If your dog is licking their paws…
It’s probably time to adjust his diet or take him to the vet! Most skin allergies and itchies are from their food. You’d be surprised how many french bulldog owners talk about omitting a certain protein or ingredient and miraculously, their skin and coat get better.
But in the meantime, try this natural remedy of oatmeal and baking soda for relief from dry skin, hot spots and allergic reactions.
Why oatmeal?
Oats contain polysaccharides, leaving a sort of protective film on the skin, relieving dryness and itching. Baking soda deodorizes, balances the skin’s pH and cleans. Because this combo is natural, you can safely use it weekly.
Weston occasionally licks his paws, so this is a great temporary solution while we switch his food around. This actually is the first time we gave him a foot soak! I just filled the tub up with 2 inches of warm water and the ingredients. You can use a big container or kiddie pool too.
Ingredients:
1 cup oatmeal (I only had steel cut oats but figure they are about the same)
1/2 cup baking soda
Optional: 1-2 drops of essential oil (I added Argan oil. It’s super moisturizing!)
Make sure to pop the oatmeal in a blender or food processor to get it to a fine powder so it dissolves in the bath. This is the main reason regular oatmeal is definitely better than the steel cuts. They’re a sturdier oat and didn’t grind down to a powdery finish.
Stay in soak 10-15 minutes.
Weston hated every second of it, haha. He’s not a fan of water. But I’m hoping this makes a difference for paw relief!
Does this work for all dogs? I might be adopting an English bulldog from the dog cafe in LA soon!
Can you give us an update on how the oatmeal bath worked for Weston’s foot allergies? I have a Frenchie who is also experiencing some pretty bad itching/redness on his paws, I’m wondering if this will give him some relief while I figure out his diet. Thanks!
Essential oils can be extremely harmful to pets and I would not advise using baking soda for irritated skin because it is very drying. Lots of people use baking soda for acne spot treatments because it dries the pimple and for some it can cause burning. However, the oatmeal is a great idea! Very soothing and great for their coat and skin!