Can You Put Calamine Lotion on Dogs?

Symptoms include: 

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea (signs of damage to the intestines)
• Weakness (often caused by anemia as a result of the illness)
• Pale or yellow mucus 
• Rapid breathing
• Dark urine

Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if you think your dog might be suffering from zinc toxicity.² 

Dogs lick their sores as a way to self-soothe, which increases the risk of them ingesting whatever substance might be on their skin. 

Additionally, if you apply calamine lotion to your own skin, make sure your pup doesn’t lick it off you when giving you kisses. However, even if they don’t ingest it, calamine lotion can still cause skin irritation for your dog, so it’s better to stick with animal-friendly remedies.¹  

How to Treat Your Dog’s Itchy Skin

Dogs scratch themselves for a number of reasons and more often than not, it’s not any cause for concern. The occasional itch behind the ear is normal and even  slightly more itching after playing in the garden is usually fine. However, excessive itching or licking at skin can indicate something more serious. Luckily, your dog’s itchy skin can often be solved with topical ointments, creams, or oral medication.³ 

The first step is to figure out what is causing your pup’s itching. In order to provide your vet with the most detailed information, try and observe where your dog is scratching themselves. How hard are they scratching? Are they showing other signs of discomfort, like whimpering, fatigue, or irritability? Is their skin matted, oozing, or bleeding?³ 

The more information you are able to gather, the easier it will be to narrow down the underlying cause. This can help your vet make a quicker, more accurate diagnosis. For example: Fleas or a bug bite will likely require a different remedy than itchiness caused by allergies. Issues such as bacterial infections may also cause itchy skin, but require antibiotics to treat effectively.³

Itching Medicine for Dogs 

While calamine lotion isn’t a good choice for your canine pal, there are several animal-friendly ones available. Some of the most common canine anti-itch medications are Apoquel, Cytopoint, cefpodoxime, and cephalexin. The latter two medications are actually antibiotics that treat a large variety of underlying infections.⁴ Keep reading to find out more about each of these options.  

Apoquel

Apoquel is a fast-acting itch relief medication. It’s often highly effective, although this can vary depending on the root cause of your dog’s itchiness. In most cases, it will at least provide your dog with some form of relief. 

Like most animal medications, Apoquel is prescribed as an oral tablet, which is often easier for dogs to handle and eliminates the risk of them licking ointment off the affected area. This medication starts working within 4 hours and wears off after approximately 24 hours.⁶ Your vet may prescribe Appoquel if your dog is experiencing⁶: 

• Frequent scratching, licking, biting, or chewing
• Excessive rolling, rubbing, or scooting
• Head shaking, ear discharge, or scratching at ears
• Hair loss
• Rash, redness, greasy skin, or scabs 

Cytopoint

Cytopoint is an injectable allergy medication that must be administered by your veterinarian. Cytopoint begins working within 24 hours to relieve itching and provides relief for 4-8 weeks.

Cefpodoxime 

Cefpodoxime is a prescription antibiotic for dogs that can help relieve itching from bacterial skin infections or wounds. Some vets also prescribe it to treat respiratory or bladder infections. This uncoated tablet is easy for dogs to swallow and blends in well with your dog’s food or treats.⁷ 

Cephalexin

If your dog’s itchy skin is due to more general bacterial infections, then a vet might choose to prescribe Cephalexin. This broad-spectrum antibiotic targets issues like⁸: 

• Bacterial skin infections (such as superficial pyoderma)
• Urinary tract infections
• Ear infections
• Respiratory infections

These types of infections can cause itchy skin, but still need to be properly treated with antibiotics. Cephalexin comes in liquid form and should be mixed with water before administering to your dog. Mild side effects can occur, but are rare.⁸ 

FAQs 

What human lotion can I use on my dog?

A good rule of thumb is to avoid using human lotions on your dog. While some products might be ok for dogs, it’s always better to use 100% animal-friendly lotions. When in doubt, ask your vet. 

What happens if my dog gets into calamine lotion? 

Calamine lotion contains zinc oxide, which is very harmful to dogs. Seek veterinary care if your dog has ingested calamine lotion, especially if they have sudden vomiting or diarrhea. You can also contact emergency vet or animal poison control at (888) 426-4435.⁹

How can I help my dog’s skin rash?

At Dutch, we understand that our furry friends also experience itchy skin from time to time. Certain bacterial infections can also cause itching or irritation of the skin. There are several anti-itch medications available for dogs. Read about the most common ones here or schedule an online consultation with a licensed veterinarian when you activate your Dutch membership.

Final Notes 

Calamine lotion is unsafe for dogs. Nevertheless, there are medications that can provide effective itch relief for your pup. Various ailments can cause itchy skin, including fleas, parasites, bacterial infections, or just general  dryness. 

Dutch provides you with reliable veterinary advice from the comfort of your home. Speak with one of our many qualified vets about which type of itch relief medication your dog needs. Find out more about our services at Dutch.com and get peace of mind for your pet today.