Should I wash my dog if he is itchy

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.

Why Is My Dog Itching So Much?

Itchy skin on a dog, also called pruritus, is a symptom of many different conditions. If your dog is itchy, they may scratch, bite, or lick an area repeatedly, or it may seem like their whole body is itchy.

Not only is this nonstop itching uncomfortable for your dog, but it can cause infections if your dog keeps scratching and licking. Heres what you need to know.

What to Check for if Your Dog Is Itching Constantly

If your dog has hives, a swollen face, lips, or eye, or is panting excessively, see your vet immediately. These could be signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Other than scratching, you may see these signs of itchy skin in dogs:

• Licking

• Biting

• Rubbing

• Hair loss

• Oozing, inflamed skin

• Stench

If your dogs skin is oozing or inflamed, or if you smell a strong stench, you also need to see the vet, because these are signs of infection.

Causes of Dog Itching

There are several possible reasons why your dog is excessively itching. Common reasons may include:

• Bacterial or fungal infections: Bacterial or fungal infections are a common cause of pruritus, with other symptoms including oozing, inflamed skin, a strong stench, and hair loss.

• Atopic dermatitis: Also called allergic dermatitis, this is often caused by an allergen from the environment, such as from pollen, dander, and plants, so it can be seasonal.

• Flea allergy dermatitis: This is a type of allergic dermatitis that occurs when fleas inject saliva into a dogs body. The proteins within the saliva trigger the immune system, causing itching that typically lasts several days. Even one flea bite can cause a reaction.

• Food allergies: Food allergies are often seen in dogs with year-round itching, and allergic reactions can be tested through a diet trial.

Diagnosing Itchy Skin in Dogs

Your vet will likely recommend a range of testing options, including skin scrapings and blood tests, to determine the underlying cause for itching in your dog.

• Skin cytology (scrapings): This test involves analyzing a tissue sample under a microscope. The vet will look for mites or infections from bacteria or fungus, such asringworm.

• Intradermal testing: In this test, a veterinarian pricks the skin with a small amount of allergen. If the area swells after a half-hour, it means your pet is allergic to that substance.

• Radioallergosorbent test (RAST): A blood test used to identify environmental allergens such as pollen.

• Food trial: If food is a suspected allergen, then a vet may suggest a prescription diet (or food cooked at home) without any additional treats. If itchiness subsides, then food may be the culprit.

Treatment of Dog Itching

If you leave itchy skin in dogs untreated, it may lead to new problems, such as hot spots, which are areas of inflamed skin caused by excessive licking and biting. Your pet will also be uncomfortable, and the only way to stop the itching is to see a vet to find and treat the cause.

Over-the-counter treatments should only be given under the guidance of a veterinarian. Depending on the underlying condition, your vet may recommend one of the following options to help get the itching under control:

• Antibiotics: In the case of bacterial and fungal infections, antibiotics may be prescribed, often taking 21 to 30 days to fully clear skin infections.

• Insect control: Removing or limiting a dogs exposure to insects can help in cases of allergic reactions to insect bites.

• Prescribed diet: If food allergies are suspected, your veterinarian may recommend a special diet. This may mean trial and error to find the right food.

• Steroid medications: Medications such as glucocorticoids are highly effective but can have side effects such as increased hunger and thirst; these medications are usually prescribed for short periods.

• Anti-itch medication: Cyclosporine, oclacitinib, and essential fatty acids are common medications prescribed to dogs for symptom management.

• Antihistamines: While using antihistamines for treating itchiness is common, studies have not established it as a reliably effective treatment for dogs.

• Dog shampoos: Your vet may recommend over-the-counter dog shampoos to help with itching in the short-term.

Dog Itching FAQs

Can stress cause itching in dogs?

Yes, stress can cause short-term itching in dogs. Taking your dog for a walk or playing with them may help relieve symptoms.

How can I relieve my dogs itching?

In addition to following your veterinarians recommendation for treatment, bathing your dog can help, particularly if your dog has atopic dermatitis.

Why is my dog so itchy but has no fleas?

Itchiness can be caused by infection or allergies in the air, such as pollen, dander, or plants. You may not be able to see the fleas, or a single flea bite could have caused the reaction. Taking your dog to the veterinarian will help rule out causes and provide the necessary care.

References

Moriello, K. Itching (pruritus) in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual. April 2022.

Pruritus diagnostics in dogs and cats. Veterinary Information Network. February 2020.

