Oil to ease dog itching

[No Lie]

Hi folks

Can anyone recommend a mix of oils to use for one of my dogs? She seems to get a 'summer itch' on her belly and scratches it quite a lot. Then it gets red and sore. Then it itches even more! Last year we used something from the vets which was like vasoline but I wondered if there was something more natural to use without chemicals?

Thanks in advance [sm=dogrun.gif]

 

[StephenFox]

hi, dont know much to do with aromatherapy for animals, but if it was me and i was wanting something for my cat, i would mix maybe lavender or chamomile into a water spray bottle with water and spray it on the area once or twice a day but i would dilute the essential oils down really well like with a child or i may use unrefined shea butter as its natural and use it as and whenneeded, i havent had anythink like that with my cat but i do use african black soap to wash the cats coat as i find that if she been around trees and get sticky with tree gum nothing get it out but black soap plus she suffers with dandruff and this helps her coat.
hope this helps
regards
dye

 

[david f]

For the itching dog, it could either be an allergy to a grass or some other plant around her, or an allergy to some biting parasite on her. If she is quite a short dog, allergy to grasses could be a big part of the problem. Is she a shorter dog than your other dogs?

I'd try just plain jojoba oil, but you may have to put up with oily spots where she lies down (I suppose you had vasoliney spots last summer?) It won't matter if she licks the jojoba, if anything it will help give her a shiney coat

Another idea is oatmeal water before the putting the jojoba on, she'd probably quite enjoy having her belly bathed with oatmeal water in the heat! The following is off a skincare website for humans, but it's safe for dogs too....

"Oatmeal Water is obtained by immersing an oatmeal stocking in warm water and allowing the mucilage from the oats to seep out.

Firstly, purchase inexpensive stockings from the supermarket then place a hand inside one of the legs, grab a handful of oats then remove your fist while turning the stocking inside out. Tie a knot to form an oatmeal ball then cut and repeat until you have approximately 10-12 oatmeal balls. Store in a dry place and keep on hand to help relieve some of the symptoms associated with eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis such as itching, burning and tightness.

These oatmeal balls can be placed in a warm bath or for more concentrated oatmeal water, placed in a basin of warm water. The soothing 'milky' water can then be wiped over the skin with cotton wool or a muslin cloth.

NEVER allow moisture to evaporate on the skin. Apply Pure Jojoba straight away. This helps to lock in much needed moisture to hydrate and relax the surface of the skin. "



Re cats and essential oils - cats metabolise essential oils very differently to humans, I'll try and dig up the research. Essential oils used on cats very very quickly reach toxic levels and extreme care should be taken. Dogs metabolise essential oils similarly to humans, not nearly as much of a concern.

***added*** dug up some info on cats and essential oils http://www.aromaticsage.com/wary.htm

 

[pmehnuraizqiscejy]

Hi Caveman. Do you only want to try aromatherapy? only my mothers dog had such a bad sore on her leg through itching and biting that the vet could not get it to clear up. She got some calendula (don't trust my spelling) powder from Nelsons homopathic supplies by post. It was brillant and completely cleared up the sore. Hope this helps, Greengrass.

 

[etf_luvr<3(=]

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies

dye,
that sounds good - how much essential oil ie. amount of drops would I need, say per 50ml of water?

cola,
Lacey is a lurcher, same as her sister. However, she seems to spend more time lying on the lawn. We didn't get any marks on her bed last year but I always rubbed it in well. I may try jojoba thanks, and will have a look at the oatmeal thing tonight.

greengrass,
Not particularly, but I just wanted something natural, without chemicals. Calendula sounds good also.

xxx

 

[AUM]

hi, I would use 2 drops of essential oilsin 50mls of water as you dont need alot to help and i would spray it on first thing in the morning, this way the dog will be running around doing her own thing and wont notice what you have done, if you was to do it last thing at night you may find she would just lick at it. make sure you shake the bottle up to keep it mixed before you use it each time.
please let me know how you get on.
there is so many thing that could cause this, the heat, fabrics, ie her bed, i dont think it would be fleas or ticks as you would be the first to know, how you write about your dog shows that you are on the ball, so it could be anything you know what animals are like, I had a chinchilla once that was allergic to sand so he could never have a sand bath like the others, i had to bath him in water.I dont half pick them!
regards
dye

 

[n i n j a - c o o k i e]

Thanks Dye

It's the same as last year, seems to happen toward the middle/end of summer and I'm sure its just to do with something in the garden, probably the bugs or grass. It wouldn't be her bed or anything like that as she only gets it when she's been spending more time outside ie. when its nice weather. Funny though, cos her sister doesn't get it [8D]

Will get some chamomile over the w/e

Have a good one!

 

[Lutz]

Just to update...

I happened to be in PetWorld getting some food and treats so thought I'd see what they had. I ended up getting a tub of Johnsons Tea Tree Skin Cream which seems like a natural product with TT and Lavender in. No nasty ingredients added. Seems to work fine and rubs in easily.

 

[Lindsey and Ariel]

hi,
i am glad it works, thank you for letting us all know, that saves on you getting the aloe vera plant and hiding it away from the dog like we discussed,.
you know i cant look at an aloe vera plant without them thoughts running in my head, cheers for that hehe!!!
stay well
regards
dye