Relieving Itching for Dogs

Relieving Itching for Dogs

I have a fox terrier who has been taking prednisone. However, he is still itchy around the eye, behind the ears, and the bottom of the paws. Apparently he is allergic to grass. He has lost the hair around his eyes, behind his ears, and is always chewing his paws. I am looking for something to put on these areas that would help relieve the itch. Can you recommend anything?

Jenny from Charters Towers, Australia

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RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Plain old hydro cortisone works for our dog. She has mild allergies and any area that she is itching or licking I put some of this on it. My vet told me that this is perfectly acceptable and what he would have done, only much more expensively. I bought the generic store brand. Good luck! (11/07/2005)

By smcarney

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Our vet recommended something called bitter apple spray sold at pet stores (like Petco or Petsmart), to keep our dog from itching. (11/07/2005)

By imaqt1962

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

I use a shampoo that I got from the Vet. It is called, Aloe & Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs and Cats. It is made by VET Solutions and is sold only through Veterinarians. You can use this on a weekly basis, because it does not remove natural oils. I hope this helps. (11/07/2005)

By djcrews at charter.net

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Watch the prednisone. It is a cortisone and dogs can only tolerate it for so long. (11/07/2005)

By djcrews at charter.net

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Try bathing him in an oatmeal shampoo for dogs, and then see your vet for a prescription for his allergies. (11/07/2005)

By Robin

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Poor doggie. To prevent his grass allergy, maybe try setting a corner of your yard with gravel (after removing grass) and letting the dog use the gravel area for potty. I have put EMU oil on one of my dogs for itching, and no more itching. The dog had scratched his belly and then kept scratching it more. The EMU oil seemed to help heal fast and no more scratching at his belly. (11/07/2005)

By meoowmom

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

If the dog is on Prednisone, you will always have trouble. He will develop all kinds of irreversible problems. My dog was allergic to grass, and was placed on Prednisone. He continued to itch, lose hair, and developed Diabetes, which went into blindness, and his kidneys failed. The over the counter creams help, but not around the eyes, get something from the vet for the eyes. The creams on his feet will only last as long as he doesn't lick it off. The Bitter Apple spray is just torture for the animal. (11/08/2005)

By Sue

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

We have a kelpie with grass allergies too, the main symptom being chewing at his paws. Last season saw constant vet visits and steroids which he reacted to. Tricks we've now found help are 1) improve his diet. Kibble doesn't give him enough enzymes that veggies and meat do 2) increase his omega 3+6. Drops can be added to food 3) use a barrier cream before going outside - such as Vaseline 4) regular foot baths in medicated shampoo such as Malaseb which helps control any secondary infections 5) topical creams when it gets too bad - nappy rash cream works best, also my eczema cream. Don't let him lick it off though - take him for a walk! It can be a long, repetitive process but it's worth it if he can stay off the medications which made him lose energy, interest, and dried out his skin. (11/08/2005)

By susie

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Try to keep him out of the grass until you get your winter. If he goes out in your yard, can you plant something other than grass for him to play and "go" in? (11/09/2005)

By Carol

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

I have a lab/chow mix who has allergies. We give him antihistamines during his allergic period, late summer and early fall, ragweed is his problem. We are also in the process of doing the allergy shots, very expensive but worth it if it works. But try Benadryl, very cheap over the counter. (11/09/2005)

By Marfette

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Get your dog a 'cool cot' for use outdoors. They come in various sizes. It's a low taut mesh 'sling' or platform that the dog can lie on, keeping him out of the grass while reducing contact with the vegetation whenever he's outdoors. Another advantage is that it keeps them cooler in the summer as the air can circulate underneath them, and it keeps any raw skin out of the dirt (reducing secondary bacterial infections). You can even make one yourself using plastic plumbing pipe, and sewing the velcro-attachable fabric portion out of something sturdy that can take the sun. Ebay sells them too, some dealers have returns that are 'like new' - just the box was damaged, or someone returned it because their dog outgrew the original size too fast! I bought ours from eBay, and it was about $20 for the medium-large size. You'd probably need the large size for your dog, you want it large enough so they'll be able to stretch out on it to snooze. No problem with our puppy getting used to it, as soon as I put it down, he recognized that it was 'his' place. He likes the fact that it's about 4 to 5" off the ground, he gets a better vantage point to watch the goings on (and to launch himself off it to play). Good luck, and call your vet for more ideas! Anne (11/09/2005)

By Anne from MD

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

My dog is allergic to a lot of things too. I made him some waterproof booties for the winter, and some where air can come in for the summer so he walk in the grass. Also if you put a light weight shirt on him in the summer when he goes outside, it will keep pollen and other things from getting on him and making him itch. (01/17/2007)

