Why Is Your Dog Itchy? What Can You Do?

Few things are more distracting than your dog constantly scratching, especially when you're trying to relax. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to help our furry friends put down the paw and relax.

Key Takeaways

• Bites and stings can make your dog scratch, and you can sometimes identify the cause by carefully searching through your dog's coat.
• Seasonal allergies can be caused by natural substances in the environment, like pollen.
• Your dog may be allergic to an ingredient in their food, which might be identified through a food trial.
• Dry skin can become itchy, so maintaining normal moisture content through skin balms could help.
• Be careful when using products with fragrances or harsh chemicals, as these can make your dog's skin itch.
• Scratching is often solvable at home, but if it continues without improving you may need to seek veterinary help.

See Related: 8 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Eating Treats but Not Their Food

#1. Something's Taken a Bite

You're not the only one who thinks your furry friend is the cutest thing in the world. All kinds of critters would love to hitch a ride on your dog.

Fleas are the most well-known. A major study found that up to one in every ten dogs had them.

Even a single flea bite can be extremely uncomfortable. Your dog may even have a flea allergy. That is sometimes a reaction to flea saliva or flea dirt. 

Either way, it's a surefire recipe for itchy skin. 

Fleas can hop onto your dog from all kinds of places. Other animals are often the culprits. But fleas can hide in grass and on clothing, too.

If your dog is lucky enough to have a thick, dark coat of fur, you might have a harder time finding evidence of insects. Social, friendly dogs are also more likely to encounter these pesky insects.

Try avoiding places where critters may be present to prevent fleas. If you have multiple dogs and one has fleas, make sure they are kept separate.

Your dog's itchy skin may also be caused by other critters, like ticks, dust mites, and lice. 

Alternatively, something might have stung your dog.

#2. Their Skin Has Contacted Something Itchy

Skin problems can be caused by all kinds of chemicals and materials. 

One possible culprit could be any products you may use on your pet. If your dog's skin is sensitive, it may react to certain ingredients. 

Fragrances are known to sometimes cause itchy skin. Switching to a medicated shampoo or hypoallergenic shampoo might help your itchy dog.

The cause of your dog's skin problems might also lie with products you use for yourself. After all, who among us isn't petting and cuddling our pets any chance we get?

That includes perfumes, detergents, and cleaning products.

#3. Environmental Allergies

Just like humans, itchy dogs might be suffering from allergic reactions to something in the environment. 

That might be something in your home, like dust, smoke, or mold. They can affect your dog's skin year-round.

It might also be something outside. Environmental allergens include pollen, dander, and grass.

If your dog's skin condition seems to worsen at a similar time of year, they may have seasonal allergies. 

Avoiding the cause of these allergies may help. Alternatively, there are a number of supplements that support pets with seasonal allergies.

Glutathione, for example, is an antioxidant that helps support normal detoxification processes. A tincture or powder with functional mushrooms can also support skin health. 

Your dog's immune system may also be involved in an allergic reaction that causes itchy skin. Supplements with bovine colostrum may support the immune system, and may therefore help with seasonal allergies. 

#4. Food Allergies

You might not think food could cause itchy skin, but think again. Food is one of the most common causes! In fact, nutrition is responsible for up to one in every five cases of skin issues in dogs. 

A food trial can help you identify any ingredients causing your dog's itchy skin. This should be done with the support of a veterinary professional, but the process itself is relatively simple. 

Food trials involve eliminating allergens from your dog's diet until the symptoms stop. By eliminating the cause of the food allergy, you may solve the scratching caused by the food allergy.

But that might leave you without many food options. Therefore, you then slowly reintroduce ingredients to your dog's diet, watching carefully for any changes in your dog's condition. 

If your dog starts itching after you reintroduce an ingredient to their diet, you can simply eliminate it from their diet from that point onwards.

Promoting good gut health is important. Doing so can help maintain normal histamine levels and healthy skin. Our Colostrum Supplement, for example, is just one of our many supplements that may balance and stabilize the gut microbiome to support gut health. 

#5. Dry Skin

Dry skin, sometimes caused by cold winter air, can make your dog itch. Our paw and skin balm can help maintain the normal moisture content of skin and support animals with sensitive skin.

Addressing Skin Problems

You might be thinking that there are all kinds of things that can cause skin disorders in dogs. And that's true!

Fortunately, with the right treatment plan, all but the most extreme cases of scratching can be dealt with. And there are all kinds of treatment options to help your dog maintain healthy skin.

It's important to keep your dog clean. Bathing with a shampoo that doesn't irritate their skin is key. It can remove environmental allergens that might be causing your pet's condition. 

Just make sure to dry your pet properly. Many dogs may resist the dreaded towel, or worse, hair dryer, but it's important not to leave them damp. That can cause hot spots or other skin issues that may prompt scratching.

Wipes are also a great tool to have. You can quickly clean your dog's paws, which are often the body part that contacts potential allergens, without having to bring out the hose or fill up the bath.

Avoiding any potential allergens in the first place is also a good technique. Particularly grassy areas, for example, may be the perfect home for fleas or other parasites that would love to hitch a ride on your dog's skin. 

Supplements are also a great option to support healthy skin. Consider the following areas:

• Immune system: Allergies are related to the immune system, so you want to ensure your dog's immune system is supported. Our five-mushroom blend is the most potent powdered mushroom product on the market, and supports the immune system.
• Gut health: Supplements like colostrum support gut health.
• Nutrition: Beyond a healthy diet, consider a hemp or CBD extract. These help maintain a healthy coat. 

The Bottom Line

No loving pet parent likes to see their furry friend in discomfort. Most itchy dogs can be helped with the above treatments and home remedies. However, affected dogs left untreated may require veterinary care.

Keep Reading: Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws? 6 Causes Explained

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.