Boric Acid
★★★★★
Boric Acid for dogs
I have used boric acid on my Bichon's eyes and feet. It is wonderful for those runny eyes and is soothing. I have just recently used it on his itchy paws and so far so good. He seems to be finally at peace.
EC: Please let us know how you make a diluted solution of boric acid and water.
Catalytic Altered Water
★★★★★
Regarding Pets with itching and other skin problems: I have several dogs that itch from allergies and flea bites from time to time so I keep on hand a spray bottle of catalytic altered water. My dogs' itching, painful cut or scrape is relieved and starts to heal in minutes. I have seen it heal a cut better than those creams that are sold and it doesn't burn. I have used it on my own skin burns, cuts, itching etc. And I use nothing else. I have also used it to make medication or ACV work better for my dogs. The water can be found on the internet; but don't be fooled by imitations there is only one that will work. 1 oz. of the clear will make 1 gallon for future use. A couple of sprays up to a few sprays work to heal quickly. I want everyone to know that this catalytic altered water is a safe miracle cure thats been around since the 1980's and was even the subject on a popular news television show back then. That show still exists.
(Ny, Ny Usa)
11/10/2011
★☆☆☆☆
Pure quackery. If you want to risk your own health by persisting in such delusion, go ahead, but you owe your dog a much higher level of responsibility than this.
Chlorpheniramine Maleate
This may not be a natural treatment but I just want to help - it worked for me when nothing else available & safe was effective: simple over-the-counter at your local drugstore CHLORPHENIRAMINE MALEATE - 4 MG tablets - put 1 tablet in dog's food/treat 2 to 3 times a day. I'd already used Benadryl when my vet (FINALLY!! ) recommended Chlor. Maleate - it worked instantly, & supposedly, very safely. My dog (mini schnauzer) weighs 22 lbs. - dosage may vary by dog's size.
I only want to help others in similar miserable situations, having truly agonized for over 4 yrs as my 4-8 yr old allergic mini schnauzer scratched himself daily into a bleeding, balding, hotspot- covered, unhappy, uncomfortable mess. I tried everything, from flea treatment (he had zero fleas), to apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, fish oil, Benadryl, yogurt, grain-free food, prednisone (briefly! ), 24 hr clothing to stop him from scratching himself raw everywhere, Atopica (for about 8 months - useless), to finally, in 2014, Apoquel - it worked perfectly but was very costly & after only a few months, international supplies were depleted & it won't be available again until 2015.
Meanwhile, with the Chlor. Maleate, my dog is finally able to relax au natural (NO CLOTHES!! ) with VERY LITTLE scratching & zero raw areas/hotspots/fur loss, for a measly $12 per 100 tablet bottle of Chlor. Maleate. When/if Apoquel (costs about $70/mo. from my vet) becomes available again, I'm not sure I'll need it. This Chlor. Maleate is a true godsend for my allergic dog - talk to your vet/try it if you're in a similar situation.
(Mpls., Mn)
10/06/2014
Thanks, Mimsy56 for this tip!
(New Jersey, US)
12/10/2014
I have a poodle mix; he is 11 yrs old. Last year after a grooming at a chain grooming store he began having seizures, then after a couple of months he started losing his hair on his back, that grooming took place in the summer of 2012.
His hair has not grown back. I believe the groomer was new, I believe she used a toxic flea bath to cause both the seizures and hair loss. I spoke to the mgr. he denied that this happened. My Teddy also used to scratch and lick but when I switched to a glutten free dog food which was suggested to me by a clerk in a pet store, he stopped licking himself. That was before the flea bath insident.
(Jax, Fl)
03/28/2015
(Orange Park, Florida)
04/04/2018
I am going to give this a try. Ty for this tip. I too have tried everything you have mentioned and no significant relief noted. I to had used the Apoquel for my doggies. It became very expensive and wasn't always available for purchase. I have two 19 pound ShihTzu's and I was wondering if the 4 mg tablets is acceptable for their weight as well?? Once again ty for this tip, and I will let you know how's it work she for my babies. Tracey
(AL)
01/28/2021
@Mimsy56 can you tell me if this still works for you and your dog? I have the exact same situation with my GSD and would love to know how it's been going for you after so many years. Apoquel is not the solution I want for her. It does work but I don't want the side effects. Can you tell me how it's going?
