Today we're addressing a common concern for dog owners: itchy paws. Many of us have observed our dogs licking or gnawing at their paws, which is often a sign of discomfort. While it's essential to seek veterinary advice for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, there are also natural remedies available for milder cases, or to help while you wait to see your vet. Let's dive into these options for alleviating your dog's itchy paws.

Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal is not just for breakfast! It has remarkable anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe your dog's itchy paws. Simply grind oatmeal into a fine powder and mix it with warm water to make a paste. You can either apply this paste directly to your dog's paws or add it to their bath for a full-body relief.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has gained a reputation for being a miracle cure for various ailments, and it's excellent for treating itchy paws too! This oil possesses antifungal and antibacterial properties and is safe for dogs to consume internally as well. Gently massage a small amount of organic, virgin coconut oil into the affected areas on your dog's paws to provide relief.

Apple Cider Vinegar

If you're looking for an antibacterial and antifungal solution, apple cider vinegar (affiliate link) is your go-to remedy. Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar with water and use a spray bottle to apply it to your dog's paws. You could also fill your bath tub with enough water to cover your dogs paws and add a couple cups of ACV and then allow your dog to stand in the bath for a while. Make sure to avoid any open wounds, as vinegar can sting.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is not just a calming tea for humans; it also offers anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties that can help your pet. Brew some chamomile tea, allow it to cool, and then use it as a rinse for your dog's paws to soothe the itchiness. I use a Mudbuster cup to wash my dog’s feet after our walks, and find that it works really well for rinsing feet with any kind of herbal infusion. I also get my organic Chamomile flowers from Mountain Rose Herbs. Mountain Rose typically has the best quality and freshness compared with other herbal suppliers here in the USA.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is famous for its skin-soothing abilities. For best results, use pure aloe vera gel without alcohol or added ingredients. If using a product, look for one labeled “safe for pets” or “aloin-free”. You can also snip off a small piece of an aloe plant and apply the gel to the affected area for immediate relief. Be cautious with this one as large amounts of aloe, especially the skin of the plant can cause digestive upset if it’s ingested.

Epsom Salt Soak

An Epsom salt soak can work wonders for reducing inflammation and itchiness. Add a cup of unscented Epsom salts to a basin of warm water and let your dog soak its paws for about 10 minutes.

Herbal Balms

There are various herbal balms available that contain ingredients like calendula, known for its skin-soothing properties. Make sure all of the ingredients are safe for dogs to eat before using.

Apply a small amount to your dog's itchy paws to offer relief. There are plenty of options on Etsy or from a natural pet store, but you can also make your own by coconut oil or some other safe to eat oil with anti-fungal herbs like oregano or ones that help soothe itching like calendula.

Dietary Changes: The Inner Health Connection

Occasionally an itchy spot will just be an external skin irritation or bug bite that can be easily handled with a cleaning and application of an herbal infused topical. However, in some cases, allergies to certain foods or a diet that is not balanced can manifest as skin irritations. Sometimes these allergies are underlying or develop over time from repeated exposure. You may need to switch to a different dog food or remove an environmental allergen to alleviate the symptoms.

When my partner Rob and I got our puppy a couple years ago, I did a deep dive into learning about canine nutrition because I wanted to get the best dog food for him that was still affordable. All of the top brands that boasted the healthiest, “human-grade” ingredients were so dang expensive.

When we first got our boy Vash, I fed him a raw diet composed of meat, organs, dark leafy greens, seeds & pasture raised dairy. I’ll probably talk about this more in a future blog post. These days, I’m a bit more busy, so we feed a freeze dried version of his raw diet with a rotation of add-ins. As of the writing of this post, he is 2.5 years old and is in perfect health.

Dog Food Ingredients in Dog Food to Watch Out for:

It’s totally understandable to not want to deal with the hassle of feeding raw (it is seriously a pain in the butt). I think it’s totally fine to feed kibble, as long as you are mindful about the ingredients list and find an option that has as little of these ingredients as possible:

