Do you constantly find your dog having a bit of a scratch? You might help him out with a scratch in one place only to find he is now desperate to scratch at another spot? Well, it may be your dog is not only itchy, but has a scratching problem.
It is common for all dogs to scratch at some time and many dogs do so as idle recreation, but if you find your dog is constantly scratching it may be the sign of something a little more serious and therefore it is important you identify the cause early to avoid any long term problems or medical conditions which could occur.
What Causes My Dog to Scratch? There are several causes of dog scratching, some of the most common are: Parasites - The most common of all the parasites is the common flea, but it is not the only little nasty that can cause your pup problems.
Ticks, mites and gnats can also be the cause of your pooch scratching and in summer, flies.
The good news is that most parasites can be effectively controlled with medication.
Infection - If you notice a greasy sore, or a red patch that may or may not be hairless your dog is likely to be suffering from an infection caused by bacteria, fungi or yeast.
Environmental - Another cause of itching can quite simply be something in the environment around the dog.
Perhaps given it is summer your dog has been playing in the water a lot? It could therefore be a reaction to the soil or even from just being outside.
Environmental causes can be from an irritation or it could be caused by an allergic reaction.
Allergenic - Just like humans can suffer from an allergic reaction so can dogs.
It can be hard to correctly self diagnose an allergy yourself as there are a range of different causes, from foods, to plants, dust and fleas.
All allergies can lead to skin irritation and therefore cause your dog to itch.
If the scratching has only just started, think about the things that have recently changed in your dogÕs diet and environment.
Nutritional - Since we mentioned food allergies in the last point, it is worth continuing with the nutritional aspect of the food.
Dogs require a balanced diet of the right nutrients in order to stay healthy.
A dog with a bad diet may develop eczema and suffer from dry skin or sores.
Improving the diet of your dog will help improve this condition.
Neurogenic - Finally the last issue causing your pup to itch could be neurogenic, which is an issue most often seen in a dog suffering from separation anxiety or one who is not getting enough mental or physical stimulation.
To release boredom or nervous tension you may find your dog licks or chews at himself.
The area where this occurs can then develop sores, which ultimately become itchy.
What Should You Do For Your Itchy Dog? Although we have listed a number of causes of itching above, the best way to determine what the cause of the problem is to take your dog to the vet, especially if you have been keeping up a regular flea and parasite treatment program.
Your vet will be able to quickly identify the cause of the itching and recommend a solution to you that will help your dog recover to their full, happy and healthy selves.
Some of the treatments for itchy dogs can include a course of antibiotics and use of an antifungal cream to treat an infection, antihistamines and change of diet or environment to deal with an allergy and a flea treatment or other similar medication to treat fleas and parasites.
The Issues with Neurogenic Scratching Of all the causes of constant dog scratching, there is only really one which cannot be treated by using some kind of vet provided treatment or change to diet and routine and that is neurogenic scratching.
Because this issue is mental, you will need to learn why the dog feels the need to lick or chew on itself first.
So after you have been to the vet and ruled out the other causes of scratching, it may be time to address the fact your dog maybe developing these sores because he is nervous or anxious.
There are two steps to addressing this type of issue, the first is to solve the cause of the problem and the second is to address the resulting symptoms.
The primary cause is due to doggy boredom.
Just like humans your dog may develop a habit he or she does without even thinking.
For us this could be twirling our hair or cracking our fingers, but for your dog it may be chewing or licking or even scratching.
So first we need to resolve the cause, you will need to stimulate your dog to ensure he or she is not bored.
Take them for extra walks, play in the garden or park and work on those training commands.
To address the symptoms there are a number of options, first try spraying bitter apple or cayenne pepper where they lick if the skin is not broken from scratching.
Alternatively you can use a cone from the vet, similar to that which your dog may wear after an operation to stop them licking or chewing.
This should stop the sores from developing and therefore reduce the need for your dog to scratch at that area.
Finally, ensure that you talk to your vet as they will have a range of ideas for you and will suggest the best things for your dog.
Remember that the earlier you identify a scratching issue, the easier it will be to diagnose and treat.