Are you looking for products to help with your dog’s dry skin? When our skin is dry, we reach for lotion. But, how do you soothe dry skin in dogs? Can you put human lotion on your dog? No, you can’t use human lotions as they may contain ingredients harmful or reactive to dogs, plus dogs may ingest the human lotions when they lick them. And they will lick them! Thankfully, there are a few companies that make sprays, shampoos and other leave-ins that can help relieve your dog’s itchy skin.
Shampoos for dogs with dry skin
Often, the shampoo we use on our dogs — along with how often we bathe them — can really affect their skin and coat. Earthbath has an Oatmeal & Aloe shampoo and conditioner that are designed especially for dry skin relief, according to Yvonne Roth, Earthbath head of marketing. Colloidal oatmeal binds to skin forming a protective barrier that holds in moisture to act as a skin protectant, she explains. Colloidal oatmeal and soothing aloe vera can help relieve dry skin along with a number of bothersome skin conditions, such as canine atopic dermatitis, Yvonne adds.
Swedencare also has an oatmeal and aloe-based shampoo. Lyxvara Aloe & Oatmeal shampoo contains emollients to restore natural skin moisture and is hypoallergenic. It is also a soap-free formulation and can be used as often as necessary and will not strip the coat.
Vetericyn’s FoamCare Medicated Pet Shampoo is also good for dogs with dry skin. It’s paraben-free, plant-based and formulated to help dogs retain essential skin oils. Vetericyn has formulas for dogs with regular and thick coats.
Leave-in treatment for a dog’s dry skin
Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Hot Spot products treat your dog’s dry skin and hot spots. These products provide quick relief from scratching, licking and chewing and jumpstart the healing process, explains Geoff Hamby, Vetericyn director of marketing. They also help relieve skin allergy symptoms.
What causes dry skin on dogs?
“Food allergies and sensitivities can have many symptoms but often manifest as itchy skin,” says Dr. Angie Krause, the owner of Boulder Holistic Vet in Colorado. Environmental allergens can cause these same skin symptoms. Dogs with food allergies commonly have environmental allergies as well, she explains.
Other reasons for dry skin on dogs include:
- Food allergies
- Environmental allergies
- Parasites
- Skin conditions
- Stress
Supplements for dry skin on dogs
There are supplements that can help with your dog’s skin and coat. These typically contain omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil.
Some of our favorite supplements for your dog’s skin and coat:
Can I put Calamine lotion on my dog’s dry skin?
Don’t use Calamine lotion on dogs. Dogs often lick off whatever is put on them, and Calamine lotion contains zinc oxide that isn’t safe for dogs to ingest.
Veterinarians don’t recommend trying homemade dog lotion for itchy skin. Figuring out the source of the itch and the dryness is the first step before trying products to soothe your dog’s dry skin. And don’t forget that skin health starts on the inside, so changing your dog’s meat source, which is often the source of skin allergies, or trying a supplement for skin and coat, can help. Combat your dog’s dry skin with supplements and hair products to keep your pup itch free.
