The spring and the summer season not only mean gentle breezes and beautiful flowers, they also mean itchy dogs. Dogs blissfully playing in the dirt and rolling around on the fresh cut grass is wonderful to watch. But it’s also how they get exposed to a wide variety of bacteria and other microbes, causing skin inflammation and itching.
Is your dog scratching a lot and even biting its paws, legs, and back trying to alleviate that exasperating prickling sensation? The cause of excessive itchiness in dogs is usually relatively benign and treatable at home. It could be a minor skin irritation or fleas and other insects that have hitched a ride.
As soon as possible, you should take steps to relieve your pooch from the itching and try to determine what’s causing it. Incessant scratching can lead to further problems that increase discomfort and become harder to treat.
You can use these DIY homemade anti-itch dog sprays made of natural ingredients to soothe your dog’s itchy skin, calm any rashes, restore the skin’s pH and keep flies, fleas, and gnats away.
Consult your vet if your dog doesn’t stop itching and the skin irritation persists.
Contents
Natural Anti-Itch Spray Recipes
Here are a few homemade anti-itch sprays you can make to bring relief to your furry friend.
Method 1: Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has acetic acid, which makes it a potent antifungal and antibacterial ingredient. Using apple cider vinegar can help kill the bacteria causing the infection or irritation.
Both calendula oil and green tea are anti-inflammatory agents that reduce any skin inflammation caused by incessant scratching by your dog. Lavender essential oil promotes quick healing and peppermint tea provides a cooling effect on the skin.
Things you’ll need:
- Apple cider vinegar (antibacterial and antifungal) – 2 tablespoons
- Lavender essential oil (healing agent) – 1 drop
- Calendula essential oil (anti-inflammatory) – ¼ teaspoon
- Green tea (anti-inflammatory) – 2 tablespoons
- Peppermint tea (skin-cooling agent) – 2 tablespoons
Step 1. Combine apple cider vinegar and the essential oils in a jar
- Pour 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a jar.
- Add 1 drop of lavender essential oil and ¼ teaspoon of calendula oil to it.
Step 2. Mix in green tea and peppermint tea
- Pour 2 tablespoons each of green tea and peppermint tea into the jar.
- Blend the ingredients well.
Step 3. Transfer the mixture into a spray bottle & label it
- Pour the solution into a reusable spray bottle.
- Label the bottle as dog spray.
- Spray this solution on the itchy spots on your dog to relieve the itching.
You can store this homemade anti-itch dog spray for 2 months in the refrigerator.
Method 2: Oatmeal
Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe the skin and provide instant relief to your dog. It also removes dirt and bacteria off the skin.
Things you'll need:
- Oatmeal (Anti-inflammatory) - 2 tablespoons
- Water - 2 cups
Step 1. Boil oatmeal in the water on medium heat and strain it
- Pour 2 cups of water into a pan and place the pan on a cooktop.
- Add 2 tablespoons of oatmeal to the water.
- Bring the mixture to a slow boil on medium heat.
- Remove the pan from the cooktop and strain the water using a sieve.
- Allow the mixture to cool off.
Step 2. Pour the solution into a spray bottle & label it
- Transfer the homemade anti-itch dog spray into a reusable spray bottle.
- Label the bottle as dog spray and spray it on your dog’s itchy spots.
You can store it for up to 2 months in the refrigerator.
Method 3: Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a natural astringent, and when combined with aloe vera gel, it soothes and calms the skin. Both witch hazel and tea tree oil have antibacterial properties that kill the inflammation-causing bacteria. The lavender essential oil expedites the skin healing process and makes the spray aromatic.
Things you’ll need:
- Witch hazel (skin-soothing agent) – 2 tablespoons
- Aloe vera gel (anti-inflammatory) – 2 tablespoons
- Tea tree essential oil (antibacterial and antifungal) – 4 or 5 drops
- Lavender essential oil (healing agent and adds fragrance) – 4 or 5 drops
Step 1. Combine all the ingredients
- Pour 2 tablespoons each of witch hazel and aloe vera gel into a mixing bowl.
- Add 4 or 5 drops each of tea tree and lavender essential oils into the bowl.
Step 2. Mix well & pour the liquid into a spray bottle
- Blend the ingredients together well.
- Transfer the solution into a reusable spray bottle using a small funnel, and label the bottle.
- Spray the solution on your dog’s itchy spots to rid them of their misery.
You can store this spray for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Tips to keep in mind
- Essential oils are potent plant extracts. Use them in the given quantities only. Do not use them directly on your dog’s skin.
- You can try giving your dog an aloe vera gel bath twice a week to help with the itchiness.
- You can use homemade dog shampoos that will rid your pet of bacteria along with homemade anti-itch dog sprays.