog’s allergies.
Coconut Oil or Shea Butter
If you’re looking for an all-natural topical option for soothing a dog’s itchy or sensitive skin, coconut oil or shea butter-based products can be beneficial, says Gwinn.
“Coconut oil can be added into a dog's shampoo routine as a natural remedy for healing or treating skin sensitivities,” she says. “Shea butter adds moisture back into dry skin and can be helpful if used on dry patches that lead to dander.”
All of the products in this article have been approved for use by Dr. Christie Long, PetCoach’s chief veterinarian.