Itchy Skin & Eyes in Labradors

Labradors are the most popular breed of dog in the United States. They are amiable, adaptable and smart. They love to swim and play outside. But like any dog, they are susceptible to health problems. Itchy skin and eyes in Labradors is a common problem. Allergies are by far the most common cause. Sometimes, it's caused by environmental factors, but other times it can be a parasite or household product.

  1. Environmental Allergies

    • Labradors love to play outside. All this outdoor activity can expose the dog to a number of pollens and particles that can cause allergic reactions. If your dog is scratching her skin and eyes, she might be having an allergic reaction. There's nothing you can do to prevent these reactions, but if you are able to isolate the cause of the reaction, you can take steps to possibly to eliminate it.

    Fleas

    • Fleas and other parasites love to feast on dogs. The reason flea bites cause itching is because flea saliva has a protein in it that most dogs are allergic to. Fleas are easy to get rid of once you know they're there. Check your dog for fleas by inspecting the base of its fur. Fleas can be difficult to spot due to their speed, so look also for fleas droppings. If you've confirmed that your dog has fleas, give it regular baths with flea shampoo and groom it often. You can also get stronger flea treatments at pet stores, but take care. These stronger medicines may irritate your dog's skin.

    Household Cleaners

    • It's easy to pin the cause of your dog's itchy skin and eyes on outside factors, but don't forget that there are many things inside your home that could be irritating your dog. Floor and carpet cleaners, laundry soap or even your dog shampoo could be causing a reaction in your dog. Pay attention to what your dog is exposed to, and try to keep its surroundings as natural as possible. You wouldn't expose your own skin to some of the cleaners found in most houses, so take care that your dog isn't exposed to them either.

    Food Allergies

    • Don't rule out the possibility that your dog may be allergic to the food it eats. According to the Organic Pet Digest, dogs are most likely to be allergic to wheat, soy, beef, chicken, corn and dairy. At least one of these ingredients can be found in most mass-produced pet food. The only way to determine whether your dog is allergic is by a trial-and-error process through which you stop feeding the dog its regular food and give it only food it's never eaten before, preferably a protein and a carbohydrate.