Coconut and Oregano Oils
| 5 star (3) | 75% | |
 (1) |
25% |
★★★★★
My chocolate lab was scratching herself raw. We adjusted her diet, got special lotions and shampoos from the vet, even steroids. Nothing worked. We hated seeing our poor dog suffer so we mixed 1/2 cup of coconut oil with 2 drops of oil of oregano, rubbed it on her sores. By the next morning she was barely scratching at all!! All the sores healed and she has been happy and itch free!
(Atlanta, Ga Usa)
11/02/2010
★★★★★
One of my German Shepherds has an immune deficiency. I have tried everything natural under the sun but, will not resort to pharmaceuticals. I feed raw, organic, no grains. ACV in water. Still biting, itchy & scabby. One day I was desperate to find a solution for her raw skin. I mixed up about a 1/4 cup of organic extra virgin coconut oil & about 6 drops of ingestable Four Thieves oil blend. I rubbed it in lightly on all the areas affected. The Four Thieves I use is a well known brand, easily found on the Internet that can be ingested. Some are only for topical use, so be careful. I would not use on cats. It calmed the areas immediately. Redness disappeared. By the next day scabs were falling off. I now do this twice a day. She actually nudges me to the kitchen for her coconut rub. Though I alternate omega 3 fish oil, coconut oil, ground flax or oil, EVOO, chia, something in her system seems to resist utilizing the ingested oils. I have started adding digestive enzymes to her food to add in breaking down fats. If someone has experienced this same problem I would appreciate feedback.
(Fort Worth, Tx)
08/11/2013
★★★★★
4 year old Aussie/Border female went through bouts of excessive itching, chewing feet, hind skin raw, etc. She wasn't in an episode of itchiness when she started to get horrid ear odor. We got Liquid-Filled Ear Swabs which did a great job of cleaning out ears, and also started giving her 1 drop of (diluted) oil of oregano daily to stop excessive candida growth. Well, after 2 weeks, we saw zero excessive itching, clean ears, loss of excess weight and a happier, more peaceful dog! We dilute the OoO with 3 parts exta virgin oliveoil to 1 part OoO. I take a drop/day now!
(Glendale, Ca)
02/01/2017
My German shepherd also with auto immune problems has just developed these same skin syndromes recently. Has been on prednisone for her low red blood cell count since 10.16. Her blood levels have stabilized however her skin condition is out of control. Have changed her diet with seems to improve the situation.
And do you give her hydrosine for the itch. However now I will try both the ACV remedy recommended on this site and absolutely the coconut four thieves and oregano tincture.
I also have started her on propolis and this seems to help a lot .
Thank you will keep u posted!
Do not recommend apoquel --
She had a horrible reaction to this which may have started the entire skin mess. This as well as prednisone lowers the immune system.
(Atlanta, GA)
08/05/2021
I know this post is old, but to ride on the back of this comment, I wanted to add that Apoquel is a most horrible drug to give your dog. My sister's dog had severe skin allergy and resorted to giving this Apoquel out of desperation to help her dog stop suffering. It was extremely detrimental to her dog's health. It was taxing on all vital organs and overwhelmed them, which eventually broke them down over time. So, I will say again, do not give your dog Apoquel unless you want your dog to have a slow death sentence. Do your research on it if you're even considering it. Try everything alternative. Yes, it stops the itching, but you don't have any idea what it's doing to your dog internally.
(St. George, Utah)
07/08/2022
Just wanted to say ~ you are absolutely correct Amanda.
Here is what I share with those I help and work with ~
Our standard medical system uses medications to try to take away as many signs and symptoms as possible rather than to fix what is actually causing the problem in the first place. However, when you use medications, you are basically making a deal with the devil because medications impair very necessary life functions in your dog's body.
All medications (including topical ones) S T O P or S L O W or BREAK down the body's natural metabolic processes. Medications change how the body communicates with itself. When the body is unable to communicate effectively the body begins to breakdown.
