Does your dog s scratching indicate something about their health

Why Is My Dog So Itchy? Possible Causes & Treatment

Are you thinking about your dogs frequent scratching, licking, and rolling around on the rug? You may be feeling itchy yourself, just from watching all this activity!

There are many reasons your dog may be itchy. Many veterinarians believe its best to find the cause of the itch sooner rather than later. While occasional scratching can be normal for dogs, frequent scratching could indicate a medical condition that may get worse over time.

According to a 2023 Nationwide Survey on pet insurance data, for the eleventh year in a row allergic dermatitis (skin allergies) was the top reason dogs were brought into the vet. This condition can make your dog itchy and cause them to show signs like frequent scratching, recurrent ear infections, and skin changes. Continue on to learn more about allergic dermatitis and why August is such a special month.

Possible Cause of Your Dogs Itchy Skin

So, whats behind your dogs itchy skin? It may be caused by a medical condition called skin allergies. This means your dogs body overreacts to an allergen in the environment or to food, which makes them feel itchy. There are several potential culprits:

• Flea allergy: Flea bites can create extremely itchy areas on your dog. They can be found anywhere on the body, but are most common at the hind legs, tail base, and rear end. Just because you dont see any fleas on your dog does not mean they arent there keep in mind that a bite from a single flea can make your dog very itchy.
• Food allergy: Your dogs itching might be caused by a food allergy. Some dogs are allergic to common dog food ingredients such as beef, chicken, and dairy products.1 Food allergies in dogs can lead to changes to the skin around their paws, face, armpits, and belly.
• Environmental allergy: Your dog may be allergic to environmental triggers like pollen, mold spores, or dust mites. Environmental allergens can cause allergic itch during certain seasons, or even year-round. Dogs with environmental allergies will often have changes to the skin around their face, belly, and paws.
• Contact allergy: Your dog may be allergic to substances it encounters daily. These can include things like household cleaners, shampoos, insecticides, and plants. Dogs with contact allergies will often be itchy in the area that touched the contact allergen.

Skin allergies can make your dog uncomfortable. They can also lead to secondary health problems if there is a delay in treatment. When a dog licks or scratches an area excessively, it can damage the skin and lead to skin infections and wounds. These can cause changes like hair loss, body odor, and inflammation. Severe skin infections and wounds may even be painful for your dog.

How to Relieve Your Dogs Itchy Skin

When your dog experiences these skin changes because of skin allergies, it can be tempting to try an over-the-counter treatment or home remedy. However, using an OTC or at-home solution may not relieve your dogs itch. The following treatment options are commonly available and may offer some itch relief but may not be the best option for your dog.

• Over-the-counter shampoos and oils. Treatments like coconut oil and itch-relief shampoos only provide temporary relief. Your dogs itch may come back because the root cause has not been addressed.
• Antihistamines. While studies have shown that antihistamines may relieve allergies in humans well, antihistamines are less helpful in relieving itch in dogs with environmental allergies. In fact, it has been shown that antihistamines likely offer little to no benefit in treating environmental allergies in many dogs.
• Prescription steroids. Steroids prescribed by a vet can be effective in reducing itchiness in your dog, but they may cause side effects5 in your furry friend. Dogs on prescription steroids often experience increased urination, thirst, and weight gain. They can also experience behavior shifts such as increased aggression.

August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month. If your dog is scratching frequently in August or any time of year, schedule an appointment with your vet to discuss the most effective ways to relieve your dogs itch. If your dog has skin allergies, then a prescription treatment from your vet may be needed to get your favorite sidekick feeling better. So, call your vet today!

American poet Ogden Nash said, Happiness is having a scratch for every itch. For your dog, happiness is relieving the source of every itch.

5 Common Reasons Your Dog is Scratching Himself

Flea saliva is very allergenic, so a single flea can cause flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) that makes your dog itchy at the bite site (often around the head, anus, neck, tail base, or groin area). In addition to the itching/scratching, dogs with a flea infestation will deposit flea dirt (or digested blood in the form of their feces) on the skin. This flea dirt will appear like black pepper flakes.

Prevention: Minimize your dogs exposure by limiting his access to locations where a heavy burden of fleas may exist wooded areas, dog parks, daycare, kennels, etc. It is also important to utilize flea preventatives. As each pets needs differ, consult your veterinarian to determine which type of preventative is most appropriate (including topical, collar, or oral medication).

Dog Scratch Reflex: Why Dogs Kick Their Legs During Belly Rubs

So, why do dogs kick when you scratch them? At the turn of the 20th century, English neurophysiologist Sir Charles Sherrington became intrigued by thisdog behaviorand devoted considerable resources to its study.

