Questions about dog behavior and training? Send them to:
sandersagility@gmail.com.



Saturday, January 12, 2008

A Home-Made Anti-Itch Lotion

This information originally appeared in the Manning Dog Training newsletter about a year ago. Since then, I've had so many requests for the info that I'm posting it here forever.

Betty Pace gave me this "recipe" last year when my pit bull Lizzie was having severe skin problems. Betty got it from another Schnuazer-mom who used it on her dog's itchy feet. Betty tried it too and swears by the results.

I used it on Lizzie with limited success, because her itching was caused by demodectic mange, which was a bit more complicated. BUT.....I used it on my OWN mosquito bites and minor skin abrasions last summer, and it worked better than any ready-made remedy I've ever purchased! It's inexpensive, all natural, and easy to mix up. If you have a dog with itching problems caused by allergies, insect bites, healing wounds, sunburn, or hotspots, give it a try.
You will need:
*witch hazel
*aloe vera gel
*tea tree oil
*lavendar (optional)
*and a 4-ounce spritzer bottle.

You can get all these ingredients at any drugstore.

Fill the spritzer bottle about half and half with the witch hazel and aloe vera gel. Add about 15 drops of tea tree oil. If you want to make it smell even better, add a few drops of lavendar. Shake it up. It will have the consistency of a thin lotion. Apply the lotion daily or as needed, and gently massage into the affected areas.

40 comments:

Unknown said...

I would very much like to try this recipe, but I had a question. The witch hazel and aloe carried at my drugstore has alcohol in it. Is that the same with the products you used?

Unknown said...

nice blogs.Herbal care Natural lotion are really helpful for them who are fed up of using skin lotion products contains chemicals which make skin rough and bad using chemicals again and again when I start using natural products by lass cosmetics I found my skin become so natural so as i have in my young age. Herbal products are really affective make skin more Charismatic.

Em said...

I love the all natural remedy, but be careful when using tea tree oil; it is very toxic if ingested. If you are applying this to your dog's skin, make sure they are not licking it off, as they could become very ill.

Anonymous said...

thanks - I'm going to give this a try - my poor Shih Tzu is suffering & prescriptions are just not helping in the long run.

c'est moi said...

You'd have to ingest A LOT of tea tree oil for it to be toxic. (Herbalist)

c'est moi said...

You'd have to ingest A LOT of tea tree oil for it to be toxic. (Herbalist)

c'est moi said...

You'd have to ingest A LOT of tea tree oil for it to be toxic. (Herbalist)

Michelle said...

Can I use this on my cat with skin problems?

SweetHealthyLiving said...

You should never use tea tree on an animal

Unknown said...

I ALWAYS used tea tree oil in my dogs shampoo and as a dip with warm water, It kills and repells their fleas for a long time! Done it for years!!

Unknown said...

How long have you used tea tree oil on your pets? I hesitate to use something toxic on my wife's baby, her Shih Tzu. Is it really safe and in what quantity?

Unknown said...

WIll NEVER USE TEA TREE Oil again.. It is VERY toxic. Almost lost our Aussie after treating her for a wart in a place she could not lick it off... Skin absorbtion... Save some worry and heartache for yourself and don't use any products with tea tree oil.. not even the shampoos.. maybe the majority of dogs can tolerate it but some don't.

Unknown said...

WIll NEVER USE TEA TREE Oil again.. It is VERY toxic. Almost lost our Aussie after treating her for a wart in a place she could not lick it off... Skin absorbtion... Save some worry and heartache for yourself and don't use any products with tea tree oil.. not even the shampoos.. maybe the majority of dogs can tolerate it but some don't.

LauraLee said...

You have to be so careful of the source you get your tea tree from ( as with any product - especially oils and essential oils - most are synthetic or refined and thus are toxic). Find a doTerra consultant near you or look it up online. doTerras oil is pure and you can even ingest it. They have it listed under it's true name Melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifolia).

kba said...

Is the tea tree oil added to repel fleas? I have read that peppermint also repels fleas. Could it be used in place of the tea tree oil since there seems to be concerns about the toxicity of the tea tree oil?

Unknown said...

Because....?Why??

Unknown said...

Because....?Why??

Mommy34567 said...

I am going to try this. My dogs have been itching. I have used flea meds the good kind. If you use just little bit of tea tree oil it is ok. I used it before and my dogs were fine.

Unknown said...

Tea Tree is completely safe to use for pets when properly diluted. And as previously stated here by another person, you would have to ingest a lot of it for it to be unsafe. Please (everyone), do your research before claiming something is or is not safe to use. After all, God has given us many great natural solutions, if we learn how to use them responsibly and safely.

Carol said...

can you use it in the ears on a dog (yorkie poo)

Carol said...

can you use it in a dogs ear (yorkie poo)

TralleArt said...

