Itching is far and away the most frequent reason for calls and trips to the veterinarian. It is a source of frustration for pet and owner alike.

Homeopathy can work but can be frustratingly slow compared to the allopathic solution of drugging the dog with steroids to get immediate relief but long term harm.

Care for Itching

Have a veterinarian ensure that it isn't a serious problem if the itching persists. This is especially important in puppies, which are susceptible to other more serious disorders.

Homeopathic Remedies to Relieve Itching

Do not give any of these remedies if your pet is already on other medication or homeopathic remedy without consulting your veterinarian.

Use remedies for short term periods only or intermittently. Constant repeitition of homeopathic medicines can actually worsen a condition. If the condition does not improve after a few days, seek help.

Apis Mellifica

Apis is the venom of the honeybee, and so it is used for intense burning and itching that is usually accompanied by hot red swollen sores, same as bee stings. The itching tends to be worse at night, heat worsens it while cool air and bathing helps.

Arsenicum Album

Burning is a part of the Arsenicum picture. Animals show dry scaly itching skin, and quickly develop infected sores if the condition persists. They may also itch intensely without eruptions. Restlessness is a common symptom, especially after midnight. These pets are usually chilly and warmth seems to relieve the itching.

Formica Rufa

This remedy is made from red ants, and so the animals itching should be of a similar level of intensity. Redness with itching and burning is common. Ants have formic acid in their saliva, which stings the animals skin. Gout and arthritis are also part of the picture of this homeopathic remedy, so ideally your pet should show as many symptoms listed as possible.

Itching improves with warmth, but also is better after midnight.

Ledum Palustre

Ledum Palustre is best used for puncture wounds, the kind that dogs and cats get in fights, particularly cats. It is also reported to be helpful with itching due to flea bites. The itching is worse with warmth, especially after warming up in bed. Cold air and cold bathing often relieves the itching.

This plant produces a rash similar to that from poison ivy, thus it may be used to alleviate a similar rash on the body. Ledum also has use in rheumatic affections like arthritis, and honeybee venom is used conventionally in some cases of arthritis, so there may be some connection between skin and joint problems.

Mezereum

Constantly itchy animals with no other symptoms respond well to this treatment. The animals itch furiously but the skin appears normal, itching but without eruptions. Itching is worse at night in bed and touch often incites severe itching. Warm bathing worsens the itching as well. Vaccination may inititate the mezereum state.

Rhus Toxicodendron

This is poison ivy. In mild cases, the rash is bumpy and very itchy. In more serious cases, blisters form and the itching is so intense it does not stop. Heat and warm bathing intensifies the itching initially but may relieve it after some time. Motion can help relieve the itch so these poor animals may move constantly.

Rhus Toxicodendron symptoms include arthritis, so it also is an arthritis and skin itching remedy.

Silicea (Silica)

This remedy is a great one for skin ailments, particularly if the allergies first started after a vaccination. The skin eruptions often get infected and pets often suffer from recurrent abscesses. Itching may not be intense but it is persistent. These pets are usually chilly and listless.

This is a deep acting remedy, so it is not to be used too long or too often without assistance from an experienced prescriber. It is commonly needed in animals because of the numerous vaccinations.

Urtica Urens

This is another plant remedy - this time the stinging nettle. Nettles have formic acid on them, so the itching will be similar to formica rufa, burning and stinging. Itching is violent in this case, though rubbing and scratching relieves the itch. Exercise worsens the Urtica itch while rest helps. There may be red blotches that are quite itchy.

Urtica Urens is also a good remedy for bladder inflammation with constant straining to urinate and here again a remedy for gout and arthritis alternating with skin rashes.