Ditch The Itching That Your Pet Suffers: A Complete Solution To Dog Itching

Do you often notice your dog scratching and licking around a lot? Or, is he or she having dry skin and shedding a lot? As a pet owner, it is normal for you to be worried about this habit. Of course, compulsively scratching, biting, licking or itching a lot does have considerable negative aspects- it can cause dandruff, skin rashes, spread infections and can even lead to wounds.

It is not really a whole unusual thing for the four-legged guys to scratch around their body sometimes. But then, that is what it should be- sometimes; as stated earlier regular itching and scratching can be harmful. If your dog is picking up a habit of scratching and you are being worried, here is something to help you out. Read on this guide that can help you figure out the right solution for dealing with itching in dogs.

Causes Of Dog Itching:

There are just several things that can be the roots of your dog developing itching habits. The notable reasons for a dog developing itching are given below.

• Allergies:

Allergies are one common cause of itching in dogs. Allergies in dogs can be caused by various reasons. Sometimes, allergy can be common to a whole breed, while some allergies can be in the individual case. An example of allergy is skin-irritation and itching resulting from external contact with pesticides.

• Nutritional Allergies:

Just as in the case of human beings, dogs too can develop food allergies. Some food or food ingredient may not be suitable for one breed while it may be acceptable for others. It is thus recommended to offer allergy-tested food products to your pet and also to carefully consider the ingredients.

• Boredom or Anxiety:

Have you noticed some people biting nails or scratching heads or knuckling when they are bored or anxious? The same can be with our four-legged buddies. Sometimes, it is their boredom or anxiety that is causing them to scratch or lick around.

• Dry Skin:

Dogs may lick or even scratch to ease the discomfort caused by dry skin. Itching dry skin can be noted since it often leads to dandruff or quick marks. It can be seasonal, depending upon the dry skin cause- cold weather often causes dry skin. Some other causes of dry skin include dehydration, lack of fats and other required supplements, etc.

• Hormonal Imbalances:

Sometimes, hormonal imbalances can lead to skin infection and irritations, which can cause compulsive scratching, chewing and licking in dogs.

• Pain:

Sometimes, it is internal (muscular) or external pain that causes dogs to lick, chew or scratch on a particular body area. Doing so might give them temporary relief.

• Parasites:

Very obviously, parasites and insects are common reasons for itching in dogs. Fleas, ticks, and mites are some of the most common of them. Close attention might have to be paid in case of ticks and mites since they aren’t easily noticeable. Some of the reliable products you can use to keep the fleas and ticks away from your precious puppy are given in later sections.

Dog Skin Diseases and Infection:

Just as in case of dry skin and skin allergies, skin diseases and skin infections can leave dogs feeling uncomfortable. So, trying to get some relief, they make pick-up the habit of scratching their body or licking.

Remedies For Itching In Dogs:

Given below are some of the approaches you can consider for dealing with your pet’s itching issues.

Medications for itching in Dogs:

One of the obvious remedies for compulsive itching in dogs is itching medications for dogs. Your vet can suggest you the right medications and their dosages after diagnosis and on the basis of the cause of itching (infection or allergy or parasites etc.) You can find most of the popular and safe itching medication for dogs on Marshallpetzone.com

Eliminating Parasites:

Fleas, ticks and other insects have a major role to play in some pet skin diseases. It is critically important for you to keep a check on these as these may get ignored easily until they are largely infested. You may want to consult your dog for flea and tick medications suitable for your puppy.

You can check out the bug-free pet clothes on Marshalls PetZone. These pet apparels are specifically designed for preventing fleas and ticks from entering the bodies of your pets while they play outside.

Also, there are shampoos, powders, sprays and collars available on Marshallspetzone.com that can help you get rid of the fleas and ticks.  Some of the products popular with pet owners include Himalaya Erina Ep Powder and shampoo , Flickout Soap for Dogs , Fiprofort Flea & Tick Spray,  Bayer Kiltix Collar For Flea And Ticks etc. Read our article on flea and tick prevention for further information.

Addressing Boredom Or Anxiety:

If you believe or find out that boredom or anxiety is the root of the scratching habits developing in your dog, then you certainly need to address it. No matter how busy you are, try to get some time for playing with your pup (or else have someone play with him), exercising him and showing that you adore him. You might want to note that dogs do seek attention and giving them adequate attention can prevent such habits from growing.

Changing Food:

As discussed earlier, the reason for itching or allergies in some cases can be food. So if you think a particular pet food or a particular food brand is not really suiting your dog, try changing the brand or food. You may also want to consult your vet for discussing the scenario and for further advice.

Trying To Prevent The Habit:

You, by now, know that scratching, licking and chewing compulsively can certainly be harmful to your pets. So, you need to put forth the best efforts you can so as to prevent this from becoming a habit of your pet. There are a few things you can do so as to prevent the situation from becoming worse.

• Make sure you keep your puppy (who is undergoing such issues) by your side or close to you so you can notice and stop him whenever he is starting to lick, chew or bite the itchy spots.
• You can play with your dog often (if possible) to keep him distracted from the whole scratchy thing- a good thing is puppies can easily be distracted!
• You can give a try on bitter sprays for keeping the pup from licking and chewing on the itchy spots.
• There are even particular collars designed for the purpose of preventing puppies from reaching the itchy regions.

Some Dog Breeds That Are Frequently Affected

Genetic factors and physique of particular dog breeds can have a role to play in scratching. So, we can safely say some breeds are more prone to itching and allergies than others. For example, the breeds with several skin folds as in case of pugs, Boxers and Bulldogs, the dogs with hairy or floppy ears as in case of poodles, retrievers, hounds, etc. tend to be itchier. Also, the breed’s temperament matters. Generally, the calmer breeds won’t have much anxiety issue and may not have resultant scratching issues. On the other hand, the breeds that exhibit more anxious might be more prone to related scratching habits.

When Should You Consult A Doctor

As mentioned earlier some degree of scratching is normal for most pets. However, you should notice if the scratching gets into a regular habit. As soon as you feel the scratching, licking or chewing habit is exceeding an acceptable or normal level you should try finding the reason for the same. If fleas and ticks or boredom or skin dryness is causing the scratching issues, then you can attempt remedies at home. However, if you feel the situation is getting out of control you can consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Pet Food Brands For Healthy Skin And Shiny Coat:

Royal Canin, N&D Low Grain, etc. are some of the most reliable pet food brands for ensuring your pet gets a healthy skin. These pet food brands have particular attention on supplying adequate nutrients and ensuring an all-inclusive meal for your pet. Also, they contain all the necessary vitamins and supplements for keeping their coat shiny and skin healthy. Moreover, these brands are allergy tested as well. You can check out and fetch the most healthy food products for your pet on Marshalls Pet Zone

Products Or Medication For Preventing Further Infections:

Himalaya Furglow Oral Coat Conditioner: The product is relied on for a shiny coat and for preventing shedding.

Beaphar Salmon Oil Supplement: The product being rich in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, Salmon oil, and cod liver oil, it would help in keeping the skin of your pup healthy. It is also good for joints, heart, and overall energy level.

Himalaya Erina Ep Powder and Shampoo: used at large for keeping fleas and ticks away, you can use this for preventing flea or tick-related infections, itching and related issues.

Author:

Ganga K Kurup

An experienced and professional writer, working to search, create and present most appropriate content and information to those in need. Quite in love with animals and every creation of nature and exceptionally happy to share whatever knowledge I gained from my love and curiosity for the same. I believe in working to make the world a better place to live- not just for the human, but also for all the beings with whom we share this planet.