The Reasons Behind Dog Itching and How to Help

Pruritus, more commonly known as itching, is a common problem in dogs that can cause considerable discomfort, leading to excessive scratching, licking, and biting of their skin. This condition can be caused by various factors, ranging from environmental allergies to skin infections. As a veterinarian, it is essential to determine the underlying cause of the itching to provide the most effective treatment. 

Common Causes of Itching

Allergy-Related Itching

An allergic reaction is one of the dogs’ most common reasons for itching. These reactions can be caused by environmental allergens such as pollen or dust and certain foods or medications. Dogs may also experience seasonal allergies due to changes in weather or temperature. Symptoms often include redness, swelling, and excessive itching of the skin. Treatment typically involves identifying and avoiding the allergen whenever possible and providing medications to reduce inflammation and symptoms. 

Infections/Parasites

Infections such as ringworm or mange can also cause itching in dogs. These conditions are caused by tiny parasites that live on the skin’s surface and feed off its oils and proteins. Symptoms may include redness, swelling, and patches of hair loss on the dog’s body. Treatment usually involves medicated shampoos or topical ointments to kill the parasites and reduce symptoms. 

Dry Skin

Dry skin is another common cause of itching that can be due to various factors, including poor nutrition, lack of moisture in the environment, or certain medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease. Symptoms may include excessive shedding and dry patches on their skin. Treatment typically involves:

• Providing a high-quality diet with essential fatty acids and supplements.
• Increasing humidity in their environment.
• Providing medications if needed.

Hormonal Imbalance

An imbalance in hormones can sometimes lead to itching in dogs. This is especially true for female dogs who are going through a heat cycle or have recently been spayed/neutered. The hormonal imbalance can increase oil production levels on the skin, leading to irritation and itching. Treatment often requires hormone replacement therapy or medications such as antihistamines or corticosteroids if needed. 

Stress/Anxiety

Stress or anxiety can also cause itching in some dogs due to increased cortisol levels, which causes an increase in oil production on the skin, leading to irritation and itching. Treatment typically involves reducing stress levels through exercise, mental stimulation activities such as puzzle toys, and managing any other underlying medical conditions that may be causing stress, such as pain from arthritis or digestive issues, such as diarrhea/vomiting. 

Diagnosis & Treatment

To properly diagnose pruritus (itching), your veterinarian needs to obtain a thorough history, including any changes in the environment (i.e., new foods/medications), recent travel, etc., perform a physical examination looking for signs of infection/parasites, etc., do blood work looking for any underlying medical conditions such as thyroid disease, etc., collect samples from any lesions/patches on their skin for further testing if needed and possibly do food trials if allergies are suspected as being a potential cause of their condition. Once a diagnosis has been made, treatment will depend on the specific cause. Still, it could include medications such as antihistamines, steroids, topical ointment shampoos, dietary changes, allergy testing if necessary, desensitization injections if environmental allergies are identified, and hormone replacement therapy if hormonal imbalances are determined, etc. 

Prevention & Care at Home

You can take steps home to help prevent your dog from developing pruritus (itching). These include: feeding them a high-quality diet with essential fatty acids; limiting exposure to potential allergens; making sure they get plenty of exercises; providing mental stimulation activities; grooming regularly with shampoo specifically designed for dogs; increasing humidity levels in their environment; monitoring closely for any signs of infection/parasites; keeping up with vaccinations; reducing stress levels; making sure they stay hydrated; providing flea control medication regularly; keeping bedding clean; periodically checking for any signs of injury that could become infected; avoiding baths too frequently; providing regular check-ups with your veterinarian; consulting with your veterinarian about any new foods/medications before giving them etc. 

Conclusion

Pruritus (itching) is a common problem among dogs that can be caused by many factors ranging from environmental allergies to infections/parasites, even hormonal imbalances, or stress-related issues. As a veterinarian, it is crucial to obtain a thorough history, perform necessary tests, diagnose accordingly, and provide appropriate treatments either at home or through medications prescribed by your veterinarian, depending on what specific cause has been determined for your dog’s condition. Additionally, steps you can take at home will help prevent your dog from developing pruritus (itching) altogether. Please consult your veterinarian if you have questions about your pet’s condition.