Why do my dogs itch after pool swimming? How to soothe skin?

Question

Have 2 Chocolate Labs, recently moved here from Michigan, they love to swim in are pool except it's been none stop itching! I get them groomed and clean there eats anything else you could recommend would be greatly appreciated. Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | spayed | 2 years and 9 months old | 85 lbs

Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA · Accepted Answer

They may be having a reaction to chemicals in the pool, or the pool water could be drying out their skin. You can try rinsing them off with clean water after they get out of the pool and bathing with gentle dog shampoo 2-3 times per week. I like Dechra DermaLyte Shampoo (it smells great, too!). If the skin appears dry, you can start giving fish oil to improve the quality of the skin. You can just squirt a human fish oil capsule over their food twice a day (but it can give some dogs fishy breath and greasy stools). Other causes for itching could be fleas, ticks, allergies (food, fleas, environment), mites, or bacterial skin infection. I recommend that they both be on a good flea and tick preventative. Since they spends so much time in the water, I would recommend a prescription oral preventative from your vet. Don't forget to clean their ears! Labs are prone to ear infections, and being in the water can make this much worse! When they get out of the pool, I recommend cleaning their ears with Dechra EpiKlean Ear Cleanser to dry out the ears and prevent infections.

Why do my dogs itch after pool swimming? How to soothe skin?

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