What Can I Do for My Dog to Stop Itching

It'south perfectly normal for your dog to have a skillful scratch every now and and so, just if you've noticed your dog is itching and scratching more than usual information technology's time to expect into the possible causes.

Some cases of excessive itching are very simple to care for, while others may require veterinary attention. We'll talk about some of the reasons your dog may be itching more usual and outline a few good treatment strategies below!

A bit of itching and scratching is normal, but you lot volition want to investigate whatsoever itching that seems excessive. There aren't whatsoever hard-and-fast ways to determine when your domestic dog's normal scratching becomes enough for concern, and then you'll only need to employ your best judgement — you know your dog better than anyone else.
Some of the about mutual reasons for excessive itching include parasites, allergies, and dry pare. Nonetheless, there are also other, less common causes of itching, such equally poor hygiene and yeast infections, which also deserve consideration.
The best fashion to accost excessive itchiness volition vary based on the cause. This is why it is imperative that you lot consult your veterinarian, if you lot're unable to decide the cause definitively. But then will you be able to employ a suitable treatment strategy.

12 Reasons Your Dog Won't End Itching (and What to Practice about It)

There are a ton of reasons your doggo may exist suffering from itchy skin, but at that place are near a dozen that should always be at the top of the listing of things you lot consider.

We'll explain these 12 causes and lay out a practiced program of attack for you below!

one. Fleas

These tiny critters have a lot to reply for when information technology comes to your dog's itchiness! Fleas reproduce speedily, and, while they can't wing, they can jump a distance of fifty to 100 times their body length, so it's important to eradicate these pests for all of your family unit members' sake (that's right — fleas can feed on humans too!).

If your dog already has fleas — or you suspect she does — the beginning thing to do is to get rid of 'em!

Start by bathing your dog in lukewarm water with a balmy (preferably hypoallergenic) flea shampoo to knock off equally many of the bugs as is possible.

Next, use a flea rummage while your dog is in the bath to remove the fleas and their feces. Pay close attention to her neck and dorsum legs near the tail. Fleas are normally the size of a poppy seed or sesame seed and are brown in color. If y'all see a flea on the rummage, dunk it in a split up container of hot soapy water to remove it before using the rummage on your dog again.

After this, make an appointment with your vet. He or she will examine your dog'southward skin and assess the next steps. Your vet will likely prescribe an effective flea treatment that'll get rid of any remaining blood-suckers and forbid the pests from returning.

2. Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is an allergic reaction to flea saliva, which tin can drive dogs admittedly crazy. And unfortunately, it can occur fifty-fifty if your dog doesn't currently have fleas.

Dogs of all ages are susceptible to the condition, merely information technology is most common in canines with existing allergies.

A few mutual symptoms of FAD include:

Excessive preparation
Restlessness
Unusual aroma
Changes in peel texture
Raised bumps

Your vet can diagnose FAD past performing a pare and or blood exam. Treatment will likely accept the grade of a monthly topical medication, but your vet may also recommend an oral medication similar apoquel or a preventative flea medication.

3. Lice

So there's good news and and then in that location's bad news. Proficient news is, no — your pooch can't get the kind of lice your kid brings domicile from schoolhouse — thank goodness!

But the bad news is that your pooch can pick up a different kind of lice from other dogs. These bugs are as well unremarkably treated with a monthly topical treatment or lice shampoo, only if your canis familiaris is experiencing hair loss along with itchiness, she may demand your vet's help to bargain with the lice trouble.

Fortunately, there is a little more than adept news to share: Lice are non especially common in dogs. But it's nonetheless i potential source of itchy skin that deserves consideration.

four. Mange

Mange is a status caused by mites that probably causes the virtually intense itchiness we discussed hither. Unfortunately, information technology is also contagious to humans.

But fortunately, mange is treatable with your vet's assist. He or she will outline the best course of management, which volition typically include a course of parasite-killing medications. If that doesn't work, he or she may recommend that your pup be given an Aludex bath (which volition ordinarily be carried out past the vet's staff).

Mange is characterized by loss of fur and scaly, scabby skin that is red and inflamed.

5. Food Allergies

Take yous switched up your domestic dog's diet lately? If you have made a dietary change about the same time your domestic dog started itching similar crazy, a food allergy could be the cause.

Nutrient allergies don't always occur later a dietary switch, every bit dogs may suddenly develop intolerances to a given protein. But they are most common post-obit food changes.

Food allergies are a bit dissimilar in dogs than they are people, and they often cause irritated skin patches around the ears, paws, rear finish or stomach. Occasionally, digestive problems like gas, diarrhea or vomiting can also occur, but they aren't as mutual as itchy skin and related problems. In particularly severe cases, you may even find swelling in your domestic dog's face.

Even so, information technology can be tricky to determine if nutrient allergies are the cause for your pet's itchiness. So, your best bet is to call your vet!

