Reasons Why Your Pet May Be Itchy: Understanding Common Causes And Treatment

Roohani Singh

Content Writer

May 09, 23

As a pet parent, I have always woken up to my dogs Luna and Max going to town scratching, licking and shaking their ears, paws and back.

Usually, I’d huff and mumble the words ‘no’ and ‘please guys stop’ and go right back to sleep. No matter how many years of experience one has with their pets, every time there always seems to be something new to learn. Such was the case with my pet’s tendency to itch.

Once I consulted a professional about the various reasons on why my dogs were persistently scratching themselves. Now, I realise how important it is to share this information with other pet parents like me!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Why exactly is my dog so itchy?

2 Environmental factors

3 Forms of treatment and medications

4 Frequently Asked Questions

4.1 Are there any home remedies for my itchy dog?

4.2 Can hair loss be a possible effect of my dog's skin allergies?

4.3 How can we treat a flea allergy?

4.4 What are certain common flowers that can cause my dog to be itchy?

Why exactly is my dog so itchy?

Unfortunately, the very act of your dog's scratching themselves may also be a simple act of self - cleansing. The key is to pay close attention to your dog's behaviour.

I spent some time “calculating” and by calculating, I mean stared at Luna scratching herself and realised how uncomfortable her facial expressions as well as body language were.

Like most pet parents, I turned to Google for answers but was overwhelmed by the amount of information available. Ultimately, I decided to take her to the vet.

There are four main reasons why a dog may be itchy.

Food - related allergies - We love our dogs so much that it's hard to resist giving them some harmless-looking munchies. But what many pet parents don't realise is that even simple ingredients like sweet biscuits, processed meats, or certain fruits can trigger food-related allergies that manifest as skin irritations.

Just like how humans can react poorly to certain foods, our furry friends can experience adverse reactions as well. So, it's important to be mindful of what we feed them and to watch out for any signs of allergies or sensitivities.

Fungal Dermatitis- There are many types of fungal infections, but one of the most common one found in India is known as ‘Fungal Cryptococcus’ this is most commonly occurring in areas where birds like pigeons gather in a large number. Now, this flock meeting may be very cute to look at, but our dogs cannot digest the soil around these areas as it can be toxic to their skin as well as their respiratory systems. Which is great because I don’t truly enjoy Max and Luna attempting a Tom Cruise-style pursuit of these unsuspecting birds.

Ear Wax - Now this was a new one. What I learnt from my vet is that ear wax may be harmful to a dog depending on how sensitive their body may be. This may also lead to a painful infection which involves a lot of regular ear cleaning and massaging ear drops in their ears. This can be a tiring process so it’s always good to get them checked any time we visit a vet and participate in some regular grooming at the HUFT spa.

Wrong Shampoos - Every dog shampoo has been designed differently. Some are good for a shiny coat, and some are relatively stronger as they are tick avoidant shampoos. It is important to see how your dog is reacting to the shampoo of your choice as many times certain chemicals can also lead to fungal infections.
Golden Retriever playfully rolling around in the mud

Golden Retriever playfully rolling around in the mud

Environmental Factors

Rainy Season - Monsoons are a fun time in general. Yet our excited pups getting themselves wet in the rain can end up hampering their immune system leading to skin infections and an itchy dog as well. The air quality was not what it was years ago, and rainwater isn’t exactly clean. If the circumstances are unavoidable and your dog does rebel and gets drenched in the rain, the correct shampoo and a good towel chase around the house can save you from worrying about their health.

Soil - I know this one is weird and makes me sound like a pandemic parent but believe it or not, the soil in dog parks may contain harmful particles that can affect your dog's health. While younger dogs with strong immunity may not be bothered by it, older dogs or those with weakened immune systems may be more vulnerable. So, if you're a senior dog parent or have a dog with health issues, it's important to be cautious and avoid letting them play in muddy areas.

Plants and flowers- There are lists of plant and flower species such as Lilies and Orchids which are poisonous for dogs. A good frame-able picture of your pup with a flower must be avoided at all costs!
two German shepherds playing and running around

two German shepherds playing and running around

Various forms of treatment and dog allergy medications

Making mistakes is the part and parcel of any form of parenting. There may be a varying number of reasons why your dog may encounter a skin infection which can lead to anxiety for you and your pet. But every problem has a good solution.

Awareness and solutions always go hand in hand which is why there can be many ways an infection or a random uncomfortable bout of itchiness can be treated.

Topical Antibiotics - Topical antibiotics simply mean a medicated lotion, cream or serum provided by the vet that can be applied to the particular area where your dog is constantly scratching and licking. The level of medication truly depends on what the diagnosis of the vet is. If it isn’t a serious matter, applying the said cream can help reduce inflammation as well as heal the wounds easily.

Oral Antibiotics- Each dog is different; some don’t like having their regular routine hampered with unpleasant smelling chemicals and some may need Oral antibiotics as a support to the Topical ones. This means a week of manipulation including pills wrapped in biscuits or meat and a happy dog with itch relief!

Injections - A regular vet visit and painful injections are usually a rare occurrence but not impossible. Sometimes if the bacteria are resistant to the regular antibiotics, inflammation reducing injections can be administered to your pet as per your veterinarian’s analysis and instructions.

It is important to note that every veterinarian will perform a rash analysis. If we look at the probable causes noted above, we can conclude that every infection and every rash is different and may have different solutions. Observation, evaluation and treatment will lead to a successful solution almost always!

Choosing the correct products

Health issues can be tiring and frustrating for every pet parent. Such situations can also be avoided if we apply the correct products on our pets.

Using all-natural shampoos that are not only sulphate and paraben-free but include amazing ingredients like aloe-vera and apple cider vinegar can be extremely beneficial.

We love our pets, and just as we appreciate nature’s gifts like aloe vera, they deserve to benefit from them too! Our families are familiar with remedies like coconut milk, oatmeal, and aloe vera, and how they are great for moisturising, protecting, healing, and reducing inflammation. That's why our dogs deserve a spa day which will not only comfort them but also protect them from certain bacterial infections.

Parenting is tough. No matter how many dogs you care for, whether they are Indie babies who have survived under harsh conditions or a particular breed with skin conditions. The common consensus always takes us to a point where we are learning and growing as pet parents every single day. Our furry friends deserve all the love and support, and we are here for them!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 Are there any home remedies for my itchy dog?

Yes, there are. Aloe-vera, chamomile tea soaks and apple cider vinegar can heal mild yeast infections and reduce irritant feelings of itchiness. Yet, it is important to note that none of these should be used without getting a heads up from a vet to avoid any sudden reactions from your dog's skin.

Q2 Can hair loss be a possible effect of my dog's skin allergies?

Yes. If your dog has been shedding more than usual, going to a vet for a checkup will help prevent any harm!

Many times, food allergies can translate in the form of itching, dry skin and other allergic reactions.

Q3 How can we treat a flea allergy?

A consultation with your vet and the correct form of antibiotics can easily help heal an allergy caused by a flea infestation.

Q4 What are certain common flowers that can cause my dog to be itchy?

Some common flowers that can be harmful to your dog are - Tulips, Lilies, Chrysanthemums, Carnations and Dahlias.

As pet parents worrying about their health and comfort is a part and parcel of our journey with them. Thus, it is amazing to see the various explanations and treatments available whenever they feel uncomfortable.

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