Drugs create a more dangerous situation in the body so the initial negative symptoms go away as the body attempts to take care of the new problems created by the drugs. For example, taking Tylenol for pain creates havoc on the liver so the body's attention to the inflammation that is causing the pain is diverted to the liver and the pain temporarily disappears. However, the main cause of the inflammation was never addressed and the drug(s) continue to poison and weaken the kidneys, liver and other organs. As a result, the body's immune (lymphatic) system becomes weaker and weaker. Working with a healthy diet and super food supplements address the causes of the negative symptoms and not just mask the symptoms.
The use of multiple medications is also very problematic because nobody has any idea how these cocktail concoctions are going to interact not only with the body but also with one another. Basically, it's a cocktail of horror that will wreak havoc on the body.
The thing to always focus on his the cause rather than the symptoms.
Steroid drugs (like Apoquel) are extremely detrimental to the body.
Coconut Oil
★★★★★
Coconut oil healed my dog's scabby, itchy (probably ringworm fungus) skin and his anemia.
My dog Melvin, a four year old smooth-skinned Sharpei mix, normally has a beautiful, shiny chocolate-brown coat. Recently he developed scabby, itchy spots all over his body. He also became pretty anemic (apparent from the white color of his gums and inside his ear flaps) and would tire out easily after playing with the other dogs. I think the scabby spots were fungal, most likely ringworm. I had a spot show up on my forearm a couple days after finding Melvin's spots that looked like classic ringworm. I treated mine with an OTC ringworm cream and it started healing right away.
I've used your site for years and have had tremendous success with all other remedies. Coconut oil was one of the remedies recommended, so I added one tablespoon daily to Melvin's dry kibble (he weighs approx. 60lbs.) He loves the taste. After just one week his coat is shiny, the scabs are gone, new hair is growing in the bald spots where scabs fell off, and he's no longer tired after playing with our other dogs. The most incredible result is that his gums and inside ear flaps are no longer white, but a pretty, healthy pink, which is amazing because his appetite was never affected. So the anemia was not from his diet, but apparently from the fungus. I'm now adding the oil to my other dog's meals. I figure if it can reverse anemia, and cure fungus, it may prevent other ailments from even starting. I've also added it to my diet to see if it can help with a chronic skin condition I've had for years. I'll update any new findings.
Once again, thanks Earth Clinic and all contributors. It's so nice to be able to avoid the vet whenever possible.
(Brownsville, Tn)
03/21/2015
(Manchester. Uk)
03/26/2015
Has Coconut Oil helped your skin? I suffer from psoriasis and was just wondering.
(Eldersburs Md)
03/27/2015
I have tried many things to correct my Yorkshire Terrior itch, but nothing works. He is always at his paws chewing and itching all over with some sore spots. Does anyone have a cure? Been to three vets and no help. Please help me.
(Mpls., Mn)
03/27/2015
Hey Ron!
The first place to start is with your dog's diet; what are the ingredients on the dog food label? If grains or corn are in the first 5 ingredients, it is time to upgrade the groceries to a grain free diet.
And, once you upgrade the groceries it will still take time - no quick fixes, but many things can help.
When mine get the itchies I alkalize the water with baking soda - a 'crisis' or 'outbreak' dose is 1 teaspoon of baking soda per 1 liter of water, and this as your dogs only source of drinking water. After 7 days I switch to 1/2 teaspoon baking soda to 1 liter of water, and after 7 days I again switch it down to 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to 1 liter of water- and this can be for another week or so, or as a daily maintenance dose.
Next, Consider Ted's mange remedy - this can bring an itchy dog relief:
Ingredients:
Borax laundry booster - the plain stuff with NO scent.
1 -16 oz bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
I get both of these from the grocery store.
Process:
Empty hydrogen peroxide into larger bottle - I use an empty 1 gallon vinegar jug. Add to this 32 oz filtered or distilled water - I just refill the hydrogen peroxide bottle twice - and dump into the jug. What this does is change your 3% hydrogen peroxide into 1% hydrogen peroxide.