According to his findings published inThe Integrative Action of the Nervous System, the dog scratch reflex manifests in four stages:

1. The Latency Period: This is the slight delay between the time you start scratching your dog's sweet spot and the time the leg starts the "dog belly rub leg kick." The delay is caused by the time it takes for the nerve to send scratching signals up the spinal cord to the brain, and then for the signal to travel back down to the leg and activate the kicking motion.
2. The Warm-Up: This is the time it takes for the leg to really get going. The kicking motion usually starts slowly and then builds in intensity as you continue scratching or rubbing the sweet spot.
3. The After Discharge: This refers to how sometimes the kicking motion will continue after you stop scratching or move your hand away. Just as the signal to start kicking takes time to reach the leg, so does the signal that it's OK to stop.
4. Fatigue: Scratching for too long in the same spot can cause the reflex to tire out, which is why sometimes your dog's kicking slows and stops even though you keep tickling the same spot. It needs time to rest before it can become active again.

The dog scratch reflex might be amusing, but it serves a purpose in protecting your dog from pests and provides key insights into their neurological health. Whether your dog is aware of any of this, or whether they just like the sensation of getting their sweet spot scratched, one thing is almost certain belly rubs are pretty awesome.

Why Is Your Dog Scratching?

Dogs frequently engage in relentless biting, scratching, and licking as a result of a medical condition called pruritus[1]. This issue is quite common, affecting the majority of dogs at some time during their lifespan. For pet owners, its essential to comprehend the reasons behind these actions.

Dogs tend to scratch for several reasons. Some of the main reasons for excessive scratching in dogs include seasonal allergies, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, external parasite infestations, yeast, and bacterial infections, among other causes.

Want to know more about itchiness and what you can do to relieve your four-legged canine companion? Read on as we break down 6 reasons for scratching in dogs while also answering some frequently asked questions.

6 Reasons For Scratching In Dogs

1. Food Allergies

Some dogs have sensitive stomachs that are highly susceptible to allergic reactions. Youll find that the majority of breeds are allergic to grains such as corn and wheat, while others might have an allergic reaction after consuming chicken, dairy, or beef.

Dog owners are often advised to check the primary ingredients when purchasing dog food to avoid triggering food allergies. As a result, it is advisable to change your pups diet gradually to allow enough time to notice potential allergens.

2. Seasonal Allergies

Skin allergies in dogs are often caused by environmental allergens such as mold, pollen, and dust. The good thing about seasonal allergies is that they occur at specific times of the year, meaning you can prepare adequately for these nature-induced allergies. Spring and summer seasons, when flowers and plants boom, tend to lead to increased cases of seasonal allergies in pooches.

Therefore, if you notice your dog excessively scratching himself at specific times during the year, he might be dealing with a seasonal allergy. Try brushing and bathing him regularly. You might also want to minimize his exposure to an environment with allergens such as weeds, dust, molds, grasses, and flowers.

3. Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a skin disease caused by an allergic reaction, either when a dog inhales or consumes allergens. The condition causes your canine companion to scratch bite, lick, and rub in specific areas, including the tail. Commonly affected body parts are usually the feet, face, armpits, front legs, and ears, and uncontrolled dermatitis can lead to hair loss.

Your dogs overall hygiene plays a crucial role in determining your dogs health. You shouldnt expose your dog to environments infested with insects and parasites.

Its crucial to be on the lookout for microscopic insects like Sarcoptes and Demodex, as these parasites will burrow through your dogs itchy skin, consequently leading to bacterial infections. Mange can lead to skin lesions in the groin, ear margins, armpits, and areas with minimal hair.

4. External Parasite Infestations

Your dogs overall hygiene plays a crucial role in determining his or her health. You shouldnt expose your canine companion to environments infested with insects and parasites that can lead to tick bites and mange.

Did you know that a single flea can lead to Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) and leave your pup itchy? Youll also need to check out for ticks since these parasites hunt for blood and wont stop until they lead to skin itching in dogs.

5. Yeast Infections

Among the common causes of dog scratching are fungi and bacteria found on the dogs skin. The infections tend to occur when the immune system is suppressed through skin infections and skin diseases caused by insect bites. These conditions will lead to persistent skin itching and require immediate medication.

Increased oil production levels on the dogs skin can also lead to yeast infection. Moreover, dogs receiving treatment through immunosuppressive drugs like steroids might be victims of chronic infections. Breeds that are likely to develop infections include Basset Hound, Cocker Spaniel, Australian Terrier, Chihuahua, Poodle, Shetland sheepdog, Dashung, and Maltese Terrier.

To diagnose this condition, youll need to take your pet to a veterinarian for an examination. The vet might conduct a skin biopsy, skin scraping, or impression smear procedure to determine the cause of the infection.