Featured Image: iStock.com/Oksana Restenko

Should I Bathe My Dog to Stop His Itching? (A Vet Explains)

Your dog is itchinga lot, and you want to help ease his misery. Will it help to bathe him?

When Id get a call from clients asking if they could give their dog a bath to help ease itchiness, I would tell them its usually a good idea. Then Id recommend a checkup to help figure out the cause of the skin irritation. During the appointment, I would discuss the what, how, and when of bathing.

In this article, well discuss why its usually helpful to bathe dogs to stop itching and what you can use. After that, well go over how and how often to give your pup a bath when he has itchy skin.

Because many itch dogs have skin sensitivities, well discuss what types of shampoos are best for your pal. Well also tell you about some other things you can do to relieve your pups itching and when its time to call your vet about your furbabys itchiness.

Lets get going.

Is It a Good Idea to Bathe My Dog to Stop His Itching?

Its often helpful to bathe your dog when hes itching, but you should try to find out whats irritating him first. Knowing the underlying trigger can help you choose the best solution for your pooch. When you use the right kind of shampoo, it can moisturize the skin and remove dead skin, bacteria, and other irritants.

However, there are times when bathing your itchy pooch is counterproductive. Sometimes, using the wrong product or bathing your pooch too frequently can increase itching instead of relieving the symptoms. Thats why you should always use a gentle shampoo with ingredients that soothe and protect the skin.

Bathing your itchy dog usually helps to relieve the symptoms. Before you start the bathwater, its best to figure out the cause of the itching so that you can pick the best solution. Otherwise, you may not get the results youre looking for.

What can I bathe my dog with to stop itching?

There are a variety of things you can use to bathe your itchy dog. Some products are natural while others are available for purchase.

• Colloidal oatmeal bath When your pooch has dry, itchy skin you can use colloidal oatmeal to bathe your dog. Grind about 1 cup of oatmeal to a fine powder and mix it with a tub of warm bath water.
• Baking soda solution You can also add a few tablespoons of baking soda to your dogs bathwater to help soothe itching.
• Natural, gentle shampoo Shampoo formulas with natural ingredients can help to relieve itchy skin. Its best to look for products that include oatmeal, dog-safe essential oils, or other substances that soothe and moisturize irritated skin.
• Medicated shampoo If the itching is severe or wont respond to regular shampoos or home remedies, you may want to try a medicated shampoo with active ingredients. Other products may include ingredients to combat fungal or bacterial infections.
• Flea and tick shampoo Sometimes, itching in your dog is due to skin parasites like fleas or ticks. In this case, you want to choose a product thats gentle on the skin but also includes ingredients designed to kill the bugs.

If your pooch is itching all the time, there are various bathing options you can try to soothe his skin. Homemade remedies include colloidal oatmeal and baking soda. You can also use commercial products that are gentle and natural or medicated to address the cause of the itching.

How to bathe my dog to stop itching?

Once you find the cause of your pals itching and choose a shampoo or home remedy, how do you use it to help soothe Fidos skin? Lets look at what you should do to prevent undesired effects.

First, only bathe your pooch as often as needed. Overbathing can wash away the skins protective oils and increase dryness. If youre using an over-the-counter product, choose a gentle formula designed to be anti-itch or hypoallergenic. Dont select human products or formulas that arent pH balanced for canine skin.

Once you select a product, bathe your pooch gently. Massage the product into his coat, but dont scrub too hard because that can be irritating to the skin. After lathering your pooch, rinse his coat thoroughly to remove all shampoo residue then apply a hypo-allergenic conditioner to protect the skin and coat.

Finish by drying your pup thoroughly, but dont use hot air. Pat dry with a towel and dry the fur with fans or a hair dryer set on low. Moisture can increase itchiness.

To prevent increasing your dogs itching, dont over-bathe your pooch. You should select a product hypoallergenic product thats pH-balanced for dog skin. Its important to use a gentle bathing technique and rinse the fur thoroughly after shampooing. Also, make sure you dry your pooch completely, but dont use hot air.

How often should I bathe my itchy dog?

The answer to this question is not a one-size-fits-all frequency. How often you should bathe your pooch depends on your dogs breed, activity level, and health condition. But in many cases bathing once a month is a good starting target.

However, bathing too often can have negative effects because the water and shampoo can remove protective oils from the skin. Rather than automatically bathing your pup on a schedule, watch for signs that its time to run another bath. One rule of thumb for bathing your pooch is if you can smell a doggy odor. In the case of an itchy dog, you should also take action if you notice scratching or red, irritated skin.