Next add 1 cup of the borax crystals and shake. There should be some undissolved crystals in the mixed solution - this is just right. I try to use hot water from the kettle on the stove, that or sit the jug of mixture in the sink full of hot water while I bathe the dog.
NEXT:
Bathe the dog - use whatever shampoo and rinse well. Squeeze out excess water and make sure the tub is drained. I then plug up the tub. Now pour the mixed up solution over the dog. I use a small sponge to soak up the solution from the bottom of the tub and squeeze it out onto the dog again and again, making sure I get the head and underneath. Keep squeezing solution over and over onto the dog for about 15 minutes - 30 minutes is better. Then pull the stopper from the tub and let the excess drain. DO NOT DRY THE DOG OR RINSE THE DOG. The solution has to remain wet as it is still working. Allow the dog to air dry. I just pop mine into their crates and I remove any absorbent bedding.
If you are worried about poisoning your dog keep in mind that borax has the same toxicity as table salt. The solution doesn't seem to hurt the eyes or sting any sores on the skin. Some dogs feel instant relief! I find this is effective on the skin for 24 hours - after that you can do another dip or switch to the Anti-fungal/Anti-staph solution:
Anti fungal/staph skin solution - you will need:
Milk of Magnesia [magnesium hydroxide]
Epsom salts [magnesium sulfate]
Borax [sodium tetraborate]
1% hydrogen peroxide solution
Mix 1 tbsp of MOM with 1 tbsp epsom salt and 1 tbsp borax into 1-1/2 cups of 1% hydrogen peroxide. Apply and do not rinse. This solution should knock out any staph infection or yeast infection going on in the skin.
If you get results - less itching and chewing - you can mix up a smaller batch of the above solution and put it in a spritzer bottle to use on your dog's paws; if they heal up you can try a simple solution of water and white vinegar to use after your dog comes in from outside or when you see your dog start to chew at his feet.
You also can address the itching from the inside out with dietary supplements - yucca, turmeric and quercetin can be found in capsules at the health food store and help with inflamation; colostrum will help build the immune system and Vitamin C, kelp and spirulina will help support it.
Let us know what you try and please report back!
(Fontana Ca)
11/12/2016
My dog has diabetes and dry flakey skin. I bath her in Apple Cider vinegar. Her coat looks and feels better and her skin is not flaking as much as before. I will continue to use it. She don't itch very much now. And her coat it soft and looks and feels good. She is a lot happier Doggy:). Let me know if it helps your dog also. Bonnie
(Kent)
12/31/2016
(Kapolei, Hi)
01/29/2017
(Kapolei, Hi)
01/30/2017
Ok. I just stuck him in the crate to soak it all in for 30 mins. before I towel and blow-dry him. I had to use Wild Cherry MOM tho...and I plum forgot the distilled water and used tap, and I also forgot to squeeze off the excess water after the bath before I began dousing him with the staph/fungus formula. Is this why as I'm watching him and typing he is still scratching in the exact same places he does when he's bone dry??!! How LONG does it take this treatment to work?? I mean, how many times do I have to use it to stop the itching? Thanks.
(Seattle)
02/17/2017
I give my cat virgin organic non GMO coconut oil that is made from fresh coconuts and her fur is softest, silkest fur ever. I did make sure that the oil was made from fresh coconut and not dried. Because dried coconut have mycotoxins in them which is mold and is highly toxic. so please be aware . You can call the manufacturer if your in the store the phone number is right on the label and ask.
So, again make sure the coconut oil is Non-GMO and made from fresh coconuts
Coconut Oil, Ground Flaxseed
★★★★★
My six year old rescue, Ryan, has been treated for itchy skin ever since I got him 3 years ago. I tried homeopathy, Chinese medicine, salmon oil, (probably didn't use enough) until he almost chewed his tail off. I then had to resort to steroids and, finally, apoquel. It worked but I hated the thought of the possible side effects, plus it was expensive. A woman at the vet's said she'd used Yuderm and it had worked for her (after several weeks). I ordered it weeks ago but it has just arrived, so haven't tested it yet. I'd ran out of the salmon oil so decided to use the coconut oil I had in the kitchen, (I never measured it), but about a teaspoonful mixed in with his food, plus about a teaspoonful of the ground flaxseed I happened to have at hand. He's 20kgs (about 44lbs) .
