Itching in dogs: what are the causes, and what can you do about it?
Every dog, like a person, gets itchy from time to time, so every dog scratches. This may be because the collar is uncomfortable, because something is irritating them, or simply because an itchy spot develops on the skin. Normally, this is nothing to worry about. However, have you noticed that your dog is scratching more than usual? Then it is important to find out what is causing it and whether you need to take action. In this blog, we explain the possible causes of itching in dogs and what you can do about it.
Symptoms of itching in dogs
Itching is a reaction of the skin to an external or internal ‘condition’ and is not a disease in itself, but a symptom. You will often quickly notice when your dog is suffering from itching or a skin problem. The most common symptoms are:
- Biting, licking and scratching
- Shaking their head and rubbing against the ground
- Thick, greasy skin and/or open sores
- A smelly skin and/or coat
- Red skin
- Flaky skin
- Scabs
What are the causes of itching in dogs and what can you do about it?
The symptoms described above are each very unpleasant, of course. The big question, however, is what is causing these symptoms. Only when you know the cause can you take appropriate action to relieve your dog’s itching. Often, it is something relatively harmless, such as a flea bite or mites, but it is still important to address the underlying cause. In many cases, you can do this yourself quite easily, but sometimes you will need help from a vet. Below, we list the most common causes of itching in dogs:
· Fleas and parasites
We all know that fleas can cause severe itching in dogs. Fortunately, this cause is usually easy to identify, so the problem can be resolved quickly. However, there are also parasites that are less visible, making the cause harder to determine, while they can cause the dog unbearable itching. These include various mite-related conditions such as demodicosis, sarcoptic mange (scabies mites) and cheyletiellosis. If your dog is suffering greatly from itching or other skin and/or coat problems and you cannot determine the cause yourself, contact your vet. The vet will use various tests to establish whether a parasite is involved and then prescribe the appropriate treatment.
· Environmental allergies
Just like people, dogs can also be allergic to substances in their environment. They may react allergically to pollen, dust mites and dander from other animals, for example. To relieve the itching, a dog may rub its head across the floor or along the wall, and it may also lick or bite its paws frequently. A natural diet or supplements that support the skin and coat may help relieve the symptoms; however, the complaints will not disappear if a dog has an environmental allergy. It is possible to reduce your dog’s itching through hyposensitisation. In this treatment, the allergens (the substances to which the dog is allergic) are administered in small amounts so that the dog can gradually become accustomed to them.
· Diet
Diet can also cause itching in dogs. It is very important that your dog receives sufficient amounts of the right nutrients—not only for good resistance but also for healthy skin. If a dog does not receive enough nutrients, this can cause dry, flaky and itchy skin. To prevent this, it is important to give your dog a complete, high-quality diet; you can also supplement the diet with salmon oil if desired.
· A dog’s shedding
Every dog sheds. Especially when dogs are moulting, they carry around a huge amount of loose hair, which can cause considerable itching. It is therefore important to brush or comb your dog thoroughly every week and have them trimmed or hand-stripped in good time. This can help prevent a great deal of itching.
· Infections
Finally, there are infections. Bacterial or non-bacterial skin infections (such as ringworm) can develop as a result of a bite from another animal or insect. The dog will respond by scratching excessively. If you inspect your dog’s skin, you will soon notice red bumps, scabs, pus or inflamed skin. In this case, a visit to the vet is unavoidable. The vet can determine exactly which type of skin infection your dog has and what the appropriate treatment is.