He or she may want to run a few allergy tests or plan an elimination diet with you lot. You may too be given medication or treatments to soothe symptoms during the short term.

One time you've adamant that food allergies are to blame, yous can begin looking for a hypoallergenic dog food that lacks the offending ingredient.

6. Environmental Allergies

Your pup's itchiness may too be caused by a reaction to something in her surroundings. Vets call such reactions environmental allergies.

The most common environmental allergies occur in response to things similar pollen, mold spores, creature dander, and grit mites. Some of these are seasonal and so may vary in severity. While hard to avoid, there are ways to manage them!

Here are a few tips:

Start by talking to your vet most the issue. Vets can perform tests to help determine your dog'south allergic triggers.
If you've discovered that pollen or perhaps the grass from your lawn is the crusade, continue windows shut and use your air conditioner in the summer months. When she comes in from outside, you can wipe down her body with a clammy towel and wash her paws.
Continue Cocoa out the room when you are dusting or vacuuming.
Change the furnace filter on a regular basis.
Speak to your vet about possible treatments, which may include supplements, creams, or antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra, or other treatments like cortisone.

7. Contact Irritation

Contact irritation is some other mutual cause of itchiness, and it often results from the irritation a garment causes your pup'south peel. So, if you've treated Cocoa to a smart new piece of gear, such every bit a harness or collar, information technology could exist that she is experiencing some contact irritation.

However, there are other causes of contact irritation too. Some of the virtually mutual include:

Plants (so make sure you're just using dog-friendly houseplants in your home)
Lawn and garden supplies (such equally wood fries, plant feed, pesticides, or fertilizers)
Household cleaners, washing detergents, or floor polishes (try a pet-safe floor cleaner and see if your dog's itching alters)
Creams or lotions designed for human use

Just be sure to consider all of the new things that have touched your pet'southward body if y'all suspect she's suffering from contact irritation. This illustrates yet another reason it is of import to monitor your dog frequently and make mental notes about anything new or out of the ordinary.

8. Dry skin

Elementary dry skin can cause your dog to endure from extreme itchiness. Unfortunately, unlike when humans suffer this kind of trouble, y'all tin't gear up your dog's dry out skin by simply slathering on a bunch of lotion.

A number of factors tin cause dry skin in doggos. For example, diets that are deficient in fatty acids may lead to dry out pare. You lot can speak to your vet nigh introducing more than fatty acids into your doggy'south nutrition via fish oil supplements to assist her peel condition, or you may fifty-fifty want to consider switching to a canned nutrition or dog nutrient specialized for dry skin.

You may also observe that using room humidifiers helps counteract the dry air in your habitation and ease your pooch's symptoms.

9. Poor Hygiene

Fresh bed linens and clean skin are some of life's elementary pleasures — and that goes for dogs and humans alike.

And while a lot of doggies hate bath fourth dimension (or if your canis familiaris is like mine, she volition utilize the brush coming out as an opportunity for playtime), a practiced grooming regimen is every bit important for your pet'due south well being equally information technology is for yours.

Among other things, poor hygiene can effect in extremely itchy peel. Worse, dogs with dirty skin may suffer from infections following their scratching behavior.

And then, be sure that you bathe your canis familiaris on an advisable schedule (every bit well as anytime she stinks or gets uncommonly muddy), and clean her bed, crate liners, and anything else she lays on frequently.

Every bit a bonus, this will not only aid prevent itchy skin, information technology'll besides continue your domestic dog smelling and feeling better, which is always a win.

ten. Yeast Infections

Yeasts — microscopic fungi — can cause skin problems for dogs. Sometimes, yeast infections are the consequence of a pathogenic (harmful) strain colonizing your canine, simply at other times, harmless yeasts tin can cause problems as well.

This generally happens when the microbiome (collection of bacteria and other organisms) living on your pet's skin gets disrupted, thereby allowing the yeast population to explode.

If you lot and your furry friend live in hot and humid weather, she is more than likely to develop yeast infections or leaner overgrowth. Regular washing of her paws (where these infections most normally occur) may help, merely your vet tin can prescribe medications that will help wipe out the yeast or bacteria causing the trouble.

Probiotics, which help ensure your pup has the proper beneficial bacteria living in and on your pet, may also prove helpful in some cases.

xi. Ear infections

Itching and scratching don't ever occur over large patches of your canis familiaris's skin; sometimes, they occur in isolated places, such as the ears.

If you find your pup shaking her head or rubbing and scratching her ears more than usual, she could have an ear infection. Ear infections are pretty common for dogs equally they can't make clean their ears out themselves.

Cleaning your dog's ears takes a matter of minutes and unremarkably but needs to be done on a monthly basis (although this varies depending on her breed). Y'all'll just demand a high-quality, dog-safe ear cleaner, a clean rag or towel, and some water.

