When a dog is scratching: causes and treatment.
Ectoparasites, allergies, dermatitis, and ringworm. The dog scratches after grooming. Stress and autoimmune diseases as causes of the disease. READ MORE.
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Ectoparasites
More often, itching is caused by fleas and ticks. The former parasitize in the fur, the latter attach to the skin, making them harder to find. Sometimes, pets develop an allergic reaction to their saliva or waste products. If you find ectoparasites on your pet, make sure to:
- Bathe them with a special shampoo.
- Put on a collar or use spot-on treatments.
- Gentle non-toxic sprays are suitable for small breeds (e.g. Fipronil). During walks, avoid areas with tall grass or trees where ticks may jump from. Conduct preventive measures once a month to ensure your pet doesn't suffer from parasites.
Why is the Dog Itching When There Are No Fleas
If a dog constantly scratches intensely without flea or tick infestation, you need to identify and eliminate the cause. There can be several reasons, paying attention to accompanying symptoms.
Allergy
A systemic reaction manifests in:
- reddening of mucous membranes;
- nasal and eye discharge;
- rash;
- mucous membrane swelling, difficulty breathing. Itching occurs without being localized to one area. It can affect both the rash and clean skin. Allergies can be triggered by dust, pollen from flowering plants, or food. To determine the allergen to exclude, allergy tests are necessary. Allergies cannot be cured, only symptoms are relieved and triggers are eliminated.
Dermatitis
If a dog often scratches after sleeping on bedding or contact with shampoo, it is likely to be contact dermatitis. This is a local skin reaction to an irritant, sometimes appearing as a red or pink rash. It appears quickly but resolves over time. Identify which substance or material causes dermatitis and completely remove it from the pet's life.
Dog Itching and Hair Loss
Another reason for a dog scratching and gnawing itself is fungal and bacterial infections, commonly known as ringworm. Symptoms include:
- itching;
- redness;
- localized hair loss;
- multiple lesions merging;
- presence of inflammations. Treatment of mycosis is carried out with special medications, sometimes requiring oral medication. This is the second most common reason after allergies why a dog itches if there are no fleas.
Reasons Why a Dog Itches After Grooming
Sometimes a dog may itch even with clean skin. After grooming, this is normal: the top layer of the skin is slightly irritated. The symptom will disappear in a couple of days. Make sure the pet does not scratch the skin. Additionally:
- Wash with a soothing skin shampoo;
- Give an antihistamine;
- Treat with an antiseptic;
- Apply a moisturizing cream to the most irritated areas. The more often the procedure is done, the more accustomed the pet and its skin will become. Therefore, itching occurs only after the 1-3 grooming sessions.
Other Reasons Why a Dog Itches
If all the above-mentioned reasons have been ruled out with the veterinarian, itching may occur due to:
- Stress. The pet soothes itself by scratching. Sometimes it becomes a compulsive behavior. Remove the irritant, soothe the skin, relax the dog. Also, provide calming aids.
- Autoimmune diseases and central nervous system disorders. In this case, the itching is not real but perceived by the brain or nerves. Further investigations are required.