6. Bacterial Infections

Dogs are highly prone to bacterial infections, especially when they interact with infected animals outdoors. There is a big likelihood that your dog will fall ill when he plays in an area with high infestation levels.

A bacterial infection will lead to excessive biting of the fur and skin, which consequently means the coat will be damaged. According to research conducted, the main factors leading to bacterial infection are pests such as mites, fleas, and ticks as well as interaction with already infected animals.

Consult a veterinarian when symptoms of bacterial infections, such as scratching and biting, persist. Your dog could use several medications to help reduce the itch.

Tips For Relieving Dogs Itch

In case youre wondering how to stop a dog from scratching, youll be glad to learn that there are several steps you can take to prevent itchy skin. Below are some of the ways you can address the dogs itching problem.

Check On Your Dogs Diet

When your dog is itchy after changing your diet, you have to visit the vet for some allergy testing to determine the cause of the itchy skin. Dog foods containing additives, chemical preservatives, and wheat are some of the common causes of itching and can lead to a lot of discomfort for your pet. And since different breeds have varying needs in terms of diet, choosing the right dog food is integral to your pups well-being.

Use Apple Cider Vinegar

This home remedy can help in itch management at home. Combine 50% water and 50% vinegar and shake the mixture in a bottle. Proceed to spray it in the affected area. The sprays will do your dog much good as they help to reduce the itchiness and other underlying issues in the affected region.

Use Hypoallergenic Oils And Shampoos

A green tea or chamomile soak can help soothe your stressed dog. Filling a bathtub with warm water and dropping 3-5 tea bags will be enough to spot-treat your pets skin. Aloe Vera and coconut oil can also come in handy in preventing itchiness. You can also bathe your dog with hypoallergenic or oatmeal shampoo if you want to provide instant soothing and relieve his pain.

Treat Infections Immediately

As a dog owner, your role is to act fast when you notice your dog is excessively scratching a particular area, such as the head (behind the ears). Infections can make scratching worse, which is why youll need to prevent pest- or bacteria-related infections. Always ensure you get the right dietary for yeast problems or bacterial infections to prevent them from spreading.

Avoid Allergens

Naturally, dogs tend to develop seasonal allergies during the warmer spring and summer months. As a result, it is advisable to manage your dogs movements during such seasons. You can also avoid diet-related allergies by switching to fish-based foods that contain sweet potatoes. Dogs need nutrients like fish oil and essential fatty acids, which promote skin health, improve digestion, and reduce inflammation. For instance, once you provide them with salmon-based dog food, youll realize a significant reduction in cases of food allergy.

When Should You Bring Your Dog To The Vet For Excessive Scratching?

Luckily, most of the common causes of dog itching are food allergies and seasonal allergies. With the right supplements and nutrition, you can reduce the impact of allergens such as trees, pollens, mold, and grass.

You should get concerned when signs of discomfort become extreme. That is, when your pet suffers from anxiety, stress, decreased appetite, develops black spots due to injury, and has a hard time going to bed.

In addition to behavior, feeding, and sleeping problems, ensure you consult vets when your dog scratches himself excessively as a way of soothing himself. Remember, these scratches can damage the skin and lead to serious skin conditions, so its best to take your pet to a vet for several tests.

Depending on the examination and diagnosis, your veterinarian will make relevant suggestions on how to cure pruritus. Ensure that you inquire about the side effects associated with the treatment plan provided for skin diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you give a dog Benadryl to stop itching?

Yes, you can give a dog Benadryl to stop itching due to the drugs antihistamine properties. Although not yet FDA-approved for use on pets, it is considered to be safe for dogs, which explains its popularity when treating swelling and itching. The drug neutralizes the effect of allergy triggers and environmental, seasonal, and food allergies. These antihistamines also help to treat itchiness caused by bug bites.

How much Benadryl should I give my dog for itching?

The amount of Benadryl you give to a dog for itching is usually one mg per pound of his or her body weight. As is with most antihistamines, you should administer the treatment two to three times a given day. To be on the safe side, be sure to inquire with your veterinarian before administering the treatment on your own.

How can you tell if a dog is itching too much?

You can tell that your dog is itching too much if he scratches, licks, and bites his skin repeatedly to the extent of discomfort. Its not only dogs with itchy skin thatll excessively scratch themselves, but yeast infections in addition to cases of interaction with flea-infested dogs can also lead to increased scratching, licking, and even biting of affected areas. When your dog cant help but itch himself all the time, then something must be wrong.

Conclusion

Although itching is a natural response in dogs, you should be concerned when your dog excessively scratches and bites himself. Dogs that itch too much tend to suffer from underlying conditions such as skin infections, and you should visit the vet for a treatment plan to address the situation.Now that we have answered the all-important question Why do dogs scratch? The ball is in your court to take adequate measures to soothe your pet and prevent the condition from worsening.