Relief for Your Pup’s Itchy Skin

Itchy skin can be a pain for us dogs and you hoomans, so we compiled a list of reasons for why your pet can be itchy and what to do about it!

What causes itchy skin in dogs?

Dogs itch for a lot of different reasons. Sometimes we scratch for no reason at all, especially at night when we are bored and no one is entertaining us. If your dog is incessantly itching, scratching, and biting themselves, then this is when you should be concerned.

Dry Skin

A common reason for itching is dry skin. If you live in an area with low humidity, then it is more likely that your dog has dry skin. You can check for dry skin by parting your dog’s hair and looking for skin flakes or dandruff.

Dry skin can also be caused by diet. Dry pet food have dehydrating effects on the skin and hair, while also stimulating thirst. If you suspect your pet’s dry skin is a result of diet then you can either give change their diet or add digestive enzymes to their meals. If your dog has a healthy diet then this improves hydration and increases moisture levels.

Another reason for dry skin could be your pet’s shampoo. Try changing your pet’s shampoo and see if their itching stops. If you bathe your pet too much this can also cause dry skin, because too many baths can deplete the natural oils in the skin and coat.

Fleas

Fleas are a very common reason dogs itch. It’s not the flea bites that engender us to itch, but that we are allergic to flea saliva (not all of us are allergic to fleas but most of us are). If you suspect your dog has fleas or you just want to prevent your dog from getting fleas you should use a monthly flea control treatment. We recommend getting a flea and tick treatment shampoo and an oatmeal shampoo for your dog! Oatmeal smells good and it relieves itching!

 

 

Mites

Mites are less common than fleas but they can also be causing itchy skin. A parasitic mite infestation on dogs is called sarcastic mange. Mites prefer areas on the dog’s skin that don’t have much hair so be on the lookout for your dog scratching their ears, elbows, and stomach. Also, be on the lookout for hair loss because this can be caused by mites. Your vet can diagnose and treat mites!

Allergies

Allergies can also cause itchy skin in dogs. Allergies can be a result of diet, environment, or vaccinations. If you suspect allergies just make sure your dog has a healthy diet and a shampoo that works well for them!

Other

Sometimes itchy skin can also be a result of another health issue. It can be caused by anxiety or hypothyroid conditions. Just pay attention to how much they are itching and where they are itching and talk to your vet about it.

Check out 5 natural remedies for dog’s itchy skin here!

We hope you found this helpful!

The Little Aussies

Luna, Casper , Milo (Porkchop), and Poppy