Discover the Absolute Best Homemade Dog Anti-Itch Spray 

dog tick treatment, the owner treats the dog from ticks and fleas in the park with grass in spring
© Yana Tikhonova/iStock via Getty Images

Written by Jennifer Magid

Published: October 25, 2023

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Suddenly, out of nowhere, it seems your dog can’t stop licking his feet and paws or scratching at his face. What do you do? First of all, don’t panic. Dogs can be itchy for all sorts of reasons. Your pup may be allergic to something in his food, or even have seasonal allergies much like humans do. There’s also the chance your dog has those dreaded fleas or ticks. The best thing you can do is take your dog to the veterinarian to have them assess what exactly is causing the itchiness. But if you’re sure your dog is itching due to a bug bite or something equally easy to diagnose,  there’s a cheap and easy way to soothe an itchy dog’s skin at home. 

Anti-Itch Spray for Dogs

A pug scratching on a white background

An at-home anti-itch remedy can temporarily soothe your dog’s bothersome spots.

©iStock.com/adogslifephoto

In a spray bottle, combine: 

50 percent apple cider vinegar 

50 percent water 

Add a small amount of lavender oil for a pleasant smell, if desired. Mix and spray on the itchy spots as needed.

Why does this work? Apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties that may help your dog’s skin feel better, especially if the itchy spots have some level of yeast overgrowth. But there are some things to keep in mind. you never want to use this solution on an open wound or raw skin, as it can be extremely painful and irritating for your pooch, and maybe even make the situation worse. Additionally, always dilute the vinegar with water to cut its strength. And finally, this spray isn’t a cure, but merely a way to temporarily make your dog feel better. If things don’t improve shortly or the itching seems to be extreme and in multiple places on your dog’s body, see your veterinarian as soon as you can.

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About the Author

Jennifer is a writer at A-Z Animals where her primary focus is on dogs, travel, and gardening. She holds a Master's Degree in Journalism from New York University. A resident of Connecticut who has lived all over the country, Jennifer enjoys working on trick training with her standard poodle, and spending time with her family outdoors.

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