What to do if my dog won t stop itching

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.

My Dog Wont Stop Itching? Causes and What to Do

A constantly itchy dog can be worrisome. An inch every once in a while is fine. We all get them. But when it becomes a constant irritant and disturbance for your furry friend, its a problem.

Itching in dogs can be a pain to diagnose because of the many potential causes. It could be an allergic reaction to a new food, something sprayed on the grass in your residential area, fleas, or many other things.

If you notice your pups consistently itchy and scratching, its important to narrow down the cause.

Its especially important to pay attention if your pup is scratching or picking at themselves to the point of hurting themselves or they just cant seem to relax.

If you think their itching could be a sign of a larger problem or nothing is working, go ahead and call the vet and make an appointment.

Allergies

Allergies can be a pain for anyone, regardless of whether theyre human or animal. Many of us suffer from different allergies and they can cause different problems.

Certain allergic reactions can cause itching in your companion. It could be seasonal allergies, an ingredient in their food, or something youve been putting on their skin.

Allergies caused by pollen, insect bites, or other factors can cause itchy skin.

Skin Allergies and Irritations

Many triggers may cause an allergic reaction to your pups skin. Pollen, insects, plants, and many other outside factors can trigger them.

Dogs suffering from skin allergies may suffer from constant itching along with constant grooming and licking, sneezing, watery eyes, rashes, or inflamed skin.

If youre unsure of whats causing your pups allergic reaction, you may need a vets help. They can run a variety of skin tests to determine whats triggering them and how to treat it.

Your pup can also suffer skin irritations from wearable garments like collars, harnesses, or the cute dog shirt you bought at the pet store. If theyre scratching right after getting a new wearable item, it may be causing skin irritation.

Food Allergies

If your pup suddenly starts scratching after a recent food or treat change, the food change is likely the cause. There could be an ingredient that their system just cant handle properly. Like humans, certain dogs have allergies to certain foods.

For example, our Pekingese started scratching at herself when we gave her chicken-based foods when she was a puppy. When we banned chicken from her diet, the scratching calmed down.

A food allergy for a dog may cause irritated skin patches around the stomach, eyes, rear, ears, or paws. They may also throw up or have diarrhea in more serious cases. In severe cases, they may have facial swelling, in which case I would head straight to the vet.

Food allergies can be a pain to determine, and its best to consult your vet for advice if its not obvious what caused it. There are allergy tests they can run.

They may also recommend an elimination diet where you eliminate treats and foods from their diets to determine which food is causing their discomfort.

Environmental Allergies

Dogs can suffer allergies from their surroundings just like us. Dust mites, mold, pollen, dander, and other things can be considered environmental. While these allergies are known more for causing respiratory issues, they may cause itchy skin as well.

Make sure you try to keep your house reasonably clean of dust and mold for both of your sakes. When cleaning, make sure youre using a pet-friendly floor cleaner to avoid an allergic reaction to the cleaner.

Keep the AC running in the summer, and wipe your pup off when they come inside, especially if the grass outside was just sprayed with anything.

Dogs can suffer allergic reactions to certain things in their environments like dust and mold.

Parasites

Parasites are probably the scariest possibility for your companions itching, and one you want to eliminate right away. Not only can they harm your furry friend, but they can also potentially jump on you too.

Make sure youre checking your pet for parasites periodically and investing in preventatives.

Fleas

Fleas are the most well-known parasite when it comes to dogs. Theyre infamous for causing itching and discomfort in pets. They reproduce quickly and can easily jump from animal to animal (including humans). If you suspect your companion has them, you need to act quickly.

Make sure you keep hypogenic flea shampoos and other flea eradicators on hand. Dont ever assume it cant happen to your dog, no matter how careful you are.

If you suspect they have fleas, go ahead and bath them with a flea-killing shampoo to eradicate as many of the little demons as you can. Then use a flea comb to remove any remaining fleas and anything they left behind. Pay special attention to their neck and back legs.

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Once youve confirmed your pup has or had fleas, go ahead and take them to the vet. They can recommend any needed medications and make sure they are gone.

Watch out for Flea Allergy Dermatitis if your pup seems to be obsessively grooming, restless, or if theyre emitting an unusual odor. This condition is an allergic reaction to flea saliva. Vets can prescribe medications for it.

Fleas are a pain, so make sure youre taking preventative measures in advance to try to prevent them. Get your pup their flea shots, get a flea collar, check them regularly, whatever it takes.

Fleas are infamous for causing itching and discomfort in dogs, and they can potentially spread to humans if not dealt with.

Lice

While lice arent very common in dogs, its still worth looking out for. Some lice can be passed between dogs, and they may cause your pup to experience hair loss along with itching. There are lice shampoo and topical treatments for lice.

If you notice your pup suffering from hair loss and scratching, take them to the vet to get help if needed.

Mites

Mites are potentially dangerous because certain mites can cause a condition called mange. This condition is contagious even for humans and can cause inflamed or shabby skin and loss of fur along with intense itching.

If you suspect your pup has mange, get them to the vet quickly to diagnose it and get treatments.

