Here's What You Need To Know If Your Dog Is Scratching More Than Usual

Here's What You Need To Know If Your Dog Is Scratching More Than Usual

Itchiness is normal – but if your dog is scratching more than usual, it’s time for a closer look. And unfortunately, there’s a lot of reasons behind why they would get itchy.

What’s Causing That Itch?

Here are some possibilities:

  • Hot spots
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Allergies (Sources can be seasonal, environmental, or food-based)
  • Skin infections
  • Mange
  • Ringworms
  • Reactions to grooming products
  • Hormones
  • Stress
  • Fleas (These can cause allergic reactions as well, on top of their itchy bites)

Other possibilities include nutritional problems or unseen health issues. The possible reasons, unfortunately, are endless.

What Can I Do?

1. Check For Recent Changes

Has there been a change in diet? Grooming products? New environment? Going back on these changes might eliminate any possible causes.

2. Examine Your Pet

Fleas, ticks, and similar parasites will cause plenty of itching. Alternatively, the itching may be caused by some kind of fungus, skin infection or wound.

3. Take Them To The Vet

At the end of the day, your vet will know what to do best. Thanks to their training, they may be able to catch problems that you were unable to see and will know what is the best course of action to take.

What Else Can My Vet Do?

Your vet might run some blood tests or skin biopsies in order to safely eliminate a large number of possibilities. Check with your insurance provider to see if you’re covered.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay

Back to blog