7 Holistic Remedies for Your Dog's Itchy, Irritated Skin

In Order From Least to Most Recommended

Is your dog constantly scratching, licking, or biting their skin?

Do you hate seeing them suffer from persistent hot spots, inflamed skin, redness, and irritation?

We feel your pain. We're dog people here at WINPRO Pet, and we can't stand seeing our dogs uncomfortable.

Here's the challenge: The approach to treating irritated skin isn't always straightforward. For one thing, dogs can't tell us what's wrong, and that makes it a lot harder to figure out where the problem lies.

And then there's a matter of treatment.

Many available medications can indeed provide relief, but growing concerns about potential side effects and long-term health have led many pet owners seeking gentler, more natural solutions.

This has sparked a significant amount of interest in holistic alternatives that can soothe and heal without the risk of adverse reactions.

So with that said, what are the most effective natural remedies for managing your dog's skin discomfort?

Well, we've done the research and compiled what we believe are the 7 most best holistic remedies for alleviating itchy and irritated skin in dogs. In this post, we'll share all 7, in order from least recommended to most recommended.

Before we get into the details, here's a chart summarizing our results:

Go here to learn more about our top-rated remedy for irritated skin, WINPRO Plasma-Infused Soft Chews for Allergies.

Or read on to learn more about all 7 remedies for irritated skin in dogs:

1: Aloe Vera

Safety rating: 6/10

Effectiveness rating: 5/10

Convenience rating: 4/10

Total Score: 15/30

Aloe Vera, known for its cooling and healing properties, offers a natural solution for your dog’s hot spots and skin irritations. While not a cure-all, it can offer a quick soothing touch to the affected areas. However, caution is necessary… aloe vera should not be ingested by dogs due to potential toxicity.

When it comes to effectiveness, Aloe Vera does bring a soothing comfort to irritated skin, but its capabilities may be limited for more persistent or deep-rooted conditions. It’s essential to use only pure, additive-free aloe to avoid any adverse reactions.

The main drawback is the maintenance involved. The continuous monitoring to ensure your dog doesn't ingest the aloe, along with the daily application, makes it less than ideal for pet owners looking for convenience. Plus, if your dog’s skin troubles are a sign of a deeper issue, such as allergies, aloe vera will only provide temporary relief, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to your dog’s skin health.

2: Apple Cider Vinegar

Safety rating: 8/10

Effectiveness rating: 2/10

Convenience rating: 6/10

Total Score: 16/30

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is sometimes suggested as a natural approach to manage itchy and irritated skin in dogs. It’s typically recommended for external use, diluted with water, and applied directly to the skin.

In our own experience, we’ve tested a homemade mixture using a 50/50 ratio of water and ACV, applied with a spray bottle. The results were mixed. While there appeared to be a slight immediate soothing effect, it didn't seem to last very long.

It is worth noting that ACV is generally safe for external use and quite convenient to apply. However, its effectiveness can vary from one dog to another. If your dog seems to find comfort in ACV application, it might serve as a handy aid for those moments when their skin seems particularly bothered.

3: Oatmeal Baths

Safety rating: 10/10

Effectiveness rating: 6/10

Convenience rating: 3/10

Total Score: 19/30

Oatmeal baths tap into the natural anti-inflammatory properties of oatmeal, offering relief for itchy and irritated skin. When finely ground and mixed into a bath, oatmeal can help soothe your dog’s discomfort. It’s most effective for managing mild to moderate skin irritations.

The safety of oatmeal baths is high, as they are unlikely to cause any adverse reactions when used correctly. However, the process of preparing the bath — grinding the oatmeal and ensuring it's adequately dispersed in the water — can be somewhat tedious and time-consuming.

The biggest challenge with oatmeal baths is the potential mess and the effort required for clean-up. Additionally, keeping an itchy dog calm and contained in a bath for sufficient time to get relief can test the patience of both the dog and owner. Despite these hurdles, for those committed to natural remedies, an oatmeal bath might just be the soothing solution your furry friend needs.

4: Hypoallergenic Shampoo

Safety rating: 10/10

Effectiveness rating: 6/10

Convenience rating: 4/10

Total Score: 20/30

Just like people can carry allergens like cat dander on their hands, dogs can collect pollen and other outdoor irritants in their fur during a playful day outside. These can cause their skin to become itchy and irritated.

