Warm compresses Make a compress out of a warm wet washcloth and hold it to your pup's bottom for 5 minutes to encourage better drainage. You may need to rewet the cloth to keep it warm while you do this. After a few minutes, try to empty the scent glands.
Chamomile, calendula, and green tea have properties that soothe and cool irritated skin and reduce inflammation, making them great additions in a dog bath for itchy skin. These soaks are best for dogs who have hot, itchy patches of skin that are at risk of getting rubbed raw.
Three common causes of itchy bottoms are fleas, worms and anal glands issues with anal glands being top of the list and the main focus of this discussion. Less common causes are allergies, skin infections and tumours.
Vaseline. Some recommend putting Vaseline on your dog's bum to relieve soreness and itching. The idea does seem to make some sense. After all, Vaseline would protect any cuts or abrasions from getting infected.
Technically no, vaseline is not toxic to your dog. It is also usually not the best choice as your dog can lick it off their skin or paws. If your pup ingests enough they might get an upset stomach, which can lead to vomiting or diarrhea if they ingest enough.
There are numerous reasons why your dog's anal area is swollen, red, and itchy and among them are overgrown hair, grooming, fecal contamination, diarrhea, allergies, flea infestations, worms, and breed predisposition. In rare cases, a tumor can be behind the swollen bottom, but no reason to panic.
You can use hydrocortisone cream on your dog in most cases. Like in people, it helps treat mild rashes, itchy skin, and bug bites in canines, too.
Apple cider vinegar for dogs may help prevent itchy skin while soothing skin irritation and rashes. Since it's acidic, it may also prevent yeast infections on the skin and ears. In addition, the acidic compounds in apple cider vinegar can eliminate dandruff and treat some mild skin conditions like hot spots.
Acetic acid is antifungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral. When you use white vinegar for your dog's itchy skin, it clears bacteria from skin infections. White vinegar also helps other conditions like acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and yeast.
Baking Soda becomes thick when mixed with water and it can dry out skin's rashes. It is also an effective dog itching relief while decreasing inflammation and redness. Apply the mixture or paste to the itchy part and leave it for 20 minutes before rinsing it completely.
Apple cider vinegar is made from just apples and water, making it completely safe for dogs. It is slightly acidic, with a pH of 3.1 to 5, which gives it properties that can soothe a dog's overly alkalized digestive tract. Add a teaspoon of ACV to your dog's water bowl and see if he'll drink it!
Skin Creams
It can be used for areas of minor irritation or allergy. Many antifungals (e.g. Canesten) can be used in pets.
Dogs Keep Itching Due to Bacterial and Fungal Skin Infections. Dogs who keep itching but don't have fleas or mites are more likely to have a skin infection. These infections may be bacterial or might be fungal. Yeast infections may also be a culprit for some itching in dogs.
Sudocrem. This can be used in dogs and cats in small amounts. Sudocrem contains zinc-oxide which is highly toxic to birds. Zinc-oxide is also toxic to dogs and cats if ingested in large quantities, but applying a thin layer of sudocrem to sore or irritated skin is generally safe and can be beneficial.
For anal gland abscesses, add a teaspoon of coconut oil, 1 drop of lavender essential oil, and/or several drops of grapefruit seed extract to any of these hot teas. All of these additions have disinfecting properties. Obviously, if your dog has a really painful abscess, this treatment may not be appropriate.
Dog Wipes vs. Other Wipes {Baby Wipes}
It is important to use pet wipes specifically formulated for dogs. Most wipes such as baby wipes contain an ingredient called Propylene Glycol that could harm your dog (especially if your dog is a licker). Make sure to read the 'wipes label' before using on your dog.
When dogs have problems with anal glands, they will scoot or lick excessively to try and get them to express "naturally". Anal glands are two sacs that are located on either side of the rectum and secrete a fluid when an animal defecates or sometimes when they are frightened.
If the anal glands are not emptied they can become impacted and an abscess can form, which then bursts through the skin leaving a smelly, bloody, painful mess. This may be a temporary thing, such as during an episode of diarrhea, or it may be an ongoing issue.
Apply apple cider vinegar to dogs in a 50/50 water/apple cider vinegar solution to soothe itchy skin. You can also put the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it onto your dog regularly as part of your grooming routine, which may improve skin and coat quality.
To make your own flea and tick repellent, mix one part vinegar with one part water and spray it on your pet's fur. You can also add a few drops of vinegar to your pet's drinking water to help repel fleas and ticks from the inside out. Morgan recommends one teaspoon per quart of water.
This is why a raw diet is best for yeast infection in dogs. It doesn't have the large amount of carbohydrate that commercial foods contain. So if your dog is eating kibble today, you'll need to switch him to a raw diet or a cooked diet that doesn't use grains.
Baking soda is so mild it can be used directly on your dog both for cleaning and deodorizing purposes. No more worrying what chemicals are present in the products you use on your dog.