By Boomer_Squirt

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

You can give your small dog 1-2 ml per every lb of body weight of benadryl. For example: a 10 lb dog gets 10 ml of benadryl. (07/13/2008)

By tiff

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

I had a Cairn terrier that I received via rescue. She wore her back raw from itching and biting due to the fleas that she had from prior family and the bad food that they were feeding. The vet suggested hydro cortisone for it and after a while she cleared up. Some years later in her age, she contracted more allergies and started itching again. Now I know that they were just seasonal and the vet put her on the cortisone again. Remember to ALWAYS wean the dog off of steroids such as cortisone by slowly reducing the dosage at the end of taking it. I was not told to do it and my dog contracted Addisons disease. This required quite a lot of money to get her back to normal, and prescription medicine for the rest of her life which was only another 1 1/2 years. Be careful and never allow the use of steroids in your dog unless no other remedy is available. (08/22/2008)

By Brodybear

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Relieving Itching for Dogs

My chihuahua is constantly itching. The Vet put her on a type of steroid and said she couldn't be on it too long. Does anyone have a suggestion on helping her stop the itching? Thanks.

Terry from New York

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RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

My vet suggested benadryl. It works great for my dog. (09/10/2008)

By lfsm1963

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

http://www.nextag.com/fish-antibiotic/products-html Try "fish flex". It is the same as a dog antibiotic that begins with a c (I forgot the name). It works for itching in dogs. It is great and you will see a difference in two days. Don't give up, give it a few more days if he doesn't stop itching in a couple days. It is a miracle drug. It worked on my chihuahua and my friend's yorkie. (09/10/2008)

By Terry

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Sounds like a food or contact allergy. Assuming he doesn't have fleas, try changing his food. Beef, corn, and wheat are common allergens. Try a chicken and rice or lamb and rice food. Buy the smallest bag possible, and feed for at least a week and see if that helps. Petco will allow you to return anything, even opened food, if necessary, if you keep the receipt. (09/11/2008)

By Linda

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

There is an ointment I got from www.Petco.com. It's called, Hydro cortisone Spray for Dogs & Cats. Find out what is making your baby itch if you can. Dorie (09/11/2008)

By Dorie

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Benadryl is a good thing to try, it is an antihistamine and can also be taken by mouth for such things as the itching from poison oak and chicken pox. It can make the dog sleepy. Bitter apple spray makes the itchy spot taste terrible to the dog, but it won't stop the itching. (09/11/2008)

By rae

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

My friend used Skin So Soft Oil on her Pomeranian and said it relieved the itching. (09/11/2008)

By Valley Gal

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

My friend had an itchy lassie and she spent tons of money on prescription meds, over the counter meds, and "miracle cures". I finally got fed up as she would not try my idea. I went over for a visit and had a tub sock filled with regular uncooked oatmeal. First, I rinsed her and gently washed the dog with baby shampoo then rinsed her again. We put her kiddie pool on the patio table under shade, while we took turns rubbing her softly with the oatmeal tube sock. It really helped. (09/12/2008)

By meoowmom

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Tea tree oil on the itchy spots helped clear up my little Maltese's sore spots and then he quit itching. I also found out he had a food allergy. I started feeding him Eukenuba Sensitive Skin Dog Food and he quit having problems. http://www.savingspotpourri.blogspot.com/ (09/19/2008)

By Savings Assistant

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Petco has an all natural spray for hot spots and itching. I had a rottweiler that I had used it on and it worked well. (09/20/2008)

By darlooney

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

If it is a contact allergy, is your dog exposed to wool? Woolen blanket, carpet, etc.? Here is my collection of internet Hot Spot suggestions. I can't tell you the sources, nor how trustworthy they are, but I am sure you'll get a few ideas:

A common question is how to handle hot spots and pests on pets. The best control comes from feeding animals a diet that does not contain synthetic toxic preservatives. The best commercial dog and cat food is Muenster Natural. It is the only line of pet foods and horse feeds I know that contain natural diatomaceous earth and no chemical preservatives. Add natural diatomaceous earth to the food daily. Muenster Natural contains it already. A little apple cider vinegar in the drinking water can also help as well as The Missing Link supplement.

Comfrey tea can be used topically for dog skin allergies. Cook a mess of comfrey greens, dilute the cool pot liquor down to a light iced tea color and pour or dab onto the hot spots or into the dog's fur. Comfrey is very powerful, so don't use more than once a month and only when needed.

Cornmeal juice is also good and can be used more often. Put a cup of whole ground cornmeal in a 5 gallon bucket of water, let it sit in the sun a couple of hours, strain out the solids and apply to the skin liberally.

