Giving your dog an oatmeal bath can be a great way to relieve your pup's itchy, irritated skin. Today, our vets share a few tips on how to give your pooch a relaxing oatmeal bath to pamper and smooth their skin.
Why You Should Consider an Oatmeal Bath for Your Dog
It's fairly common for dogs' skin to become irritated. Itchy, dry skin or other dermatological problems can be uncomfortable for your pup, and frustrating for you. Skin issues in dogs can have a wide range of causes, from irritants or food allergies to seasonal changes.
Urgent veterinary care is required if your pooch is suffering from more severe skin irritation. Skin issues will not only make your pup feel miserable but may lead to infected lesions and more.
While your veterinarian should always look into the underlying cause of your dog's skin issue, an oatmeal bath is a great at-home remedy to remember when you need to help soothe a minor skin issue.
Benefits of Oatmeal Baths for Dogs
Oatmeal's protectant and anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe itchiness and skin irritation while also developing a protective barrier to lock moisture in and prevent dryness. Oatmeal is inexpensive and non-toxic for people and dogs. Plus, it's readily available.
Ingredients to Add to a Doggie Oatmeal Bath
Giving your dog an oatmeal bath is not only great for their skin - it's also super easy. You might even have most of the ingredients at home already. Here's what you'll need to make a homemade oatmeal bath for your dog:
- Blender, coffee grinder or food processor
- Plain, unflavored oatmeal (slow-cooking oats, instant oatmeal or quick oats will all work)
- Use ⅓ cup of oatmeal for small dogs
- Use ½ cup for medium to large breeds
- A child's paddling pool, a bathtub or a good-sized sink (for mini dogs) will do the trick.
- Warm water (do not use hot water since it can dry out the skin and lead to worse inflammation)
- Added moisturizers: While the following ingredients are not essential for a homemade oatmeal bath for dogs, they can add additional moisturizing properties to your mixture. Add these options to boose the moisturizing properties of your oatmeal bath.
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 cup of high-fat milk to make it extra creamy
Preparing The Soothing Oatmeal Mixture
Once you've gathered everything you need, mix them to make the perfect oatmeal bath shampoo for your pampered pooch. Here's what to do:
- Grind or blend your oats on the highest setting of your food processor, blender or coffee grinder, until it's a fine powder.
- Test your powder by stirring 1 tablespoon of your oatmeal powder into a glass of warm water. If the oats are fine enough the water should soon appear milky and feel smooth.
- If the liquid does not look milky, grind the oats to an even finer consistency and test again. Repeat the process until you've got a fine, milky solution that feels silky.
How To Give Your Dog an Oatmeal Bath
It's time for the main event once you've prepared your oat powder. As you bathe your dog, try to keep your pooch from drinking the water, though a lap or two of the solution won't hurt them.
- Begin pouring a warm bath and add your oatmeal powder mix, and moisturizing ingredients if using. Stir evenly.
- Fill the tub to a level that your dog will be comfortable with. Most dogs are good with water up to their tummy.
- Lift or coax your pup into the tub.
- Using a cup or plastic tub gently pour the oatmeal-infused bathwater over their head and body.
- Gently massage the water into their fur and skin ensuring that the oatmeal water completely soaks any patches of skin that are particularly itchy or irritated. The process can be a great opportunity to spend some calm quality time together, (although, admittedly if your dog hates baths serenity may not be achievable).
- Your goal is to have your dog soak in the mixture for 10 minutes or so, then use clean warm water to rinse off the mixture.
- Towel dry your dog being sure not to rub at the skin as this could remove the protective barrier provided by the oatmeal. Also avoid drying your pup with a hot hairdryer since this too can dry the skin. Once towelled off, brush your dog's fur as usual.
Spot Treatments During Your Dog's Oatmeal Bath
A full oatmeal bath may not be necessary if your canine companion only has small patches of itchy skin. Simply use the oatmeal bath ingredients to mix up a creamy paste, then apply directly to the irritated area and leave for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing and drying.
While oatmeal baths will not cure all of the skin conditions and diseases that could be causing your dog's skin to become dry and irritated, they can be a soothing addition to your pup's routine, especially during the dry winter months.
What to Do About More Severe Skin Irritations in Dogs
If your dog is suffering from a more severe dermatological problem or skin ailments such as an infection, allergy, flea infestation, or another skin issue, our team of experienced vets can assess your pup's skin condition and recommend treatments to help your pet feel better.
Thanks to our in-house lab, our vets can test samples and help confirm the cause of your pet's skin disorder, then develop a custom treatment plan to address it. Treatment for your dog's dermatological issue may include a therapeutic diet, environmental changes or other measures to help your pooch feel better and maintain healthy skin.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.