I am a real believer in home remedies. I have a Shih Tzu and she is very allergic to tea tree oil. I worked as a representative of Melaleuca. Please if you use this oil in any amount on you or your animals test it on a small area that can be washed and treated should you or your animal show any reaction. I believe in Tea Tree oil and I personally use it, but any again will I put it on any animal without testing it carefully.

Traci said...

Tea tree oil is great for humans, but can be very toxic to pets. If you choose to use it make sure it is VERY diluted. Others here saying " you would have to ingest a lot of it for it to be toxic" That's correct, if YOU are ingesting it, but It's another matter all together where your pets are concerned!!! Please use caution and do your research before using this on pets. It would be great for humans though :)

Unknown said...

Great Recipe! I used vitamin E oil instead of Tea Tree Oil because of the concerns of toxicity and needed to use it on my Golden Retrievers entire body. He had very dry skin from so much swimming, sand, and biting fly bites. IT WORKED GREAT!!

Unknown said...

Great Recipe! I used vitamin E oil instead of Tea Tree Oil because of the concerns of toxicity and needed to use it on my Golden Retrievers entire body. He had very dry skin from so much swimming, sand, and biting fly bites. IT WORKED GREAT!!

Unknown said...

I usually give our dog a chewable children's Benadryl.sges big enough she could do 2/an adult dose, but the 1/2 dose world's almost instantly and very well. This recipe sounds good. I think I'll sub the tea tree oil for vitamin E as well. TayMar Lukes to lick, taste and eat any and everything you gut on or near her.

Unknown said...

Put on, or near*

Unknown said...

What do you use around the eyes?

Unknown said...

DO NOT USE tea tree oil formulated for human use on your pets. It affects a dog's nervous system and can kill the dog, depending on how strong it is, how much of it you use, and the size of your dog. Essential oil (oil that is 100% tea tree oil) should NEVER be used on a dog or cat. They do not metabolize things the same way humans do. I refer you to this page:
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/tea-tree-oil/

Essential oils in general should be treated with respect. They are highly concentrated and contain organic compounds which may or may not be good for your pet and can even irritating to humans if not properly diluted. Please use caution before using any essential oil on your pet and do some *serious* research to make sure it is specifically safe for your pet and how much it needs to be diluted.

Unknown said...

Sometimes it can take a while for the toxicity of something to build up in your dog's body enough for you to realize something is wrong. So you can use a remedy "for years" before you realize your dog is ill, at which point you probably won't think to tell your vet you've been using something toxic on him, because in your mind, it isn't harmful. As an example, I know someone who feeds her dogs several toxic foods (raisins, chocolate, etc.), but since "it's never hurt him," she refuses to believe those are bad for her dog and to stop giving them as treats. But her refusal to acknowledge fact doesn't change the laws of toxicity.

Unknown said...

glad I read the comments about tea tree oil and I will avoid just to be sure for now until I have time to research. wondering if anyone knows if coconut oil could be used instead??

Unknown said...

Here's an article about coconut oil written by a vet. My main concern would be pancreatitis, which is pretty bad. Any time we add fat/oil to our pet's diet, we should watch out for that. If your dog gets TONS of exercise, it's not as much a concern as if s/he is a housedog who only gets periodic walks or ball-chasing sessions. (ie. my dogs go on a 4-mile hike every day, plus they chase the ball for half an hour, so I don't worry so much about the extra fish oil I give them for their skin) http://www.thedrakecenter.com/blogs/risks-and-benefits-coconut-oil-for-pets

Unknown said...

By the way, we have found Musher's Secret to be really helpful with the dog's paws every summer. It's food-grade wax with nothing toxic in it for the pups, and it helps keep their paws moisturized and free of irritants, as it forms a barrier on their skin. We apply it once a week. You can buy it on Amazon, and a can of it lasts FOREVER.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for the info! Very helpful :):)

suzyb said...

You had me until tea tree oil. Not only toxic but also drying if used regularly :(

Unknown said...

You can also use Young Living. Their oils are high quality and pure.

Unknown said...

You can also use Young Living. Their oils are high quality and pure.

Unknown said...

Just a Note to keep in mind when using anything on your dog natural or otherwise: Sight hounds and working breeds such as aussies and border collies and shelties collies greyhounds whippets are usually much more sensitive to things that in any other curcumstance would not bother other breeds.

Unknown said...

You can use tea tree oil on your dogs, it’s very helpful in cleansing. If you think they will lick it off just dilute in water before adding to a mixture. It’s safe if used right.

S star said...

Just like people, dogs too are prone to allergies that manifest in a specific way. Allergic reactions occur when the dog’s body is hyper-reactive to ingredient and components that aren’t necessarily harmful to the dog, but the immune system registered them like ones.

Click here for more information dog allergy treatment