Bathing the dogs in herbal shampoos that contain orange oil (d-limonene) and tea tree (melaleuca) will also help. Dry cornmeal, horticultural or whole ground cornmeal, dusted onto problem skin areas is also helpful, if the skin problems are fungal. Listerine and baby oil sprayed and massaged thoroughly into the skin on the itchy spot, as soon as it starts, also helps. (10/24/2008)

By cookwie

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Relieving Itching for Dogs

My Jack Russell terrier seems to have allergies year round and a cortisone shot every few weeks relieves her itching. But this fall, nothing helps. She is a 7 year old female, mostly indoors. No fleas or ticks; she just scratches all the time. I have tried baths, cortisone cream, raw food, antihistamines. Any ideas?

G. from Oklahoma City

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RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

My dog had the same problem. He is now taking an omega-3 supplement. It is for skin and coat, and treats inflammation due to allergies. Since he started on it, he scratches much less. The one I got was from www.healthypetnet.com, and other pet supply sites have it as well. (10/29/2008)

By leelev

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

My dog had the same problem. I give her a Vitamin E, 200 mg every day. It took a couple of weeks to start to work, but she has not had any issues for the last 2 years since I started her on them. (10/30/2008)

By chris

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Ask your Vet before giving the dog Benadryl. I suggest that you might try a different dog food. My dog did well on one that had avocados in it. I can't recall the name right now. Buddy died 4 years ago. (10/30/2008)

By Har'iet

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Benadryl works. It relieves the itching from the inside out. (10/31/2008)

By castleberrycc

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

My Vet says steroids are not good for dogs. They work in the short term, but may cause harm over the years. I use a tabletop humidifier, and also an old dutch oven (holds several quarts of water on the stove to be simmered or boiled on the stove, depending on the humidity), and I use a mild shampoo that includes a conditioner. I also give my dogs an Omega 3-6-9 soft gel that my Vet regulates. I cannot regulate it, as it is a dietary supplement. You must talk to your Vet about it. The Omega 3-6-9 can cause loose stool in some dogs, so the Vet must regulate it. My Best To You! (11/09/2008)

By Carol R.

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Relieving Itching for Dogs

We have four dogs. Two golden retrievers and two small poodles. My male retriever has a very bad sore on his left foot, on the top and on the side. We have been to the vet. He gave him an antibiotic and a head cone. It looked like it was gone so I took off the cone. Within a week it came right back.

I clean it regularly with peroxide and a pain and itch relief medicine that goes right on the sore. It is not working, and now he has started to limp a little bit. We are going back to see the vet, but I thought I could get some medicine for him.

My mini poodle is a neutered male that is forever scratching something till it bleeds, usually on his neck, but elsewhere too. Does anyone know how much Benadryl to give to my little poodle who weighs about 25 lbs? Thank you.

Dee

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RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Benadryl is 1 mg per pound every 12 hours. Also fish oil is great for them, hide the pill in a ball of moist food. Earthclinic.com has some remedies for pets there. too. Our vet gave our German benadryl and fish oil capsules for his scratchy skin. You should see how much better his coat is now.

Here is the link for other otc meds for dogs and cats: petcare.suite101.com (02/17/2009)

By Robyn Fed

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

I give my lab mix unrefined, virgin coconut oil (VCO) daily with her meals. You want to give it by weight. Sadie is around 55 lbs and I give her 1Tbsp daily. It is easy to find the right amount for your pet (dog, cat, bird, horse) by typing it in Google. I am also going to start bathing her in it for skin, coat, and pest purposes. The VCO will "drown" fleas and chase out ticks. To feed, you simply spoon it out (it is a hard oil) and put it on food. To bathe, you must heat the jar to turn it to liquid, then pour over your animal like you would shampoo (not too hot though). Leave it on for a half-hour to an hour and then wash off. (02/18/2009)

By kayleen

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

I found a remedy that works on Peoples Pharmacy. My dog had a spot on the base of her tail that was getting raw, etc. Use 3 equal parts of baby oil, water, and Listerine (the name brand). Put it in a spray bottle and shake before each use. You can spray several times a day if necessary. It worked for me. (02/18/2009)

By Sue

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Try Wheatgrass, nature's medicine. There is a story in this book by the Sproutman.com "Wheatgrass Nature's Medicine" that describes a woman and trying everything even steroids (they quit working) until she finally tries wheatgrass as a last resort and it worked like a charm curing all. Good luck. (03/02/2009)

By Scott

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Relieving Itching for Dogs

I have a tiny 3 year old Beagle. She seems to have a perpetual itching problem, sometimes so severe that she whines loudly. She has been identified with mange and was treated with medicines (antihistamines) and medicinal rinses for it, but her condition has stayed the same. I really pity her when she scratches herself near her lower jaw and screams. Her lower jaw and ears, which are her major scratching spots, are slightly red now and she has also lost some of fur due to this.

