Is your dog scratching, licking, chewing paws or rubbing on surfaces non stop? The most common causes are normally allergies, parasites, or a skin infection.
The following guide explains what your pup’s itching usually means, when it becomes urgent, what you can do at home and how a vet can help your dog in-person or online.
If your dog is dealing with itchy, irritated skin, you've probably wondered whether a special shampoo might help. Both medicated and oatmeal shampoos can provide relief, but they do different things. Oatmeal shampoos provide a gentle soothing relief from mild itching and dryness to irritated skin, while medicated shampoos contain therapeutic ingredients that help to fight infections, yeast and bacteria frequently present with dog allergies. The right choice depends on what's behind your dog's discomfort.
Oatmeal shampoos use colloidal oatmeal to act as a protective barrier on the skin. They will provide relief from irritation, lock in moisture and maintain the normal pH of the skin. This is a gentle alternative for dogs that experience mild itching or sensitive skin.
Medicated shampoos contain therapeutic ingredients such as chlorhexidine (minimizes bacteria) ketoconazole (reduces yeast), and benzoyl peroxide (oil reduction) to treat active skin infections or diagnosed skin conditions like allergies on dogs.
Oatmeal shampoos are best suited for mild seasonal itching, dry/flaky skin, routine maintenance during the time between veterinary visits and dogs that have sensitive skin. While oatmeal shampoo may be used as a first line of defense when your dog appears slightly uncomfortable due to itching but does not appear to have a serious issue, oatmeal shampoo will not resolve an existing infection nor sufficiently relieve moderate to severe itching symptoms.
Medicated shampoos are best used for treating bacterial skin infections, yeast overgrowth, seborrhea, or hot spots. Most medicated shampoos need to remain on the skin for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off, therefore make sure to follow the instructions provided. If you are unsure which type of medicated shampoo would be most effective, consult a veterinarian to determine the correct formula.
The truth is, shampoos do not treat dog allergies. An allergy is an immune system reaction to an allergen, and nothing topically applied can change your dog's reaction to the allergen (pollen or dust mites). What shampoos can do is to remove the allergen(s) from the skin, eliminate any existing infection, and keep the skin moist. Shampoos are one piece of the solution, but rarely the entire solution.
Allergic reactions cause dogs to scratch incessantly, and it can be very frustrating to watch. The goal is to interrupt the itch-scratch cycle and allow the skin to heal. Healthy skin acts as a barrier (prevents bacteria, allergens and excess moisture from entering into the skin). However, repeated scratching destroys the integrity of the skin and allows infections to develop and further irritate the itching.
To effectively manage allergies, it is essential to interrupt the itch-scratch cycle. To accomplish this, you must address all aspects of the process: reduce itching, reduce inflammation, eliminate/eliminate infections and restore the integrity of the skin. While shampoos may be useful for managing mild cases of allergies, dogs with moderate to severe itching typically require prescription medication that blocks the transmission of the itch signal.
While shampoos can be helpful, they are limited in their ability to address the underlying issue. If your dog's itching persists or worsens, you observe signs of infection (discharge, odor, open sores), etc., it is time to seek veterinary assistance. A veterinarian will evaluate your dog and develop a treatment program that may include prescription medications such as Apoquel, antibiotics, medicated wipes and/or medicated shampoos.
Otis offers convenient, affordable, telemedicine services to licensed veterinarians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of dog allergies. These veterinarians can diagnose your dog's allergies, recommend appropriate treatment options, and prescribe medications such as Apoquel via same-day virtual consultations - eliminating the wait times and stress associated with traditional office visits.
With Otis (otisforpets.com), you can book a same-day online allergy consult with veterinarians who specialize in itchy, allergic dogs. During your video visit, the vet will:
Your plan may include:
Telemedicine gives you quick access, zero wait times, and easy follow-ups - ideal for chronic or recurring itch.
In the case of mild allergies, possibly yes. However, for most dogs with moderate to severe allergies, shampooing alone will not adequately address the itching. Oral prescription medications or other treatments are usually required in addition to address the underlying issue.
This depends on the severity of the symptoms. Some dogs may require weekly bathing during peak allergy seasons, while others may be able to tolerate less frequent bathing. Note that excessive bathing may exacerbate dryness and irritation of the skin.
Yes, many pet owners choose to alternate between the two types of shampoos: medicated for specific infections or conditions and oatmeal for routine grooming and skin maintenance. Consult a veterinarian regarding the best frequency and application schedule.
