Sometimes it seems that every time you turn around your dog is scratching. He may even develop sores because he is itching himself so much. If you’ve ever put your hand between his foot and his skin when your dog is scratching, you know how hard he is itching too. While there are a number of things that can cause itchiness the keys ones are parasites, infections, allergies, and pain.
Fleas will make you and your dog itch. If you have multiple pets in the home and they are all itchy, fleas are a likely culprit. They can be treated with insecticidal baths and medications designed to kill fleas and their eggs. Ticks and mites are less likely to travel to you from your dog but they will still irritate your dog’s skin.
Mites are found on the skin but there is a variety of mite that tends to infest canine ears as well. Ear mites are extremely itchy. You will notice an odorous, red-brown substance in his ears which will likely be quite red from a combination of scratching and the mites themselves. Bring your dog in to your veterinarian to have them properly cleaned out. Antibiotics and miticides may be required.
Mange mites can also cause severe irritation. There are two types of mange mites.
Demodectic mites are present on the skin at all times. They tend to have a population increase when the immune system is stressed. Flare ups lead to bald patches, open sores and itchy skin. Demodectic mange is not contagious. Sarcoptic mange can look similar but is highly contagious. A skin scraping is used to differentiate between them.
Your dog can also get bitten by mosquitos, black flies, and other biting insects or stung by wasps and bees. Depending on what bit him and how sensitive his skin is, he may have a raised, red area or nothing visible to you. Using a topical, pet safe insect repellant can help prevent bites if your dog plays in areas with a lot of biting insects. Stings from bees and wasps can be more serious. Some dogs can have an anaphylactic reaction to stings and may even require treatment with an epi-pen. Most will be fine with a dose of antihistamine. Get the dose from your veterinarian as it is weight dependent. Stings tend to cause noticeable swelling, particularly if they occur on the face.
Your dog can be allergic to many things including chicken, wheat, dust, pollen, and ragweed. Allergies of all types will leave your dog very itchy and irritated. Food allergies are typically treated with a change in diet but inhaled or contact allergies may require special steps to avoid the allergen or treatment with medication if it is unavoidable.
Dogs sometimes develop moist eczema or dermatitis, more commonly known as hot spots. Some breeds, such as retrievers, are much more prone to them than others. They can be caused by any type of irritation or infection that gets scratched and remains moist. Excessive mats in the coat can also create pockets of moisture. In these areas, bacteria build up causing the hot spot. They can become quite large and can be difficult to treat. Antibiotics are usually required.
Fungal infections such as ringworm can also cause itchiness as well as hair loss. Some fungal infections are quite contagious. If you suspect ringworm you should always consult your veterinarian. There are a number of diseases such as seborrhea that can have itchiness as a side effect as well.
Your dog does not have hands to remove burs, slivers and thorns from his skin. He may try to dislodge these items with his teeth or his claws. He may also scratch at a sore spot in the same fashion that you might rub one with your hand.
Your dog can also occasionally develop dry skin due to weather conditions or nutritional imbalances. If it is due to weather, hand lotion can be used to add moisture to the skin temporarily. Nutritional imbalances should be ruled out by a veterinarian though as they can have more serious consequences if left untreated.
Dogs that are bored or anxious can develop compulsive behaviours such as licking and scratching. They will continue to lick and scratch at areas even after they are raw, open sores. While the wound must be treated, it is equally important to treat the cause of the behaviour. This may involve a change in routine, medication, or a combination of both.
Although many things can make your dog itch, most are treatable. In many cases it is a matter of eliminating the parasites, infections, or allergens. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to distinguish which is causing your pet’s scratching. Consulting a veterinarian is a good idea if you can not immediately determine the cause of the irritation.
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