How often you should bathe your itchy dog depends on his breed, activity level, and signs that he needs another bath. Over bathing can cause dry, itchy skin to get worse rather than better. Watch for undesirable doggy odor, scratching, and red irritated skin.

Should I use a special Shampoo?

You should use a hypoallergenic shampoo that contains ingredients to soothe your dogs skin. Ideally, your product will be free of harsh or synthetic ingredients that often contribute to skin irritation. There are several varieties of anti-itch formulas on the market.

There are different varieties of anti-itch shampoos that you can select depending on your pups needs. For dogs with the occasional itch, try gentle formulas with natural ingredients that include substances like oatmeal or coconut oil. If your pooch has more severe itching and skin issues, look for a medicated shampoo with active ingredients to soothe the irritation or address issues like bacterial infections. Dogs with fleas or ticks need anti-parasitic shampoos.

The type of shampoo you use will depend on your pups needs, but it should have natural ingredients and be gentle on the skin. Special medicated shampoos may be called for if your pup has skin issues, infections, or parasites.

What else can I do to relieve my dogs itching?

Besides using homemade or commercial shampoo, there are a variety of other things you can do to relieve your dogs itching. Some options include substances that you can apply to your pooch, and other options are lifestyle-oriented.

Topical remedies

In addition to using an anti-itch shampoo or bathing your dog with oatmeal or baking soda, you can use other topical remedies to help reduce itching.

• Coconut oil Virgin coconut oil has anti-inflammatory effects and helps to soothe and moisturize dry skin. You can rub some coconut oil onto your dogs coat and gently brush it in to get to the skin. After about 10 minutes, rinse off any excess oil.
• Apple cider vinegar You can make a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water to spray on your pooch to soothe itchy skin. As an acid, vinegar is antibacterial and antiseptic so it can help fight skin infections.
• Aloe vera Aloe vera promotes skin healing and includes anti-inflammatory substances. You can use commercial aloe vera gel or use some from a plant leaf. Rub the gel into the irritated part of your dogs skin.

Lifestyle solutions

• Give skin-supporting supplements Supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and digestive enzymes can help boost your pups immunity and support skin health.
• Check the environment Investigate your dogs environment and any recent changes to see if something is triggering a skin reaction. Did you recently change cleaning products or laundry detergent?
• Feed a hypoallergenic diet Your dog may have a food sensitivity to one or more ingredients in his diet. Talk to your veterinarian about evaluating Fido for food allergies.

Summary: Some of the other things you can do to help relieve itching in your dog include topical applications of a vinegar and water solution, aloe vera, or virgin coconut oil. You can also try lifestyle changes such as feeding supplements, checking the environment for triggers, or

When Should I See a Vet?

Sometimes using anti-itch shampoo and trying other measures doesnt help your pooch. So, when do you know its time to call the vet? You should contact your furbabys doctor whenever:

You Notice Hives, Redness, or Swelling

When you see hives, swollen areas around the face, ears, or other parts of your pups body, or if the skin is reddened, it may mean your pup is having an allergic reaction to something. Some allergies can be life-threatening, so you should call your veterinarian immediately and seek medical attention.

There Are Abnormal Skin Changes

If your dogs skin is getting thicker, changing texture, or turning black, there may be an infection. Talk to your veterinarian and schedule an appointment. He can take skin scrapings, run tests to diagnose the problem, and develop a treatment plan.

You Cant Stop Your Dogs Itching

When youve tried everything you can but your dog is still scratching continuously, you should contact your vet. There may be allergies or other underlying conditions that need attention. Your pups doctor can examine your pooch, take blood samples, and run other diagnostics to get to the bottom of things.

Any time that you observe signs that your dog is having an allergic reaction, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. You should also call the doctor if there are abnormal changes in your dogs skin or if nothing you tried was able to stop your dogs itching.

Final Woof

Its usually a good idea to bathe your dog if hes itching. You just have to make sure you use a gentle, natural product thats non-allergenic, and dont over bathe your pooch. When you bathe your pup, gently work the formula into your dogs fur without irritating his skin, then rinse thoroughly. The type of product you use will depend on the reason your pup is itching.

There are other things you can try to help relieve your dogs itching. Some are topical applications and others involve your pals diet or environment. If shampooing and other interventions dont help or your pup shows signs of an allergic reaction or skin infection, you should contact your vet.