If you're already on meridian of the ear cleaning schedule, nonetheless you still find her shaking her head and scratching, information technology's a adept idea to visit your vet to see if there's a yeast or bacteria overgrowth that needs handling.

12. Anal Gland Issues

Is your dog'southward itching bars to a single location — specifically, her caboose? Do yous meet her butt-scooting across the floor seeking relief? If then, she may be experiencing issues with her anal glands — they may be blocked upwardly or but irritated.

Yous'll likely need your vet's aid to address these types of bug, unless you're already familiar with the anal-gland expressing process and don't mind getting your hands muddied (warning: Information technology is not something for the faint of heart — anal gland secretions produce one of the worst odors in the globe).

Yous may also need to add a bit more than cobweb to your dog'south diet to help prevent clogged anal glands in the time to come. And while nosotros're on the subject of fiber, it'southward important to note that canine constipation and parasites may too cause butt-scooting.

The Importance of Stopping Your Pet's Itchiness

Although it isn't a life-or-decease result for dogs, itchiness isn't something you should ignore. A couple of the almost important reasons yous should accost itchy peel promptly include:

Your pet's overall well-being and happiness. Recall nearly the last fourth dimension you had a musquito bite, or some dry out skin that was really itchy. Sometimes it's then troublesome it'southward all you lot tin call up near, and scratching only makes it worse! Being uncomfortable in your own skin can really get yous down, and the aforementioned will happen with your pet.
Itchy pare can exist a bigger deal than you call up. Itchy skin can indicate that your hound may be harboring an allergy, infection, or other underlying health issue. Ruling out a more serious event with a vet is the best route forward.

Just be sure to note anytime your pet is scratching more than usual, and outset trying to get to the bottom of the outcome promptly.

Need Veterinary Help Fast?

Don't take piece of cake access to a vet? You may want to consider getting help from JustAnswer — a service that provides instant virtual-chat admission to a certified vet online.

You can discuss the issue with them, and fifty-fifty share video or photos if need be. The online vet can aid you lot determine what your next steps should be.

While talking with your own vet — who understands the ins and outs of your dog'due south history — is probably ideal, JustAnswer is a good fill-in option.

3 Steps to Solve Your Dog'south Itching Problem

It'south important to remember that there are treatments available and preventative steps you lot tin can take for every single reason we've listed above — your iv-footer will likely be A-OK (though you may need your vet'south aid)!

At that place are three simple steps to take to resolve the problem:

Examine. Nosotros're not expecting lab coats and rubber gloves, only you'll need to exist thorough! Is it a single spot that is itchy (such every bit their ears or paws) or all over discomfort? Where is the itchiness focused?
Investigate. When did the scratching start? Has information technology been a gradual increase or sudden? Can you determine whatsoever changes that happened in your dog's day-to-day life or surround? And are there any other changes in behavior or symptoms that are unusual? Fifty-fifty if you don't think it'due south related, make a note of it anyway.
Treat. Attempting to soothe symptoms yourself is fine for a few days, but please be cautious. At that place are many at-home remedies recommended online that are simply not effective — some are even potentially harmful. If your pup's itching doesn't beginning to go away within a few days, get your vet's help.

Itchy Dog FAQs

Itchy peel is a mutual problem amid pooches, and it oft sparks a number of the same questions amid owners. We'll endeavour to answer a few of the most common canine skin questions below.

What can you lot give a domestic dog for severe itching?

For immediate relief, effort a gentle bath in tepid water (non too hot!) with a hypoallergenic shampoo. Long term, it is a good idea to increment the fatty acids (especially omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil or salmon oil) in your dogs' nutrition – although some dogs may non tolerate a loftier amount of oil in their diet, so speak to your vet.

Are fleas and other bugs contagious betwixt dogs?

Fleas are especially contagious — they tin can jump long distances and will happily hop along to a new host to infect (though this isn't the most mutual style they're spread — it's commonly hatching eggs that are the trouble). Mites' contagion level is similar to fleas, while ticks are less likely to pass onto a different host.

Can treats cause food allergies?

Certain, but information technology depends on the ingredients of said treat! When you lot go to the vet to discuss your pooch's possible food allergy, bring along the treat packets with you lot for your vet to examine.

Do dogs react to poison ivy?

Short reply: Dogs tin can go poison ivy, but information technology's not probable. Equally always, we'd advise using circumspection and avoiding the constitute altogether. Also, note that while dogs rarely develop a rash from toxicant ivy, they may spread the oils to y'all if they coil around in the plants.

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I'd be lying if all this talk of fleas and dry out peel hasn't left me feeling a little scratchy! Do you lot guys and gals get this? I guess now we know how the dogs are feeling!

We hope this commodity has answered a few questions and that you can soothe your pup with some of our tips.

Be certain to let usa know about your experiences with itchy canine peel in the comments and share any questions you may have too!

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Source: https://www.k9ofmine.com/dog-wont-stop-itching/