Corn: High in starch, contributes to yeast overgrowth. Also corn is often contaminated with mold due to the way it’s stored in silos.
Wheat: Another starchy grain that breaks down into sugars. Non-organic and USA-grown wheat both will have very high levels of ghyphosate, a chemical pesticide linked to cancer. Glyphosate is sprayed on nearly all USA-grown non-organic wheat to dry it out and prevent mold growth during harvest season.
Soy: Potential allergen, can cause skin irritations.
Potatoes: High-starch food that breaks down very quickly into glucose which fuels yeast.
Sweet Potatoes: Though healthier, still a starchy vegetable.
White Rice: Simple carbohydrate that turns into sugar. Brown rice is usually fine since it has more fiber, slowing down the rate of absorption and preventing as much of a glucose spike.
Beef/Chicken/Lamb/Fish/Dairy: Some dogs have an allergy to a specific protein sources. It’s a good idea to rotate proteins seasonally to help prevent them developing an allergen.
Chicken Meals: Highly processed, potential allergen. (Unprocessed plain “chicken” is totally fine)
Processed Meats: Often contain additives and preservatives that can trigger allergies.
Artificial Colors: Can cause skin irritations and allergies. Many are also linked to cancer, behavioral problems & issues with the GI tract.
Artificial Flavors: Potential for allergic reactions since manufacturers are not required to list what chemicals are being used.
Artificial Preservatives (e.g., BHA, BHT): Chemicals that can trigger allergies. Looks for ones with Rosemary Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E), Citric Acid or Ascorbic acid instead since those are much safer.
Sugar and Sugar Substitutes: Direct food source for yeast.
Legumes (e.g., lentils, chickpeas): Linked to endocrine dysfunction and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs.
Peanuts/Peanut Butter: Some dogs are allergic, high in fat, also peanuts are in the legume family.

The Omega-3 Boost

Once you’ve dialed in your dog’s food, you can always add supplements to their diet to help boost their health in other ways, or make their food more interesting to them.

Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish oil supplements, hemp hearts, chia seeds and other fatty foods can improve your dog’s skin health and also slow down the absorption of carbohydrates in your dog’s food, helping reduce the risk of other health issues. Consult your veterinarian for the appropriate dosage for your specific breed and size of dog.

Natural, Dog-Safe Food Additions High in Omega-3:

My dog often will get bored if his food is too repetitive, so we keep some of these toppers in rotation to keep it interesting. It’s important to not add too much of any of these all at once. Slowly introduce a small amount at a time and wait to see how your dog’s digestion does with these new foods before adding anything new.

Flaxseed Oil: Plant-based source, also rich in fiber and protein.

Chia Seeds: Another plant-based option; you can sprinkle these on top of your dog's food.
Hemp Seeds AKA “Hemp Hearts”: Known for a balanced ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids. My dog loves when I add a sprinkle of these over top of his food!
Walnuts: Can be ground and added to food; use sparingly due to high fat content.
Sardines: A whole food option that also provides protein and other essential nutrients. Trader Joe’s has canned, no salt added sardines in water, but you can also pick these up from the frozen section at many Asian grocery stores.
Krill Oil: Similar to fish oil but sourced from Antarctic krill, considered more sustainable.
Egg Yolks: Fresh, raw yolks are a whole-food source; ensure they come from a safe and reputable source.
Grass-fed Meat: Tends to be higher in Omega-3 compared to conventional, grain-fed meat.
Algal Oil: A marine-based, plant source of Omega-3 derived from algae.
Pumpkin Seeds: These not only provide Omega-3 but also come with other essential nutrients.

Hopefully this article helps give a better understanding of how to help your dog feel more comfortable and also some of the reasons why these kinds of health conditions develop. Remember to always introduce new foods slowly and consult with your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet, just to be safe. Thank you for reading!!

Sources:

de Baïracli Levy, J. (1991). The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat (Subsequent, Reprint ed.). Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN-13: 978-0571161157

Cerundolo R, Michel KE, Court MH, Shrestha B, Refsal KR, Oliver JW, Biourge V, Shofer FS. Effects of dietary soy isoflavones on health, steroidogenesis, and thyroid gland function in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2009 Mar;70(3):353-60. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.70.3.353. PMID: 19254147; PMCID: PMC2698128.

Kaufmann, D. A. (Author), & Thornhill Hunt, B. (Editor). (2000). The Fungus Link: An Introduction to Fungal Disease, Including the Initial Phase Diet (First ed.). MediaTrition. ISBN-13: 978-0970341808

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022, December 23). FDA Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy

American Animal Hospital Association. (2021, August). New clues to diet-associated DCM in dogs. https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2021-08/new-clues-to-diet-associated-dcm-in-dogs/

Llera, R., BSc, DVM, & Yuill, C., DVM, MSc, CVH. (n.d.). Nutrition - General Feeding Guidelines for Dogs. VCA Hospitals. Retrieved [8/20/23], from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nutrition-general-feeding-guidelines-for-dogs

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. (n.d.). Re-evaluating your dog's diet: Common ways we mess up our pups' nutrition. Riney Canine Health Center. Retrieved [8/20/23], from https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/re-evaluating-your-dog-s-diet

Natural Remedies for Itchy Dog Paws