There are many reasons that a dog's skin becomes itchy, leading to excessive scratching. Scratching can lead to hair loss, red, irritated skin, open sores and even more itching. It is an annoying behavior to humans, but for the dog, it can become obsessive and painful. Dog owners should pay attention to their dog's scratching and take steps to stop it before it becomes excessive.
Things You'll Need
- Veterinarian
- Neck cone
- Grooming supplies (flea shampoo if necessary)
- Flea erradication medication (optional)
- New dog food (optional)
Instructions
Instructions
Take the dog to the veterinarian. Once scratching moves beyond the normal occasional itch, a dog owner should take their pet to see its veterinarian. A vet can help determine the cause of the itching and give the owner instructions on how to stop it. The pet owner should be prepared to tell the vet about the dog's home environment, including its food, outdoor areas, activities and medical history. The veterinarian will also examine the dog physically to help him make a diagnosis.
Determine the cause of the itching. There are six general reasons why a dog could be scratching. They are environmental, nutritional, parasitic, allergic, neurogenic and infectious. Environmental causes include excessive moisture on the skin, small cuts or scratches and matted hair. Nutritional causes are determined by the dog's food and what kind of "people" food it consumes, if any. Some dogs react poorly to inexpensive dog foods that are low in nutrition. Parasitic causes most commonly include fleas, ticks and mites. Allergic reactions can be difficult to diagnose in dogs, but may be the cause of itching. Infectious causes of itching usually occur when a dog has a lesion that will not heal. A neurogenic diagnosis means the dog has an impulsive and obsessive urge to lick and scratch itself.
Take action to stop the itching based on the cause. When the vet makes a diagnosis, the owner can make an informed decision on what will work for the dog. One common cause of itching is parasitic. Owners can rid their dog of fleas by bathing the pet, using a flea "bomb" in the house or using a prescribed flea product from the vet. Another common cause of itching is environmental. Owners can help their dog with proper grooming and getting rid of matted hair. If a dog is reacting to its diet, trying new, more nutritional foods should help. For other less common causes, owners should work with their vet to create a plan of action to stop the dog's itching and scratching.
Keep the dog from scratching raw or irritated areas. While a dog's irritated skin is healing, the owner should stop the dog from licking and scratching the hot spots. A neck cone keeps the dog from licking wounds on its body. A bandage can help protect skin, but the dog might try to remove it. Also, some open sores should not be covered so they can dry out and heal. Owners can ask the vet for suggestions based on their dog's irritated areas.