What Can I Use On My Dog For Bites, Stings and Itchy Skin?
If you are looking for a natural remedy for itchy dog skin, or a product with which to treat bites or stings on your dog, then my go to would be my Herbal Skin Salve.
It is particularly useful if you are looking to treat something naturally rather than reaching straight for a product you might buy over the counter at the vets or in a pet shop.
I should stress that this is not a replacement for veterinary care. If your dog has a serious problem and needs veterinary attention then please do not delay that. This is for those smaller situations where you are looking for something which is more of a herbal remedy.
Think of it as a useful thing to have in your dog first aid kit.
The herbs I use
I use five different herbs in this salve.
- Calendula, which is traditionally used to soothe minor skin complaints and is known for being anti inflammatory.
- Plantain, which is commonly chosen to support skin comfort.
- Comfrey, which has long been used in salves to support the skin’s natural recovery.
- Yarrow, which is valued in traditional remedies for calming care.
- Rosemary, which is widely used in skincare preparations and is said to have anti inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
How the salve is made
I take the dried herbs and infuse them in a sweet almond oil base.
This infusion takes time. I leave the herbs in the oil for a number of weeks and sometimes up to three months. This allows the herbs to slowly infuse into the oil.
Once the oil is ready I strain it and use that infused oil to create the salve. I mix it with coconut oil, beeswax and some additional sweet almond oil to form the finished product. As you can see, it is not a speedy process but is very much worth the effort. It is all hand made with cosmetic and food grade ingredients so you can be sure that what is in the tin is safe.
There are two versions available. One is fragranced and contains rosemary and patchouli essential oils. The other is fragrance free which also ensures it is free from many of the allergens found in essential oils and other fragrances.
A simple herbal approach
The thinking behind this salve is based on simple herbal remedies.
You might remember being stung by a stinging nettle as a child and someone telling you to rub a dock leaf on it to take the sting away. It is that same kind of idea. A simple herbal approach to help soothe irritated skin and one that has been around for centuries - with good reason.
My own experience using it
Personally, I have had some fantastic results with this salve.
One that really springs to mind being when we came home from a walk in the woods and my dog was really distressed. She was scraping her paws along the carpet and it was clear they were really itchy and irritated, I suspect she had walked through stinging nettles or some kind of new vegetation or growth that had irritated her paws. I put some of this salve on her paws and quite honestly even I was surprised at the speed it had an effect, within a few minutes she had settled right down and was fast asleep.
Feedback from other dog owners
I have also had some really lovely feedback from other people and there are some great reviews on the website as well.
It is one of those products that people often like to keep in their dog first aid kit so it is there if they suddenly need it.
How and where to use it
You can apply the salve as often as needed throughout the day and because it is 100% natural you really cannot overdo it. It can be used on any areas of skin on the body, including noses and paws if needed and the fragrance free version can also be used on puppies, pregnant bitches and dogs with sensitive skin.
It is also good to know the salve is safe to lick, that said - it does best when left to do it's job - if you are after a few hints and tips to distract your dog after applying the salve, have a read through this post.
Sizes and shelf life
The salve comes in two sizes. A 15g travel tin and a larger 60g tin.
It is very reasonably priced and the shelf life is 12 months or more.
Managing expectations
This is not a clinically trialled product and I cannot claim that it will cure or treat specific conditions, that doesn't mean it isn't tried and tested by many happy customers however!
But a quick reminder, if your dog has something that requires veterinary diagnosis or treatment then that should always come first. I always like to ask myself 'If this were a problem I had myself would I go to the doctor or try a product like this first'? If the latter then go for it.
Think of it more as a herbal remedy and a useful thing to have in your dog first aid kit. A simple option that can be very handy to have around.