Ever wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of your dog scratching? It might be a thump, thump, thump or a jingling from his dog tags. Or he may walk into the bedroom and shake himself silly, as if he’s drenched with rain.

Our little terrier has been doing all of that and more lately. I’ve checked him for fleas, ticks, and other menaces. Nothing there. Then I noticed white flakes on his fur. Hmmm, I didn’t know canines could develop dandruff. Turns out, it’s a sign of dry skin in dogs—which can often get worse in the winter months.

Dry Skin in Dogs: Natural Treatment and Prevention

Cold, snow and ice outdoors means our dogs are confined to the heated house most of the time. The air is dry, and without fresh air blowing through the windows, the house can accumulate dust and other allergens quickly. These environmental conditions lead to dry, flaky, itchy skin in dogs, but there are a number of things you can do to make your pet more comfortable:

Get out the brush. Most dogs love a good brushing, especially with a natural bristle hairbrush. To the dog, it feels like a wonderful massage, so it’s a great way to bond with your pet. Regular brushing brings the natural oils out of the skin and removes the dandruff flakes that form when dead skin cells are sloughed off.

Use a gentle dog shampoo. Dry skin in dogs can be made worse by using a shampoo that’s too harsh. Look for an all-natural dog shampoo containing soothing ingredients for irritated skin, such as oatmeal, aloe vera, chamomile, and neem oil.

Don’t bathe too frequently. In the winter, when Fido isn’t playing outside and getting as dirty, warm water baths may be enough. Remember that part of relieving dry skin in dogs is making sure you aren’t stripping the dog’s skin of its natural oils.

Provide skin and coat support. Look for supplements containing natural ingredients to support improved skin tone and a healthy coat in dogs. These formulas come in chicken-flavored chewable tablets or tasty oils that your dog would love to have drizzled on his food. They contain essential fatty acids that can resolve disorders such as dry skin in dogs.

- Paula Detwiller, All Vitamins Plus Contributor