Using a hypoallergenic shampoo is a gentle way to cleanse your dog’s skin and fur, potentially providing relief from the discomfort caused by these external irritants. These shampoos are formulated to be safe and soothing, making them a suitable option for dogs with sensitive skin.

While this approach is effective for surface irritants, its main drawback is the amount of time and effort required. Regular bathing can be time-consuming and may not be the most convenient for busy pet parents. Plus, for dogs that aren’t fans of bath time, this could be an additional challenge. However, for immediate relief from topical irritants, a hypoallergenic shampoo could be a useful part of your dog care toolkit.

5: Coconut Oil

Safety rating: 8/10

Effectiveness rating: 7/10

Convenience rating: 5/10

Total Score: 20/30

Coconut oil has been praised for its moisturizing properties, offering a quick fix for your dog’s itchy and irritated skin. But it’s not without complications. If you apply coconut oil to your dog’s skin, there’s a good chance they’ll try to lick it off. While a little bit of coconut oil is generally safe for dogs to ingest, too much can upset their stomach.

For effectiveness, it’s best to let the oil sit on the skin for about five minutes before washing it off, and here’s where things get a bit tricky. To prevent your dog from ingesting the oil, it might be necessary to cover the area with a bandage or piece of cloth, which isn't always practical or comfortable for your dog.

Failing to wash off the oil not only leaves your dog with a greasy coat, but can also turn them into a walking dust magnet, making a mess of both your dog and your home. So while coconut oil can be a soothing situation, it’s far from the most convenient one.

6: Fish Oil

Safety rating: 9/10

Effectiveness rating: 6/10

Convenience rating: 7/10

Total Score: 22/30

Fish oil, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, is often recommended to help with inflammation and promote skin health in dogs. Its natural anti-inflammatory effects can provide some relief for itchy and irritated skin, making it a popular choice for pet parents looking to ease their dogs’ discomfort.

When it comes to fish oil, not all dogs respond the same. Some might find significant relief, while others could see no noticeable effect or may even scratch more. This inconsistency could be tied to the varying sources and qualities of fish oil, with Omega-3’s fluctuating from one product to the next. Unlike more targeted approaches, fish oil acts as a broad dietary supplement and might not pinpoint specific skin concerns.

A practical downside is the fishy smell that may linger on your dog’s breath or coat after using fish oil. It’s a small trade-off that some pet parents are willing to accept for the chance at providing their dogs with some relief from skin irritation.

7: Plasma-Infused Soft Chews

Safety rating: 10/10

Effectiveness rating: 8/10

Convenience rating: 10/10

Total Score: 28/30

Here’s our top pick. WINPRO Allergy stands out with a combination of ease and effectiveness, tackling your dog’s itchy skin from the inside out. While the other methods we’ve discussed provide various benefits, WINPRO chews are specifically designed to reduce inflammation, which is often at the root of most skin irritations.

These tasty treats are infused with spray-dried plasma (SDP), a component packed with healing properties, especially effective against skin inflammation. Just one or two treats each day can lead to noticeable improvements, helping your pup feel better in their own skin. And unlike common remedies that only address symptoms, WINPRO Allergy chews go deeper, targeting the underlying cause of discomfort.

Backed by over 40 years of conclusive scientific research and proven to work in over 300 university studies, these treats are not just another supplement. They’re a scientifically proven method to help your dog feel better. And because they’re made with high-quality, consistent ingredients, you won’t have to worry about the unpredictability you might find with other natural remedies.

There are thousands of dog parents like you who continue to post rave reviews like these:

Try WINPRO Allergy Today

If your dog is suffering from itchy, irritated skin, we can’t recommend WINPRO Allergy enough. It contains the blood plasma that carries healing properties throughout your dog’s body to target areas of inflammation, providing support for discomfort and scratching.

It’s designed to offer immediate soothing while also serving as a preventative to keep those pesky irritations at bay.

In addition, our allergy formula also includes:

• Pineapple stem to promote healing and calm inflammation

• Nettle root extract to minimize pain and soothe irritation

• Plant-based quercetin to act as a natural, side-effect-free antihistamine

This 100% natural & safe product is tested under strict USDA & FDA regulations to guarantee you're giving your dog the safest, healthiest treat we can create.

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