I also added about 1/2 teaspoonful of MSM (possibly slightly less), for good measure. He got this with his breakfast and with his dinner. It's been about 2 weeks now, and it's made a huge difference. He scratches every now and again, but in a normal way. The incessant scratching and licking have stopped. I'd just ordered some Apoquel for backup, but haven't had to use it yet. I read somewhere that it's the Omega 3 and Omega 6 that does it. It's
Unbelievable, the difference it's made. (I've also just had a look at the ingredients in Yuderm: 62.25% Flaxseed oil, 21% Salmon oil, 9% purified fish oil, and 7.5% Borage oil).
I don't think the MSM has anything to do with it, think it's just the coconut oil and the flaxseed that worked. And much much cheaper than the Yuderm!
Colostrum
★★★★★
I have a rescue pit bull who is around 10 years old. I've had him for around 5 years or so and throughout all of that time he has been plagued with itchy skin, ear infections and other allergies, sores between paws, sometimes vomits. His veterinarian advised me that its because his immune system is breaking down and that he will most likely have more frequent episodes. After some research and also after ordering an on line allergy kit to get an idea of what his worst sensitivities are I decided to try colostrum since probiotics didn't seem to work. Changing his diet helped a lot but within a day or so after supplementing him with colostrum, the scratching stopped. I just started so I will report back after a month or so but I'm very encouraged.
Corn Starch
★★★★★
I had dachshund, that broke out with a skin rash, also my R. Ridge back, the Dr's started them both on cordacoze I didn't really like using the drugs. One day one of my friends saw his bleeding around his neck and stomach and suggested corn starch I got a hand ful of cornstarch and rub his neck and stomach and the next day he wasn't bleeding and 1 week later both dogs and no signs of the rash it was great. I was so excited this was so amazing, and I still use it today.
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
My dogs were itching and scratching also, their skin is dry and irritated. My brother-in-law raises coon dogs and he is the best doctor ever. My pom pom's ears was always itching for over a year. Doctors gave me prescriptions and prescribed dog food also, none of it worked. My brother-in-law told me to take the grain out of their food. buy grain free dog food and put cooking grease in their food. I put old cooking grease in their food everyday and their coat is so pretty now. The key is grain free food and old cooking grease in their food and in a week watch the change. WOW. Like magic!
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
My bulldog has allergies. Harley would itch and lost hair. I finally changed his dog food several times before I realized that he was allergic to yeast. Yeast is in almost every treat and dog food. Read every ingredient carefully. I ended finding a great new brand called NULO he likes the north atlantic cod and turkey. He stopped itching and losing hair and has been fine, it's all natural. Hope this will help all the itchy pups out there. :)
Dietary Changes
★★★★☆
I went this website to see if Yogurt would be helpful for my dogs. I wanted to add that I use the herbal spice Turmeric every night in their food along with liquid aloe and I feed a totally grain free diet. It has really seemed to help. I have two very itchy boxers so I am always looking for ideas to help them.
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
Re: itchy skin dogs and cats
I was wondering if the Apple Cider Vinegar sprayed on the animals burns. It has got to hurt if the skin is raw. Also, organic coconut oil works great. Most times it is the food they are allergic too. After reading these sites I switched food and the fur on both my German Sheppards and 8 cats all changed for the better. My fat cats lost weight and look great.
My friends dog was scratching himself to death. She changed foods 4 times,, but each time it was another garbage type
food.
