Does your dog’s skin feel dry and flaky, even after bathing? Here are few tips on how you can moisturise your dog’s skin.
1/ Examine the shampoo you are regularly using. Does it have balanced ph? Does it contain irritating perfumes, preservatives, mineral oils?
2/ Shampoos containing oatmeal extract moisturise the skin, help restore the skin barrier, reduce itching, and regulate inflammation.
Even if you don’t have a shampoo with oatmeal, you can help your dog to moisturise his skin with this tip:
Ground oatmeal and add it to warm bath water, and give your dog a nice relaxing bath. Like a spa day! Alternatively, you can make an oatmeal paste with water and ground oats. Then apply the paste soothing your dog’s skin and coat.
I won’t recommend using oatmeal if your dog is intolerant to oats.
3/ Apple cider vinegar & green tea rinse
½ cup green tea; cooled down
½ cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup distilled or boiled water cooled down
Mix it all up well, then wash your dogs as usual and rinse well with plenty of clean water. Apply the pre-made rinse on the dog’s coat and skin, massaging it in well. Then rinse it off. Or leave it on the coat and it can then work as a bug, fly, and flea repellent as well! WOW!
You can keep the mixture in the fridge, in a closed jar, for about a week or two. But if it gets mouldy, don’t use it!
4/Coconut oil wrap
Coconut oil wrap is very beneficial for dogs with dry, irritated, and/or flaky skin. Wash your dog with your favourite shampoo, rinse, and towel dry. Then apply coconut oil to the dog’s hair and skin and slowly massage it in, covering every part. Then wrap your dog in a warm towel and let him rest for about 10-15 minutes. Dogs love it!
To enhance relaxation, you put a few drops of Comfort Blend on the towel. After this, bath your dog in warm water in one of our favourite shampoos. Then dry and brush out as usual.
After the coconut oil wrap, the skin is less red softer, and the coat is silky and easy to brush … and the dog smells delicious.
5/ Paws & nose
Don’t forget to moisturise your dog’s paws, nose, and elbow when you see they are dry. You can use the Coconut mentioned above or Paw Butter, which is excellent not just for dry paws. It also moisturises elbows and noses.
Does your dog’s skin feel dry? What do you do about it?
Jitka xx