Why is my dog scratching? An overview of the most common causes of skin and coat problems

Food allergy or intolerance

Another common problem is that dogs can develop itching from food. Dogs can develop an intolerance to certain protein sources (in most cases these are chicken and beef), dairy products, soy, grains and/or gluten, and egg. Besides itching, stomach and intestinal problems are also symptoms of a food allergy or intolerance. Good nutrition is essential for a healthy skin and coat of your dog and should at least be free from preservatives and fragrance, color, and flavor additives. You can read more about what good nutrition should meet in this blog.

It is also difficult to determine exactly what your dog is reacting to in cases of food allergy or intolerance. If you have an idea of what your dog reacts to (for example, because he is given a certain food that causes him to scratch or clearly scratches more after receiving a snack with a certain protein source), you can follow an elimination diet. This means avoiding certain protein sources and/or other food allergens in your dog's daily menu for a period of time. Also, make sure not to give your dog snacks that contain these food allergens. When switching to a different food, it is important to be patient and stay patient. It takes about six to eight weeks for a dog's digestive system to get used to new food and for you to see results.

It is important to feed hypoallergenic food during an elimination diet. In cases of skin and coat problems, hypoallergenic food based on fish is often chosen. Fish-based food contains a high level of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for the overall health of your dog but also contribute to a healthy skin and coat. The Riverwood Adult Salmon & Whitefish with Herring variant consists of three unique, hypoallergenic protein sources rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and is therefore an extremely suitable food for dogs with skin and coat problems. Want to responsibly pamper your dog? Then check out the range of hypoallergenic chew snacks here from Riverwood.

Do you have no idea what your dog is reacting to? Then it is advisable to visit a veterinarian. A veterinarian can take blood from your dog and perform an allergy screening based on that. Based on the results of the allergy screening, you can choose a diet free from the allergens your dog reacts to.

Environmental allergy/atopy

In addition to the causes mentioned above, it is also possible that a dog has a sensitivity to substances in the air. This is also called an environmental allergy or atopy. Often, this manifests in dogs as itching under the paws or on the head. This sensitivity is often seasonal and can be compared to hay fever, as we humans know it. For example, dogs can react to certain trees, plants, thistles, or types of grass. It is even possible for a dog to be sensitive to house dust mites. Symptoms associated with environmental allergy/atopy usually appear in dogs at a young age.

In the case of an environmental allergy/atopy, a veterinarian can also take blood from your dog and perform an allergy screening. Unfortunately, a dog cannot be cured of an environmental allergy/atopy. Treatment is possible, but its goal is to control the symptoms so the dog can live as itch-free and comfortably as possible. One example of treatment is immunotherapy, also called desensitization. This involves administering allergens to the dog in controlled amounts over a longer period to gradually accustom the dog's immune system to the substances. In this way, the dog becomes less sensitive over time.

Is itching always solvable?

There are countless reasons why a dog might scratch or have skin and coat problems. It can be a huge puzzle to find the real cause of itching. Fortunately, there is almost always a solution to at least control itching or even completely resolve it. However, keep in mind that finding the cause of itching can be a long process that may require a lot of time, effort, and money. If you can't figure it out yourself or have doubts, always consult a veterinarian. After all, they are the only ones authorized to make a medical diagnosis and provide treatment.

Many dogs already enjoy Riverwood every day. Would you also like your dog to savor our delicious foods and are you curious which variant would suit your dog best? Answer here a few questions and order a budget-friendly trial pack right away.