Dog Dry Skin Care

Many dogs suffer from dry skin. Causes of this affliction can include allergies, a dry house or diet. But whatever the cause, a simple solution is rinsing your dog with a bit of chamomile tea. Just boil up the kettle, make the tea, allow it to cool down and pour it over your dog. This will sooth your pup’s dry skin without leaving any oily residue that other dry skin treatments can leave.

If your dog has severe dry skin, rub some olive oil into the affected area and then towel him off with a paper towel. Summer Sun Protection Hard to believe but dog’s can get sunburned. This is particularly true of dogs with lighter noses and pink skin. My poodle is the type of dog that is susceptible to burns and as such, I have had to learn how to prevent and treat burns. The best way to prevent a burn is to avoid outdoor activities when the sun is at its hottest: i.e., in the middle of the day.

If this is not possible, you can put an old t-shirt and a hat on your dog to keep direct light off of her skin. If you aren’t comfortable walking around with a shrouded dog, use sunscreen.

However, there are some things you should keep in mind when selecting a sun protection product for your pooch:

• The sunscreen should have an SPF of 15 or higher

• Find a sunscreen of a thinner consistency - it will be easier to apply to your dog’s coat

• Get a waterproof sunscreen - this will help it stay on your dog for longer, therefore increasing its effectiveness

• PABA is dangerous to dogs - avoid products that contain this ingredient

• Distract your dog when you are applying the lotion - do it right before she eats or you are going to take her out for a walk; this will make her forget she is wearing any and will help prevent her from licking it off

• Don’t worry if your dog does consume some sunscreen; as long as it doesn’t contain PABA, she will be fine There will be times; however, when even the best prevention will not stop the inevitable. So if your dog does get burned, there are a couple of things you can do to ease the discomfort.

These include:

• Hosing her down with cool water

• Getting her out of the sun

• Mixing two parts cool water with one part witch hazel and then gently applying the mixture to her coat

• Give her a cool bath with baking soda in the water

• Apply Aloe Vera gel