What are the Causes of Dogs Scratching?

Dogs scratch for a lot of reasons including allergies, infections, behavioral issues, cancer and mange. They may just have dry skin or their diet may need to be adjusted The scratching may be accompanied by pulling on his hair and licking his hair and skin. Corrective methods include medication, or just simple hygiene changes.

  1. Anxiety or Boredom

    • When a dog is anxious or bored he will lick himself, which can lead to self-trauma. This is referred to as acral lick dermatitis. The licking helps him relieve stress but can damage his skin and hair. He may need to wear an Elizabethan collar, which prevents him from scratching and licking, and he may need some anxiety medication, which helps him modify his behavior.

    Mites

    • If your dog has ear mites, this will result in rampant itching and scratching of the ears. There will be a crumbly, dark discharge from the ear and the inside of the ear turns red. Clean his ears and apply medicine that contains ear miticide, or pyrethrin.

    Ringworm

    • Ringworm causes a dog to itch, which results in scratching. He will lose his hair and scaly, crusty areas and vesicles and pustules will appear on his skin. Sometimes kerions develop, which are draining nodules. He will need to be dipped in sulfur and given oral medications.

    Allergies

    • Your dog may be having an allergic reaction to something such as poison ivy, wool, rubber or plastic. He may also be allergic to metals, chemicals such as carpet deodorizer or dyes, or to an antibiotic that has been applied to his skin. You will see small red blisters or bump on his skin. He will lose his hair because of chronic scratching when he has an allergic reaction. Your dog needs an antihistamine and possibly a treatment of steroids. Remove the dog from environmental allergens that are causing the problem.

    Kidney Failure

    • When a dog suffers from kidney failure, tumors or granulomas this causes the skin to mineralize and he will scratch and ferociously. Hard papules and nodules appear on his back and groin. They ulcerate, drain and then develop crusts and can become infected because of the scratching. If your dog has a tumor it should be removed or treated with a medication. If the dog is taking large amounts of steroids because he has Cushing's disease, the dosage should be lowered.

    Other Considerations

    • Dogs scratch when they are infested with fleas or have ticks or lice. Parasites such as scabies or cheyletiellosis -- walking dandruff -- cause scratching, as do airborne allergens, which can cause hay fever. Perhaps your canine is allergic to something he ate, which is causing him to scratch. He may have a yeast infection or some other kind of fungal infection. When a dog has cancer, liver disease or immune system issues, this can cause itching.