This article was co-authored by Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA. Deanne Pawlisch is a Certified Veterinary Technician, who does corporate training for veterinary practices and has taught at the NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant Program at the Harper College in Illinois and in 2011 was elected to the board of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation. Deanne has been a Board Member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation in San Antonio, Texas since 2011. She holds a BS in Anthropology from Loyola University and an MA in Anthropology from Northern Illinois University.
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From allergies to hot spots, an oatmeal soak can be a remedy for any cause of canine skin irritation. Start by grinding a cup (240 mL) of raw, plain oatmeal into a fine powder. Fill the tub with warm water, mix in the oatmeal powder, and soak your pup for 15 minutes. If your dog doesn’t tolerate baths, you could also try spot-treating itchy patches with an oatmeal paste. Check with your veterinarian before you try any home remedies on your dog, including an oatmeal bath.
Steps
Making the Bath
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1Grind a cup of plain oatmeal into a fine powder. Grab some plain, raw oatmeal without sugar, fruit, or other flavoring additives. Use a food processor or coffee grinder to blend a cup (240 mL) of it until you’ve created a fine powder.[1]
- The powder will dissolve in water better.
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2Place a non-slip mat in your tub. Before filling the tub, be sure to lay down a bath mat. Slipping is a hazard whenever you give your dog a bath. Adding oatmeal will make things extra slick, so your dog will probably have a hard time keeping its balance.[2]Advertisement
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3Fill your tub with warm water and add the oatmeal. Fill your tub up to your dog’s chest level. Just estimate - don’t stick your dog in the tub yet. Then, use your hand and arm or a large spoon to stir in the oatmeal until it’s fully dissolved.
- For cases of severe itchiness, make the water cooler. Don’t run a cold bath, but just make it a little cooler to the touch.
Bathing Your Dog
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1Place your dog in the bath and encourage it with praise. Carefully lift your dog into the tub, and give it a moment to adjust. Offer it lots of verbal praise and pet it to help it stay calm. You can also use treats and toys to keep it distracted.[3]
- Your dog will probably find immediate relief, so it might like the oatmeal bath even if it doesn’t usually tolerate tub time.
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2Massage its coat and let it soak for 15 minutes. Scoop up water to get your dog’s head, back, and shoulders wet, but avoid wetting its face and ears. Using circular motions, gently massage the oatmeal deep into its fur to reach the skin. For the best results, keep your dog in the oatmeal bath for 15 minutes.
- Don’t use shampoo when giving your dog an oatmeal bath.
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3Drain the tub and rinse your dog. You don't need to wash your dog after the bath, but you should give it a light rinse to remove any lingering bits of oatmeal, which could irritate the dog after they dry or create a mess in your home. Use a cup to pour warm, clean water over your dog.
- If you have a detachable shower sprayer, you could use it to rinse the dog if it's set on a low setting.
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4Towel dry your dog. Thoroughly dry the dog with a warm towel, making sure that it isn't shivering. Monitor your dog until it is fully dry to ensure that it isn't too cold.[4]
- Repeat the process once a day while your dog has symptoms.
Trying an Oatmeal Rub
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1Mix a half cup of oatmeal with a half cup of warm water. Mix a half cup (120 mL) each of raw, plain oatmeal and water until you’ve created a thick, gooey paste. Depending on the size of the affected area, you can make more or less paste. Just use equal amounts of oatmeal and water.[5]
- Since you’re making a paste instead of dissolving the oatmeal in a bath, you don’t have to grind it into a powder.
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2Wet the itchy areas. The spots where you’ll apply the paste need to be wet. If your dog tolerates being in a tub, lay down a bath mat, place it in the tub, and wet its fur down to the skin.
- If your dog doesn’t like tubs, try wetting the area with a towel soaked in warm water.
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3Spread the oatmeal with circular motions. Massage the paste thoroughly into the affected area. Massaging with circular motions will help stimulate blood flow and work the paste down onto the skin.[6]
- You could also place the paste into cheesecloth or a clean stocking, then cover the area with it. However, rubbing it in with your fingers instead will help you ensure you get down to the skin.[7]
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4Cover the area with a warm, damp towel. Once you’ve spread the paste, keep it covered with a warm towel for 5 to 10 minutes, or as long as you can keep your dog calm. Try using praise, treats, and toys to keep it distracted while you hold the towel on the itchy patch.[8]
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5Rinse away bits of oatmeal then towel dry your dog. You don’t have to give your dog a thorough rinse. Just rinse or wipe away bits of oatmeal, then towel dry your pup.[9]
- You can apply the oatmeal paste up to three times a day while your dog shows symptoms.
References
- ↑ https://www.dogids.com/blog/5-ways-soothe-dogs-itchy-skin/
- ↑ https://cleanerpaws.com/oatmeal-bath-dogs/
- ↑ http://cleanerpaws.com/oatmeal-bath-dogs/
- ↑ http://cleanerpaws.com/oatmeal-bath-dogs/
- ↑ https://www.vetinfo.com/using-oatmeal-paste-for-dogs-dry-skin.html
- ↑ https://www.vetinfo.com/using-oatmeal-paste-for-dogs-dry-skin.html
- ↑ http://cleanerpaws.com/oatmeal-bath-dogs/
- ↑ https://www.vetinfo.com/using-oatmeal-paste-for-dogs-dry-skin.html
- ↑ http://cleanerpaws.com/oatmeal-bath-dogs/
About This Article
To make a soothing oatmeal bath for your dog, start by grinding a cup of plain, raw oatmeal into a fine powder using a food processor or coffee grinder. Then, fill your bathtub with warm water and stir the oatmeal powder with a spoon until it’s fully dissolved. To start the bath, gentle place your dog into the tub and let it soak for 15 minutes. While your dog is soaking, massage its coat using circular motions to help the oatmeal reach the skin for more itch relief. When the soak is done, give your dog a light rinse to get any extra oatmeal off and dry your dog off with a warm towel. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to give your dog an oatmeal rub, read on!
