Dry Skin Remedies for Your Pets

by DoItYourself Staff

Seeking out dry skin remedies isn't only limited to you or your, family as your dog or cat can also suffer from dry skin. There are many causes of dry skin on your pets, and many dry skin remedies exist. Some of the things associated with dry skin are dry air, allergies, fleas and bug bites. Below, you will find several dry skin remedies that will help ease your pet’s itchiness.

Olive Oil

You will come to realize just how valuable olive oil is. Besides using it to cook with, you can also use it to ease the pain and itching of dry skin on your pet. You simply have to spread the hair apart where the itching is occurring. Use one tablespoon of olive per site, and massage it into the skin. The olive oil will lubricate and soothe the area.

Antibiotics

Your pet’s dry skin can be caused by an infection. Remedies can be by prescription, which you get from your veterinarian. Antibiotics can help to get rid of the dry skin. If the dry skin comes back, then the problem may be an allergy.

Allergy Medicine

Your dog or cat can also suffer from allergies which can be caused by the environment, food and insects. Your vet can conduct a series of tests to determine what the allergy is. He can then prescribe a medicine that is specifically for that allergy. Once the medicine gets to work, the dry skin should clear up.

Aspirin and Alcohol

When your animal gets dry skin, he or she will often scratch and lick the area a lot, in an attempt to sooth the itch. This will create what is known as a hot spot, which can eventually blister and open up, causing bleeding. A hot spot can be very painful and susceptible to infection. Take 2 aspirin and dissolve them in one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol. While the aspirin is dissolving, steep a tea bag and in a cup of hot water for five minutes. Remove the tea bag and add the aspirin and alcohol mixture. Shave the hair over the hot spot and dab the liquid over it with a cotton ball. Apply cortisone spray or a cream to the area. Repeat this as needed. This is one of the most effective dry skin remedies you can utilize.

Cool Bath and Oatmeal

Dry skin remedies related to an allergic reaction are fairly easy to administer. Run a bath of cool water and wash your dog or cat for at least ten minutes. If the dry skin is very bothersome, then add colloidal oatmeal to the water. This will ease the itching your pet is feeling. This can be done in addition to the medications your vet prescribes.