Conspicuously frequent itching in dogs can be related to allergies, intolerances, or parasite infestation. Itching as an allergic reaction is very unpleasant for dogs and can severely limit their quality of life. In this article, you will learn more about the many causes of itching in dogs.
Itching in dogs: how much scratching is normal?
It is normal for dogs to scratch their fur. It can be related to shedding, a leap of faith to a stressful situation, or simply because a leaf or branch is caught in the fur. But if your dog scratches itself day and night and maybe even always in the same place, then something is wrong. Then you should take a closer look at your dog and investigate what could be the cause. Reddening of the skin, pustules or, for example, an unpleasant smell from the ears can be indications of an allergy or parasite infestation.
But also frequent nibbling on paws and skin, licking the fur, shaking the head or slipping the buttocks indicate an itch in the dog. If the dog has already scratched itself, the highest alert level is required and the trip to the vet is unavoidable. Because now parasites, bacteria and germs have an easy time getting into the dog’s body. The result is inflammation and infection. The actual cause of the itching then becomes more and more difficult to find out.
Primary and secondary itching
In veterinary medicine, a distinction is made between two causes of itching. On the one hand there is the primary itching, where there is an itching at first and as a result the skin changes. In the case of secondary itching, the skin change is there first and only then does itching develop in the dog.
You should therefore keep a close eye on your dog if it scratches repeatedly. In this way, possible causes can be identified more quickly during a later diagnosis by the veterinarian.
What helps against itching in dogs?
There is no general answer to this, as itching can have many causes. A diagnosis from the veterinarian provides information about a helpful treatment method.
Diagnosis & causes of itching in dogs
Constant itching is a symptom that something is wrong and not the actual disease. The cause of an itch can be varied. If it’s not an obvious external parasite infestation such as fleas, lice, ticks, biting lice or mites, finding it can be like the proverbial looking for a needle in a haystack. Causes of itching can be:
- Allergies caused by food, medication, environmental influences, etc.
- Parasite infestation from outside (ectoparasites) by fleas, lice, mites, biting lice, ticks, etc.
- Parasitic infestation from the inside (endoparasites) by worms in the intestine
- Skin infections caused by fungi or bacteria
- Skin disease caused by parasites, improper care, etc.
metabolic disease such as diabetes - Autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis
coat change - Skipping action due to stress in dogs
What food for itchy dogs?
If the dog has a food allergy, a feeding plan with elimination procedures must be put together by a veterinarian or animal nutrition expert.
Mites
Mite infestation is one of the most common causes of itching and skin problems in a healthy dog. Whether fur, skin or ears, these parasites settle everywhere. If the dog is commanded by ear mites, the scratching of the ears is accompanied by a constant shaking of the head and an unpleasant smell from the ear. The four typical types of mites that affect dogs:
- Predatory mites (cheyletia)
- Mange mites (Sarcoptes)
- Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis)
- Autumn grass mites (Trombicula autumnalis)
Mites also pose a high risk of infection for humans. The predatory mite can cause scabies in humans. The mange mite can also trigger the so-called pseudo scabies. Autumn grass mites also bite people. However, transmission of the larvae to humans is not to be feared. Ear mites in dogs are not contagious to humans.
Intestinal worms also cause itching
In the case of a worm infestation in the intestinal area, the dog also gets itchy. The animal then slides its buttocks on the floor. This is also called sledding. These types of worms include:
- Roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides)
- Hookworms (Ancylostomatidae)
- Whipworms (Trichuris trichiura)
- Tapeworms (Eucestoda)
Allergies – An increasingly common reason for itching in dogs
Unfortunately, like humans, allergies are becoming more and more common in dogs. They can trigger a very severe itching, which can lead to a massive impairment of the dog’s quality of life.
- Flea saliva allergy: In addition to the flea bite, flea saliva can also cause very unpleasant and severe itching.
- Atopy: Allergens found in the dog’s environment. These include, for example, dust, pollen, grass or mold. They can also be the cause of severe itching in dogs.
- Food allergy: Whether industrially produced wet food from a can, dry food, semi-moist food or fresh meat according to the BARF method, some proteins in meat or carbohydrate sources in the diet can cause allergies.
- Contact allergy: Allergens can be found, for example, in cleaning agents, care products, softeners in plastic baskets or waterproofing spray on the sofa. Anything the dog comes into physical contact with triggers an allergic reaction at the point of contact.
Certain dog breeds such as the French Bulldog, Pug, English Bulldog, German Shepherd, Labrador, Shar Pei or Boxer are more prone to developing food allergies. The causes are often ingredients in industrially produced feed, such as certain protein sources from types of meat or carbohydrate sources from types of grain.
Diagnosis – The anamnesis interview at the veterinarian
As with any visit to the vet, an anamnesis interview is also conducted in the event of itching. The veterinarian will ask specific questions. Also after a possible history that could explain the itching. These can be:
- Where exactly is the itching in the dog?