Dry Skin

If your pups scratching is getting out of control, check their skin and see if its dried out. Dry skin can cause itching just like it can with humans. It can also be a symptom of a problem like parasites or allergies.

Dry skin can also be caused by things like overbathing, certain soaps, or weather conditions. Poor nutrition can also cause dry skin. Make sure youre feeding your pup a balanced diet including fatty acids.

You can tell a dogs skin is dry if its flaking, scaling, inflamed, or if your pup is suffering hair loss, dandruff, or pimples.

Dry skin in dogs can be treated in several ways. If you suspect that their diet is causing the problem, you can try adding more fatty acids to their diet through supplements.

If the air outside and in your house is dry, you may want to consider buying a humidifier. Air moisture can help dogs maintain healthy skin and coat conditions, and dry air can cause the skin to dry out. Keeping a humidifier can help the humans in your household too, so everyone wins.

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If youre having trouble getting your pups dry skin under control, dont hesitate to get help from a vet. Dry skin can potentially be a symptom of a larger problem.

Infections

Various types of infections can cause your pup to scratch at themselves, and its important to find an infection quickly.

Bacterial infections and fungal skin infections can cause serious discomfort for your pet. Yeast infections are a common example of an infection that causes serious itching and discomfort. Dogs may suffer from greasy or scaly skin, swelling, and a distinct odor.

Watch what areas your companion is scratching and chewing at. They could be suffering from a yeast infection, or another issue like an ear infection. If you suspect that theyre suffering from an infection of any kind, take them to the vet for medications.

Dont wait too long to call a vet if your pup has an infection. Many of them require antibiotics and a cone to prevent your pup from scratching during recovery.

Infections can cause itching and may require antibiotics to cure.

Remedies

While it all depends on the exact cause, there are multiple remedies out there for an itching dog.

While some of these can help alleviate the problem, they arent a substitute for a vet visit if the scratching becomes a serious problem.

Antihistamines

People often recommend antihistamines for treating dog allergy issues. Benadryl specifically is the go-to medication for some pet owners. The dosage may depend on dog size.

My family has occasionally given our Pekingese a half-pill of Benadryl to combat allergies and seen some success. That said, you should always consult a vet before giving them any human medication.

Baths

If you havent bathed your pup in a while, consider giving them one, even if they hate it at first. Good hygiene can be a good preventative and soother for itchy skin.

Make sure you have a good shampoo for your pup, especially if theyre prone to skin issues. A flea preventative shampoo or dry skin soother may help.

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At the same time, dont bathe them too often. Overbathing can dry out their skin depending on the breed. Know your dogs breed and condition and only bathe them as needed.

If you notice that the itching is actually worse after a bath, consider switching shampoos. There may be an ingredient in your current shampoo that theyre allergic to.

Store-bought Remedies

There are many over-the-counter remedies you can buy to help your companion if theyre constantly scratching themselves. You can buy itch relief sprays if you know where your pups problem is located.

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You can also try giving your pup chewable supplements for allergy relief. These may not immediately solve the problem, but they can help in the long run.

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See a Veterinarian

If you cant figure out what exactly is causing your dogs itching or you think its a serious issue like an infection, go ahead and call the vet.

Even if its not a serious issue like parasites or infections, your vet can help you determine what exactly is causing their discomfort with skin tests and other tests and if necessary prescribe medications.

Dont hesitate to take your dog to the vet if you cant pinpoint a specific cause of their itching or you think its a larger problem.

Address Your Dogs Itching Quickly

Itching happens occasionally and isnt something to worry about if its just an occasional issue. But constant itching, scratching and licking means that your dog is suffering from something. And they can potentially hurt themselves doing it if it drives them crazy enough.

If your pup is constantly scratching at themselves, its best to assume that somethings wrong and find the cause. It can be difficult because there are so many different causes, but if all else fails the vet can run tests to help narrow it down.

If you notice that the itching occurs after a change in diet or shampoo products, its best to look at the ingredients and determine which ingredient is different, and not use anything with those ingredients again. Same with any changes in wearable items and any other pet products.

If its not obvious which ingredients are causing the problem, an elimination diet may be needed to narrow down which ingredients trigger reactions.

Pay attention to whats in your furry friends surroundings, including seasonal things like pollen, whats in the grass, whats in your house, pet food, and other pet products. If your pet is suddenly scratching at themselves, look at whats recently changed.

Never hesitate to reach out to the vet if you cant solve your pups discomfort on your own. If sprays, baths, and other remedies arent helping, a vet may need to run tests to diagnose the real cause and what to do about it.

Jen Jones is a professional dog trainer and behavior specialist with more than 25 years of experience. As the founder of Your Dog Advisor and the Canine Connection rehabilitation center, she applies a holistic, empathetic approach, aiming to address root causes rather than merely treating symptoms.

Well known for her intuitive and compassionate approach, Jen adopts scientifically-proven, reward-based methods, encouraging positive reinforcement over punishment. Jen specializes in obedience training, behavior modification, and puppy socialization. Her innovative methods, particularly in addressing anxiety and aggression issues, have been widely recognized. Jen has worked with many of the worlds leading dog behaviorists and in her free time volunteers with local animal shelters and rescue groups.