Homemade Oatmeal and Baking Soda Bath for Dogs

Baking soda and oatmeal are home-remedy superstars. They work well together to relieve itching skin while cleansing and conditioning your canine buddy's coat. The alkalinity of baking soda helps soothe her skin. Baking soda also is an effective deodorizer and will help to gently clean your pooch. Colloidal oatmeal, which is oatmeal ground to a fine powder, neutralizes redness and itchiness while moisturizing and helping to balance the pH of your pup's skin. Use your blender or food processor to turn the oatmeal in your pantry into colloidal oatmeal.

Your pup is prone to dry, itchy skin, especially in dry climates and during dry seasons. She also can be allergic to many of the same things you are, such as pollen, dust, molds and various foods. Then there are the parasites such as fleas and ticks that can set your pal to scratching. Oatmeal and baking soda shampoo may not rid your precious pooch of these hazards, but it will soothe her skin and calm the itch.

No matter what is causing your dog to scratch, a simple mixture of oatmeal and baking soda in some warm water is an effective alternative to shampoo. Just run some warm water in the tub, then add 1 cup of colloidal oatmeal and 1 cup of baking soda. Stir it around a bit to mix everything together, and stand your pooch in the treated water. Have her stay in the tub at least 15 minutes. Scoop up the water-soda-oatmeal mix and massage it through your dog's fur. Rinse her coat thoroughly with warm water before removing her from the tub.

If you like the idea of a homemade cleanser but would like something that will lather your pup more like a traditional shampoo, mix together 1/2 cup of dye-free, unscented dish soap, one tablespoon of colloidal oatmeal, one tablespoon of baking soda, one tablespoon of glycerin, and one tablespoon of lavender, lemon or orange oil. Mix the ingredients well, and use the mixture as you would a normal shampoo.