Chewing and Skin Problems on a Cocker Spaniel

If you see your Cocker spaniel repeatedly scratching and chewing on itself, it probably has a skin problem. Some skin problems are localized rashes, which disappear when treated with a hot spot ointment, while others are more generalized and last longer. Itchy skin in Cocker spaniels can be caused by a variety of factors, but allergies and diet are the most likely.

  1. Environmental Allergies

    • Cocker spaniels enjoy playing outdoors with their human companions, but be careful -- your spaniel may have an allergic reaction to the pollens and dust particles in the air. If you dog's skin problems begin shortly after being exposed to the outdoors, it may be having an allergic reaction. There's nothing you can do to prevent environmental allergies, but if you can pin down what your dog is allergic to, you can keep it out of harm's way in the future.

    Fleas and Parasites

    • An itching, chewing cocker spaniel may suffer from fleas or other external parasites. Flea saliva contains a protein that most dogs have allergic reactions to. Check for fleas by looking at the base of your cocker spaniel's fur. Fleas show up dark against a cocker spaniel's blond fur, but sometimes they can be too fast to spot; look for flea droppings, too. If you find evidence of fleas on your Cocker spaniel, immediately get a flea and tick treatment from your vet and start giving your dog regular baths with a flea shampoo.

    Warts

    • Cocker spaniels can also suffer from warts, according to Cocker Spaniel Training. If you see your spaniel chewing at a specific area on its skin, check it for warts. These may be caused by Cocker spaniels' oily skin, and a Cocker spaniel may get up to 20 or 30 warts. Although warts start out small, they can grow very large and can cause pain to the dog. Warts must be treated with surgery, as they cannot be burned or frozen off.

    Allergies to Food

    • Many skin problems in dogs are cause by diet. According to the Organic Pet Digest, most mass-produced pet food contains ingredients such as wheat, soy, beef, chicken, corn and dairy. Dogs can be allergic to any or all of these ingredients, and it's best to feed them a food rich in protein and carbohydrates. You should also give your spaniel plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fish oil and flaxseed oil. Switch your Cocker spaniel's food gradually, over a period of about a month, to avoid stomach problems.