Question

My dog itches himself constantly. Reccos for OTC items that won't make him tired?  

Answer 1

He may have allergies. My dog did the same thing, and it turned out she’s allergic to chicken- which is one of the main ingredients in many foods and treats.  

Comments

@rafiq chicken is everywhere! Our pup can't tolerate poultry at all (but it's a GI issue, not itchy) and it was impossible to find puppy food without chicken! He's good now, but it was so frustrating when he was little

Answer 2

Try childrens benedryl.  

Answer 3

Does benadryl help?  

Answer 4

Apoquel. You'll need a prescription but a lot of vets are doing tele visits right now if we've seen you in the last year. Also a good bath helps as allergens make dogs itch because they are on the skin and fur rather than in the body.  

Comments

Mal-a-ket is my favorite shampoo. It has anti yeast and bacterial stuff in it. Once a week if no crusty rashy, bald skin. Every 3 days if your dog has any of those signs.  

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@benefactor is this shampoo OTC? We have an RX shampoo but our vet can’t get it any longer.  

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@percolator yes. I can find it in amazon usually. Dechra is the company. Called mal-a-ket. Shampoo. There is also a spray. Some studies showed that this specific product had chlorhexidine that maintained its potency. I "guess" it's a tricky compound and gets less potent with other ingredients. So this specific brand passed a lot of derm tests. (Last I learned at a derm ce).  

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@benefactor ok sounds good. I always use a Chlorhexidine based wash but my poor pooch. She is a mess, especially with not being able to be groomed.  

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Sometimes yeast is worse. So a good chlorhex strength and this has anti yeast stuff too. Good luck! <3

Answer 5

We used Benadryl but when that didn’t work anymore the dr. Gave us apoquel. It worked great!  

Comments

@cervin136 is apoquel an injection?  

Answer 6

Coconut oil!  

Answer 7

@ssr3016 any suggestions?  

Comments

@scarlett Wipe paws & back with damp towel when they come inside. If possible, bathe them at least once a week. It helps keep allergens off. Moe has to get shots for his allergies & even those don’t seem to give great relief.  

Answer 8

Jax & Daisy shampoo. Just read their reviews. Well worth it.  

Answer 9

Sounds like allergies, cut out chicken and beef and if it persists then cut out wheat flour. And no table scraps. I have allergy pups and this is what they do also

Answer 10

We use this. You can get it on amazon. It works for our older dog.  

Answer 11

Two Bostons Pet Boutique has great products and when The Upscale Tail Pet Grooming, Naperville, IL reopens, they have great treatments for skin and coat. @mutt

Answer 12

Apoquel is the only thing that seems to work with my bull dog and medicated shampoo

Answer 13

If it’s a specific spot, Petsmart sells “hot spot” gel that works for our pup. She also has allergies in the spring and our vet told us we can give her a standard OTC antihistamine, so we give her the same loratadine that I take (10mg). Non drowsy and you can gets a bottle of 365 pills for like $10 at Costco

Answer 14

Apoquel is amazing

Answer 15

Talk to your vet about food allergies.  

Comments

@marino4 I second this. Our dog did it forever and we didn’t know why. Was a poultry allergy. He had eaten chicken based food for a while. We had no idea. Switched to fish and it worked wonders. Good luck!  

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@westfall8649 our dog kept getting ear infections and the doc suggested switching proteins since we were already no grain. Switched from chicken/turkey to fish and no ear scratching or ear infections since!  

Answer 16

One of my dogs had allergies that made him itchy as soon as spring arrived. I gave him Claritin everyday.  

Answer 17

It might be his food

Answer 18

If his food hasn’t changed it is likely spring time allergies. Our dog just started about 2 weeks ago. Vet advised a children’s Zyrtec once a day during high pollen season. It has worked great and she is not drowsy from it. Most vets are open for phone call questions to get more info specific for your dog as well.  

Answer 19

Benedryl works. I give my Golden Retriever only 1 pill a day. The dr said she can take up to 3, 3 times a day. But if I give her 1 it seems to be enough to take the edge off without making her too drowsy. She typically is on Apoquel during allergy season instead but this year to avoid the vet we did benedryl

Answer 20

No OTC recs BUT get Cytopoint Injections as soon as you can get into the vet. GAMECHANGER for most dogs!  
https://www.cytopoint4dogs.com

Answer 21

I have an allergy chew that's all natural and a skin spray if you're interested in?  

Answer 22

Apoquil is great just super expensive.  

Answer 23

Also figured out my dog is allergic to chicken so I have to do LID foods