Itchy dog: causes and what helps
Itching is the most common reason owners go looking for a new shampoo. Before you buy anything, it is worth working out where it comes from, because shampoo solves only some of the cases.
The most common causes
- Parasites. Fleas and mites. One flea is enough for weeks of itching in an allergic dog. Check the base of the tail and the belly for black specks.
- Environmental allergies. Pollen, dust, grass. Seasonal itching on the paws, belly, armpits and ears is typical.
- Food allergies. Rarer, but year-round, often with ear and stomach problems.
- Dry skin. From frequent bathing, the wrong shampoo, dry winter air, a diet low in fats.
- Infections. Bacteria and yeast, usually as a secondary problem. Recognisable by smell, redness, greasy or sticky skin.
When to go straight to the vet
- An open, wet, hot wound that grows within hours (hot spot)
- Hair loss in patches
- A strong smell that comes back days after a bath
- Itching that wakes the dog at night or lasts more than two weeks
What you can do at home
- Rule out parasites. Regular flea and tick protection all year, not just in summer.
- Switch to the mildest shampoo you can find. No fragrance, no silicones, dog-skin pH. Rinse twice as long as feels necessary.
- For seasonal allergies, wash more often, not less. A bath with a mild shampoo, or just rinsing the paws and belly after a walk, removes pollen from the skin.
- Support the barrier. Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet (fish oil) are one of the few things with good evidence for skin. Discuss the dose with your vet.
- Keep notes. When the dog scratches, where, after what. That is the most useful thing you can bring to the vet.
General care information, not veterinary advice. Cosmetics do not treat allergies or infections.
