Why is my dog itching so much?
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It can be distressing when your dog won’t stop scratching, licking or chewing at their skin. We understand how uncomfortable this can be for them and how worrying it is for you.
In this blog, we’ll explore the common causes of itchy skin in dogs, the signs to look out for and how diet and vet-recommended treatments can help soothe their skin and support long-term relief.
Table of contents
Signs your Dog has Itchy Skin
Signs and symptoms of dog itching and scratching can include one or more of the following;
- Scratching and nibbling more than usual
- Chewing or licking at their paws
- Head shaking or ear scratching
- Rubbing themselves against the ground or household furniture
- Areas of hair loss
- Pink or red, inflamed skin
- Sores, scabs or spots
- Brown-pink saliva staining from excessive licking (easier to spot on dogs with white fur)
- Increased odour
- Dry, flaky skin
- Thickening or darkening of the skin in longstanding cases
Causes of Itching and Scratching in Dogs
Why is my dog itchy?
A commonly asked question! There can be several reasons why your dog might be scratching excessively which is why a trip to the vet is always recommended. Common causes of excessive itchiness include;
- Environmental allergies, also known as atopic dermatitis e.g. grass pollens and house dust mites
- Food allergies
- Parasites e.g.fleas, mites or lice
- Yeast and fungal infections
- Bacterial infections
- Seborrhoea
- Contact with an irritant e.g. household cleaning products
- Anxiety or boredom
Tests to Diagnose Itchy Skin in your Dog
Your vet will start by doing a physical examination. They will also take a history from you to understand when the problem started and what symptoms you have noticed. Depending on their findings they may suggest some further tests. These could include;
- Taking samples of hair or scrapes from the skin to look at under the microscope
- Taking swabs to send off to the lab for bacterial and fungal culture
- Taking a biopsy and sending a sample of skin tissue to the lab for analysis
- Take blood samples to work out if your pet is reacting to environmental allergens
- A strict food trial to diagnose food allergies
- Trialling medication to assess response
Best Itch Relief for Dogs
As there are different causes of itchiness in dogs, the treatment prescribed for your pet will vary. Some pets have more than one issue going on, such as a skin allergy with a secondary bacterial infection on top. There is sometimes trial and error involved in working out what suits your dog best. Some dogs will need ongoing management in the case of incurable conditions like skin allergies.
Commonly prescribed itch relief for dogs include;
- Anti-parasite treatment
- Medications to reduce itchiness such as glucocorticoids (‘steroids’), antihistamines or monoclonal antibody injections
- Topical treatments such as medicated shampoo, ear drops or wipes
- Immunotherapy injections based on the results of allergy testing
- A hypoallergenic diet
- Supplementation with essential fatty acids (EFAs) to improve skin and coat quality
How to stop my dog itching?
We would always recommend that you follow your vet’s advice when it comes to treatment for excessive itching. However, it is well-recognised that diet plays an important role in your dog’s skin and coat health. This is why our recipes include some of the following ingredients to support your pet;
Fish oil – Essential fatty acids (EFAs) found in fish oils are proven natural anti-inflammatories and can reduce itchiness. This may reduce the need for medications like steroids (‘steroid sparing effect’), which are not without side effects.
Coconut oil – An ingredient rich in medium-chain triglycerides that can reduce skin inflammation
Marine collagen – Collagen is one of the building blocks of skin, hair and nails, with marine collagen being more bioavailable than other sources.
Biotin – Supports healthy skin and hair growth, as well as performing vital roles in other bodily processes.
Itchy dog example cases
Let’s take a look at some common areas of concern for owners!
‘My dog is itching and losing hair but no fleas’
There are several things this could be, so a vet exam is important. Very often a vet will find fleas even when you can’t! If it’s not parasites, then allergies and skin infections could also cause this.
‘My dog keeps itching and biting himself’
If your dog keeps itching, then your vet will want to rule out parasites first such as fleas and mites. Allergies are then the next most likely thing to cause these symptoms in dogs.
‘My dog keeps itching his ears’
Ear infections are a likely cause of itchy ears, but your vet will also check for ear mites, foreign bodies and signs of allergies.
‘My dog keeps itching his paws’
Itchy paws are commonly seen in dogs with allergies, but harvest mites (a type of parasite) can also cause your dog to nibble their feet.
Summary
A vet exam is the first thing to do for dogs that are itching. However, once you have a diagnosis there are a lot of things you can do to support your pet. This includes feeding them a diet which is aimed at supporting their skin and coat condition and reducing inflammation. A healthy skin barrier will act as a better defence against allergens and secondary skin infections.
To find out more about how Years's adult, puppy and senior meals could help your dog be as healthy as they can be, see our ’How does Years work’ page for more information. You can also contact us with any questions you might have.
About the author
Dr. Becky
Rebecca MacMillan – BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS
Rebecca is a companion animal vet who graduated from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009. Since then, she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever, George!
