In this article, I’m going to share my homemade and natural recipe of anti itch spray for dogs using Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), green tea, and mint.
The best part of this simple dog anti itch recipe is that it works! It can be used for dog’s itchy skin, paws, and skin allergies.
In short, I’m going to cover:
When To Use Homemade Dog Anti Itch Spray
So you have an itchy dog. First things first, everyone wants the quick fix but more important than what you put in at this point is what you STOP putting in. After all, if your friend has a shrimp allergy and you keep feeding him shrimp then you’re going to keep needing those drugs to stop the symptoms popping up.
In itchy dogs the top allergens are wheat, dairy, cooked meat (certainly chicken and beef for the moment), all useless chemicals (chemical flea and worm control and annual boosters for viruses). For more on this please read our highly popular article on Food Sensitivity in Dogs.
Once you have that bit sorted and you’re still seeing some itch, consider making up some apple cider vinegar for the dog’s itchy skin! This homemade dog itch spray below will reduce inflammation on the skin and kill any baddies there, cooling and soothing, providing immediate relief.
How To Make a Great Homemade Spray For Itchy Dogs
- Preparation time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook time: 10-15 minutes
- Total time: 20-30 minutes
This is so easy, quick and inexpensive. You need to pick up a bottle of organic apple cider vinegar making sure it is raw, organic and unfiltered and with “The Mother”. This is important as no chemicals or pesticides will have been used. (Bragg’s is a popular one). Next you need some good quality organic green tea, organic 100% pure aloe vera gel and organic mint leaves.
Ingredients
- Half a cup of ACV
- Half a cup of green tea
- One cup of boiled and cooled water
- 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
- 10 mint leaves
Instructions
- Simply add half a cup of ACV to half a cup of strong, cooled green tea (2 teabags is enough)
- Add this mix to a full cup of distilled water (boil some water and allow it to cool)
- Then add a teaspoon of aloe vera and 10 mint leaves
- Pop it into a spray bottle, give it a shake and it’s ready to be used. (Make sure it is not used on open wounds as may sting)
- Keep in the fridge and use when necessary
How to Apply The Spray On Itchy Skin of Your Dog
Simply remove the bottle from the fridge and apply the spray mist to any itchy and red parts of the skin. Do not spray on any broken skin as this could sting him and the last thing we need to do is make your itchy dog stressed! However, the spray can be applied daily.
When Should You Be Concerned About Your Dog’s Itchy Skin
If your pup has prolonged itchy skin or if the skin is broken and bleeding, it may be worth consulting your holistic vet for assistance. There are many reasons why your pup can have these problems and this homemade spray for itchy dogs is a great start but you do need to get to the root of the problem.
If you think the itchiness is not normal, and you want expert advice on it, feel free to book an appointment with me.
Benefits of Using Apple Cider Vinegar on Itchy Dogs
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is great stuff, everyone’s raving about it. The best ACV is the organic stuff containing “the mother” which is all the bits floating around in it. This ACV has the best proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria that we are after. You can find it in any good health store.
ACV is a top notch pro-biotic and is itself full of good bacteria making it both a brilliant addition to improve digestion but also a fantastic immune booster, hence its use in many digestive issues. ACV contains acetic acid making it one of the finest anti-bacterial, anti-septic and anti-fungal substances.
It is also shown to be great for diabetics, improving insulin sensitivity and reducing blood sugar in mice and humans. Several human studies show that ACV can increase satiety and the feelings of fullness, making people eat fewer calories. ACV can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and reduce blood pressure (in mice anyway), boosting heart health. Finally ACV has been shown to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours in rats.
For the supporting science please see this great article on apple cider vinegar by authoritynutrition.com, they’ve updated since with information on how ACV can even help with digestion, weight loss!
Benefits of Green Tea for Dogs’ Itchy Skin
Green tea is another wonder product! Cooling and soothing this tea is full of antioxidants and is great to boost your pups immune system. It reduces inflammation in the liver and gastrointestinal tract therefore helping your pups gut health which we all know is so important.
Benefits of Aloe Vera on Itchy Dogs
Aloe vera is also great stuff and we know the benefits it has on sunburnt skin for humans. This fantastic plant has the ability to draw out redness and heat in the skin. Make sure though folks that it is 100% organic, pure and without alcohol.
Benefits of Mint for Dogs with Itchy Skin
Mint can be free and found in your garden folks! It is nutrient rich and full of calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc. Plus it has the benefits of vitamin A and C. This calming, soothing herb also helps with upset tums and inhibits bacterial growth – what’s not to love about mint!
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Anti Itch Spray
1. Can dogs eat apple cider vinegar?
Yes, dogs can eat apple cider vinegar. ACV can also be beneficial for your dog internally and regulates blood sugar levels. It also is fantastic for gut and heart health. It can be added to your dog’s water bowl or given with his raw food.
2. Can dogs have green tea?
Yes, green tea is great for dogs’ skin. Tea poly-phenols have been shown to protect against skin cancer by securing skin free radicals and reducing inflammation, which is what is making him so itchy, certainly worth a go for your itchy dog for many reasons.
3. Can dogs have aloe vera?
Yes, aloe vera is the best herb for dog’s skin for many reasons. Aloe vera can also help with UTI’s, joint health and leaky gut. Aloe vera can be applied to the skin or found as juice. Please source it in its rawest, purest form possible. It must be 100% organic and pure and must not contain aloin.
4. Can dogs have mint?
Yes, mint will add a wonderful cooling effect to dog’s skin! It also helps to repel fleas and ticks and smells great. Full of so many vitamins and minerals, mint is essential for your pooch, it also inhibits bacterial growth. Mint grows like a weed so you may have some in your garden and it’s free!
