Natural Supplements & Remedies for Dog's & Cat's Itchy Skin
Written by: Dr. Jean Hofve, Holistic Veterinarian, DVM
Scritch, scratch, scritch, scratch... is this sound waking you up in the morning or keeping you up at night? Itchy skin is a common issue for both dogs and cats, leaving their owners scratching their own heads searching for solutions to provide relief. While occasional scratching may not seem concerning, persistent itching, licking, or paw chewing could signal an underlying issue like allergies, infections, or parasites. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding the causes of itchy skin in pets and some natural remedies to help soothe their discomfort.
Common Causes of Itchy Skin in Pets
1. Allergies
Allergies are one of the leading causes of itchiness in pets. These can be categorized into:
- Inhalant Allergies: Airborne and allergies commonly cause itching around the face, ears, belly and feet. Often accompanied by chronic ear infections, nasal congestion, or eye discharge.
- Food Allergies: May present with vomiting, diarrhea, or inflammatory bowel disease. Some holistic veterinarians also believe that seizures, arthritis, asthma and chronic urinary tract infections can be caused or complicated by food allergies.
- Contact Allergies: Caused by environmental factors like pollen, dust, or grass. Pets may also have contact allergies to cleaning products, shampoos, or specific fabrics.
2. Fleas and Parasites
Flea bites are notorious for causing itching, especially if your pet has flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). Dogs typically experience itchiness around the base of the tail, while cats often itch near their necks. Other parasites like mites or ringworm can also cause severe discomfort. If you suspect fleas, please see our article, The Natural Approach to Flea Control. If you suspect other parasites might be the cause, contact your pet’s veterinarian.
3. Dry Skin
Just like humans, pets can experience dry skin, especially in colder months or in homes with low humidity. Dry skin can lead to flakiness, dandruff, and itchiness.
4. Skin Infections
Bacterial or fungal infections can cause significant itching in your pet. These infections often occur as secondary issues when pets scratch excessively, breaking the skin barrier. These "hot spots" require immediate attention to prevent further irritation.
5. Underlying Health Conditions
Chronic health conditions, like hormonal imbalances or autoimmune disorders, may manifest as itchy skin. If your pet’s scratching persists despite treatment, a deeper health issue could be at play.
Once the cause of the itchy skin is determined, treatment can begin. Any secondary bacterial or yeast infections must be treated, however, before progress can be seen in remediation of the itchy skin.
Natural Remedies for Itchy Skin in Dogs and Cats
Topical Itch Treatments for Pets
If your dog or cat has been itching for a while, they may have created bare, red patches in places that can become infected without proper treatment. Here are some popular products offered by Only Natural Pet which can help:
- Fido Derm Herbal Spray
- Doc Ackerman's Instant Hot Spot Relief Spray
- Oatmeal baths followed by conditioner to seal in moisture.
- You can also view our entire selection of natural skin and itch products for more options.
If more potent treatment is necessary, your veterinarian can prescribe topical treatments and/or a special shampoo to help curb the itchiness.
Conquering Flea Allergies
Any dog or cat with a compromised immune system is more susceptible to fleas and parasites, so plan to treat your home environment a month before flea season begins. The last thing your dog or cat needs when already battling allergies is a flea infestation to make things worse! We recommend naturally-derived products to protect both your home and pets, and a wide variety of non-toxic, safe pest control solutions can be found on our Natural Flea and Tick Control page.
Dietary Solutions
One of the most important things to address in treating the underlying cause of allergies and skin dryness is an animal's diet. Many pets can see a dramatic improvement with some changes in diet alone. Allergies are cumulative in the animal's system — meaning that even if your dog or cat tends to have seasonal allergies, their food may be adding to the overall “load” on the system. Transitioning to a more appropriate diet (preferably raw or at home-prepared food) can make a big difference even for pets with seasonal allergies by improving their immune system strength and overall health. Read our article, What You Need to Know About Your Pet's Food to learn more about improving your companion's diet and overall health. Foods that don’t contain the most common allergens such as wheat, soy, corn, beef, and chicken are often the best choice for our furry friends.
Essential Fatty Acids
A great dietary supplement to consider for an animal with itchy skin is essential fatty acids (EFAs). Fish oil is considered the best source for cats and dogs, since the fatty acid chains are readily usable by the animal's system without any conversion process, which is necessary for the utilization of plant-sourced essential fatty acids such as flaxseed.
EFAs help reduce inflammation and nourish the skin and coat. They can also be beneficial in assisting the healing process of the digestive system. For older animals, EFAs can potentially help alleviate arthritis symptoms as well. If you're looking for an easy EFA product for your pet, check out our essential fatty acids page for more details.
Immune Modulation
Allergies are essentially the immune system gone awry. The body starts to "attack" itself in response to what it perceives as foreign invaders. Supplements to help modulate the immune system can therefore be helpful in treating many allergies. Only Natural Pet offers an excellent variety of immune support supplements to help deal with allergies and their symptoms.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
The information provided here is intended to help you support your companion with mild to moderate allergy-related itching. Bear in mind that the treatment of more severe allergies and itching from other causes requires veterinary assistance. If natural remedies don’t alleviate your pet’s itching, or if you notice symptoms like hair loss, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, or open sores, it’s time to consult your veterinarian.
A vet can perform tests to determine the exact cause of your pet’s skin issues, whether they’re from allergies, parasites, or an underlying health complication, and recommend targeted treatments for your pet’s specific needs.
A Scratch-Free Future
Every pet deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin. By identifying the cause of their itching and exploring natural remedies, you can help your furry friend find relief and enjoy a happier, itch-free life.
If you’re looking for more tips or guidance, make sure to consult with your veterinarian or pet care professional — they’ll help you take the best steps toward your pet’s health and comfort.