I have a 7 year old black Labrador, too. Lately she has started to have patches of dry flaky skin. Her fur comes out in tufts when she is scratching herself. She is always biting and licking herself on different spots on her body, mainly under her lower belly. Will olive oil or cod liver oil help? Can someone help me please?

By leenavipul from Delhi ncr, India

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RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

If your pet has mange, look on the Thriftyfun search for IVOMEC for cattle to control some mange variety. (09/29/2009)

By Lorelei

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

The itching could be caused by a flea allergy. My cat Skooter has a horrible flea allergy and was always scratching himself until I got him on Advantage Flea Preventive. Advantage is sold for dogs, too. As a matter of fact, 1 tube of Advantage for dogs, a blue box, can be divided into 10 .4 ml. doses for cats for huge savings and this is what I do for my cats.

I have given dogs a tablespoon of veggie oil daily to help prevent dry skin and it has worked. If the itching is bad, the vet should be able to give the dog(s) a shot to stop the itching. (09/29/2009)

By Mary in Camden, MI

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Borax all carpets for fleas. Leave for 2 weeks before you vacuum. Use Willard water xxx for the itches. Use more often at first. WW xxx will stop the itching overnight. Very healing. (09/29/2009)

By muttmom

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Me again. Food allergies maybe? Corn, wheat, and soy should never be in dog or cat food. They are notorious for food allergies. Science Diet? Most of their foods list corn #1. (09/29/2009)

By muttmom

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

I have a Shihtzu/Pug mix with same problem. My vet has me putting olive oil on her food. Also I limit baths to every 15 days and use Avon Skin so Soft. (09/30/2009)

By chrissym15

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Fish oil capsules and flax seed capsules. You can give them what you give yourself and not buy the expensive ones at the vets. Sorry to hear about your pups.

Our Airedale had terrible itching and scratching due to allergies and hotspots to the point where he would bleed from the gauges and we had to put a cone on his head. His scratched his underbelly, back, head, everywhere. We tried everything for years, shots, prednisone/cortisone, tea tree oil, hydrocortisone creams, even benedryl didn't touch it, etc. It wasn't until we started giving him fish oil capsules and flaxseed capsules that it stopped almost totally. We gave him the ones from Sam's, but you can get a great deal on "buy one get one free" at drugstores. They work in the body from the inside out and are an anti-inflammatory. The vet was impressed and so were we. We didn't want to keep him on prednisone as that is hard on the liver.

I hope this at least might give your pups some relief. It won't cure the mites, but might help with the inflammation they cause.

For years I was extremely sick with asthma and allergies myself. I started taking the oils along with some other supplements and I rarely need meds now. I use to max out my meds before. Our bodies need the Omega 3s or we can get sick in a myriad of ways. I really hope this helps you! (09/30/2009)

By italianswede

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Try changing their food. I had several dogs that the vets were charging me major bucks for this and that for dry skin then on a spur of a moment switched foods. I was in a sporting goods store with my husband and we started talking and the man and I got onto dogs and I mentioned my dogs itching he mentioned a product called Sportsman's pride or Black Gold he said that's what he fed all his dogs. It cured my dog's itch and it is a good food all the way around. I now have 12 dogs and 16 cats and that's all I feed them and they love it and won't eat another brand.

Debbie (09/30/2009)

By dcsprsmm

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Definitely watch out for food allergies, particularly corn in dog food. Also, check out earthclinic.com online. They have a pet section that talks about these sort of things a fair amount.

Good luck! (10/01/2009)

By Gina J.

RE: Relieving Itching for Dogs

Vitamins for your pets are wonderful, esp Es and Omega fish oils daily. My 8+yr old German Shorthair has eyelash length hair. We have no problem if we keep her clean. Her bath cleaner is J&J Baby wash. It has been for all her life. My allergies demand a clean dog and she loves the shower. We don't use anything with a scent to it, she has similar allergies to what I do.

Even when the guys take her out to run her, etc. she gets a shower afterwards. Summertime, the little 4 ft pool is set up to rinse feet in. The kids run in and stay cool, etc. I sometimes find the dog doing her roll in the water instead of the grass. Oh, my dog also loves to be vacuumed. Turn it on to use it on the floors, she is right there for her turn.

As she ages, she has some callouses on her elbow area which need a plain petroleum based product like Vaseline. If my skin is dry, consider her's to be also. We do Frontline April through December and have never ever had a tick. (12/18/2009)

By T&T Grandma