![]() ![]() Have you already installed a humidifier, but your dog's winter itch symptoms won't disappear? The indoor temperature might be to blame. The list of efficient pet-friendly humidifiers is extensive, so feel free to conduct some research before settling on a brand. Does your canine companion have a predilection for a certain room? Install a small humidifier toĪdd more moisture to the air and make it healthier for your dog's skin. Provide a humid environment within your home Īlthough the outdoor weather is out of our reach, you have a saying in the quality of the air your dog breathes.Sheild your dog's skin from snow, water, and road salt or ice melt.Even if they already have dry skin, you can follow these steps, and their skin should naturally return to normal: The best way to treat your dog's dry skin in winter is to prevent them from getting itchy skin in the first place. They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and the same goes for your dog's skin in winter. Anything from dog jackets to dog beds (remember that the floor is the coldest part of the house unless you have a floor heating system) can help hot-weather dogs from becoming too cold and deteriorating their skin health. However, other breeds, such as Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Basset Hounds, are in more need of bundling up during winter. Samoyeds, Alaskan Malamutes, and American Eskimo dogs) receive additional protection against chilly wind and frosty air from their thick, double coats. #4: Is Your Dog a Cold-Weather or a Hot-Weather Dog?Ĭertain dogs are delighted by cold weather, whereas others simply abhor it. This way, you can nip the problem in the bud and prevent the parasites from being transmitted to your family. In such cases, precaution is the best approach, so don't hesitate to take your dog to a veterinarian. Scratching excessively in one particular spot and redness are clear signs of skin parasites. Don't forget to read one of our past articles on all of the household hazards that can cause allergic reactions in your dog! #3: Infections and ParasitesĬan indoor parasites cause the winter itch? Absolutely! Just like the outdoor environment, your home can harbor numerous parasites that feed off your dog's skin, such as fungi and bacteria. Certain day-to-day products, such asįabric softeners, harsh cleaning chemicals, and plants, can have the same negative effect on your dog's skin. The older the dog is, the higher the sensitivity to these allergens. Since he spends more time indoors during the winter months, your dog is more exposed to allergens that can attack and cause allergic reactions in your dog's skin. Your home may be harboring more indoor allergens than you might think. The same scenario applies to indoor settings, where the dry winter air becomes even drier due to heat. Lack of moisture is exacerbated by strong winds and frigid temperatures, which will take a heavier toll on your dog's already dry, itchy skin. The chilly, dry air brought by the advent of winter is incapable of holding as much moisture as the warm summer air. The seasonal change comes with an overall decrease in air quality. If your dog is scratching excessively or focusing his scratching on one spot, or you notice skin issues beyond just dry, flaky skin, take him to the veterinarian. Keep in mind that dry skin is also a symptom of many canine skin conditions unrelated to winter, including fungal infections, bacterial infections, parasites, reactions to medications, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune diseases. These responses may be more common in older dogs, some of whom are extra sensitive to allergens and irritants. Indoors, you have the same dry air plus heat, which pulls even more moisture from the air.ĭogs sensitive to indoor allergens, such as dust mites and mold, may experience worsening symptoms when cooped up inside the house. Dry skin is exacerbated when the wind blows frosty blasts of air or frigid temperatures. Outside, the colder air simply holds less moisture than warm air. Winter brings drier air, outdoors and indoors, which is highly drying for the skin. What Can Cause a Winter Allergy in Your Dog? Today's article will cover everything you need to know about the winter itch, its causes and symptoms, and the proper ways to treat dry, itchy canine skin during the chilly winter season. Either from poor air quality or household hazards, your dog's skin might show signs of winter allergies, and it's best to identify the symptoms of dry, itchy skin before they cause unending scratching sessions and affect his well-being. ![]() Has the harsh winter season affected the health of your dog's skin? Do you lay in bed and hear thump, thump, thump? The winter season brings about the winter itch, a state of dryness and itchiness that affects your dog's skin, in the cold areas of the country, from December through February.
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