- Is the itch noticed specifically at a certain time of the year?
- Are other animals or people around the dog affected by the itching?
- Do the parents or littermates also often get itchy?
- In the case of skin changes, the question must be asked what came first – itching or skin changes?
If the veterinarian has known the dog for a long time, pre-existing conditions are usually known, which may allow conclusions to be drawn about the itching. Once a comprehensive anamnesis has been taken, the diagnosis is usually started. Skin problems and itching go hand in hand and can only be solved together.
The five most common diagnostic methods for itching
In order to find out what causes the itching in dogs, various methods are used for diagnosis. These are the most common diagnostic methods used by veterinarians:
The easiest way is usually the detection of parasites such as ticks, fleas, lice, mites or biting lice. These causes of constant scratching can be detected with the naked eye, a flea comb or under the microscope. If the worm infestation is very advanced, you can already see the mostly white worms in the faeces.
Microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites can be detected with laboratory tests such as the cytological method or an antibiogram.
Veterinarians often use ultraviolet light, also known as black light, to detect skin fungus. Dermatophyte PCR tests can be used to detect dermatophytes, filamentous fungi that can cause skin changes in animals, such as mange in dogs.
A blood test is done if secondary itching is suspected. Hormonal changes are often the cause. Therefore, an examination of the thyroid values in the laboratory test of the blood values is also recommended.
In order to diagnose a suspected contact allergy, such as cleaning or care products, you have to remove the presumably triggering substance or substance from the dog’s environment. In the case of a feed allergy, a time-consuming exclusion diagnosis is usually necessary.
Which home remedies help against itching in dogs?
To give the dog temporary relief, you can put compresses with squeezed tea bags made of cold black tea or chamomile tea on the scratched area. Poultices with cottage cheese, marigold ointment or aloe vera can also help. It doesn’t get rid of the itching.
Treatment – What helps against itching in dogs?
If your dog is plagued by an itch and you find that it won’t stop, you must of course go to the vet or call an online vet to find out the cause. These can be very different, as you now know.
Are there any home remedies for relieving itching?
Of course, there is no general answer to this, since the causes of itching are very diverse. In order to give your dog a short relief from acute itching, you could try to put a compress with squeezed tea bags made of cold black tea or chamomile tea on the scratched areas. Poultices with cottage cheese, marigold ointment or aloe vera can also help.
Veterinary treatment for itching in dogs
To help your dog get rid of the itching as quickly as possible, you should go to your veterinarian. If necessary, you can quickly determine the cause there and tackle the itching with the right remedies. It does not always have to be the same strong medication that is prescribed for you there. There are also a number of medicated shampoos, lotions, or sprays that work well to relieve itching.
In the case of parasite infestation or infections, stronger drugs usually have to be administered. If itching is caused by a food allergy, an exclusion therapy plan must be drawn up together with the veterinarian. This is often a detective work, after the cause.
Sometimes, unfortunately, stronger drugs such as cortisone have to be administered or antibiotics used, as in the case of bacterial skin infections.
How to prevent itching
A good prerequisite for avoiding itching is a clean environment that is as chemical and plastic-free as possible and high-quality food for the dog. But ultimately there are many different causes of itching in dogs. A blanket prevention is not possible.
Preventive measures against frequent itching in dogs
Since there can be many different causes of skin problems and itching, one cannot generally recommend one golden preventive measure. However, it is important that your dog receives regular grooming. The coat should be brushed at least once or twice a week. You should only bathe or shower your dog if absolutely necessary, so that the skin’s own protection is not destroyed.
The ears should also be included in the regular care program. Ear mites in dogs are often easy to spot, even as a layperson. In the case of an infestation, the ears are very dirty on the inside and also smell unpleasant. Treated quickly, you may be able to prevent a larger infestation in time.
When it comes to industrially manufactured dog food, you should make sure that you buy high-quality products. With a high meat content of at least 70% and as little or no preservatives, attractants or colorings as possible. When it comes to meat, less is more. Better stick to one or two kinds of meat. Because if your dog ever gets a food allergy, you still have the option of using other varieties such as horse, ostrich or buffalo.
In order to reduce the risk of contact-related allergies, make sure your dog has a clean environment that is as free of chemicals and plastic as possible. It is better to wipe your floors with natural cleaning agents such as soft soap and always clean the feeding and drinking bowls with enough clear water. A plastic basket is helpful to reduce parasite infestation in the basket. But the plasticizers that are contained in every plastic product can also cause itching and allergies. Of course, this also applies to drinking and feeding bowls. Ceramic or steel bowls are better.
Conclusion
If you notice that your dog scratches conspicuously often or shakes its ears, there is an unnatural itching. The sooner it is treated, the more comfortable your dog will feel and have a better quality of life again.