You must see:
http://www.petfoodratings.net/
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
I have 3 dogs and took my 15 year old dog, Max, whom I've written about numerous times on this site, to a holistic vet in July. Because he was going #2 every 3-4 hours, the vet advised me to take him off his senior food and put him on another brand of food with less fiber. I slowly switched Max to another holistic brand. Well, changing to a new brand of food cured Max of his constant bowel movements, but within a few days, one of my other dogs, Tuxy, whom I also switched over to the new food, started itching and scratching. Within a week he was itching and scratching like no tomorrow: morning, afternoon, evening, middle of the night, scratch scratch scratch, bite bite bite. Poor boy! I surmised pretty quickly that the new brand of food was causing his new itchy skin issue, as I found no sign of fleas on him when I used the flea comb. What eased the scratching but did not solve the problem was to add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to Tuxy's evening food and a small clove of garlic mashed up just once every few days. I also bathed him and finished the bath with an oatmeal rinse. I put 1/2 cup of instant oats in a Bodum pot (the kind that pushes the coffee grounds down to the bottom) and then filled up the rest of the Bodum with hot water and let it sit while I was shampooing him. Once I rinsed off the shampoo, I poured the oatmeal water over him and did not wash it off. I could tell he was feeling pretty good after that and the scratching stopped for about a day.
At any rate, I ordered Tuxy's old brand of food online and just got it delivered yesterday. Amazingly enough, he has almost stopped scratching after only 1 day back on his old food!! So I am guessing he had either a yeast overgrowth or allergies in connection to the new food. Isn't it interesting that he started to scratch right away on the new food and stopped scratching just as fast on the old food?!
If your dog has skin allergies or yeast issues, consider that their food may be the culprit!
(Atlanta, Ga)
05/04/2010
What was the food you ordered? My lab mix puppy scratches too. She doesn't have scabs, but scratches as soon as she wakes up.
EC: Blackwood was the brand I ordered. However, I have since switched them all to Taste of the Wild (Salmon).
Note: Be careful with higher quality holistic foods - two of my dogs gained about 7 pounds in 6 weeks on Taste of the Wild (Bison and Venison) and are now on a strict diet!
Deirdre
(Dallas, Tx)
01/27/2011
★★★★★
I've been the round with dogfoods and as I have a lot of dogs & 3 cats; it's been difficult to find a holistic brand with guaranteed ingredients that don't have grain, or a lot of fat, that I can afford. Pancreatitus is a danger with the high fat brands & if your dog is not an actual working dog in a cold climate, there's a definte risk of this. Grain is responsible for diabetes, yeast infections, & allergies in dogs. One of my little males suffered through 3 rounds of pancreatitus years ago from ProPlan (my vet commented on the high fat content, but it didn't register with me at the time) plus he & 2 of his daughters last fall had a seizure type reaction from one I thought was ok (Blue). Wellness is what I feed them now, with no problems. ACV in their drinking water has improved their coat & skin condition even more. Will be trying coconut oil on one ex-feral cat who continues to have severely itching skin, who vomited the ACV water & refuses to drink it after one episode.
(Florence, Ky, Usa)
03/14/2011
★★★★☆
I have a 10 yr old Akita that has suffered from itchy skin for a number of years. It first started when she was bout 7 and then we took her to the vet, got a cortisone shot and she was better for a time. Then about a year ago it came back worse than ever. She was also having trouble with her joints and biting them, mostly her hips.
After doing some research on this site I decided to try a combination of things. Every meal along with her Taste of the Wild food, she gets, 1-2 cloves of garlic , chopped into small pieces (I started with one to see how she reacted and then when she showed no negative side effects, gave her more). About 1 teaspoon of ginger root, chopped up, 3 scoops of organic yogurt, 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil, and 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses (to help with her joints). Within a month of using this combination, her skin cleared up, coat looks shiny, and she is bouncing around like she used to. She still has 2 hot spots on her chest but I think it is due to our location. Hope this helps!
Epsom Salt Baths
My dog sometimes has mild itching and I wonder if Epsom salt as a bath or soak would be safe to use on my dog? I use Epson salt for my feet as I sometimes have rashes and it takes away itching. I was wondering if Epson salt would work for my dog? Thanks
Filtered Drinking Water
★★★★★
If your pet has allergies, be sure to give them filtered water - no tap water. My little 18 year old tabby starts itching as soon as she starts drinking tap water. I buy her bottled water and that does the trick.
Is it fluoride exposure? Hard to say - but it works!
MyWay :D
