Why Is My Dog Scratching So Much?

Seeing your dog scratch constantly can be frustrating – it can even be a little scary. Fortunately, most causes of canine itchiness are treatable. But to help your pooch feel better, you need to identify the reason for the itching.

There are a ton of potential causes to consider, so I’ll try to help you narrow down the possibilities below!

Six Potential Reasons Your Dog Is Scratching So Much

While there are a ton of reasons your dog may be scratching constantly, there are a few causes that are especially common. So, start by considering the following six causes of itchy skin. 

1. Allergies

Dogs can suffer from allergies just like people can, and some allergies manifest as super-itchy skin. Most canine allergies can be grouped into one of three primary categories:

•     Food Allergies: While food allergies in people often cause things like breathing difficulties or facial swelling, they often cause dogs to experience very itchy skin. Dogs can be allergic to just about any protein in their food (including the proteins in fruits or vegetables), but a few of the most common triggers include beef, dairy, chicken, wheat, corn, and soy. However, it is important to note that food allergies are not nearly as common as many pet parents think – environmental allergies are far more common.
•     Environmental Allergies: Whereas food allergies are triggered by things a dog eats, environmental allergies are caused by the things in your dog’s environment. They’re quite similar to the pollen or dust allergies many people experience, except that instead of watering eyes and running noses, many dogs get itchy skin when exposed to environmental allergens. In addition to pollen and dust, things like mold and smoke can also trigger environmental allergies in dogs.  
•     Contact Dermatitis: Contact dermatitis occurs when a dog’s body experiences an allergic reaction to something they’re touching. For example, your dog may be allergic to the fabric (or chemicals used to treat the fabric) in a leash or collar. Unlike food allergies and environmental allergies, which cause generalized, widespread itchiness, contact dermatitis usually causes dogs to be itchy in discrete places.  

2. Parasites

Blood-sucking parasites are a very common cause of itchy skin. Fleas are the most common culprit, but mosquitoes, mites, and ticks can also cause irritation that leads to scratching. Fortunately, these kinds of external parasites are usually pretty easy to prevent and treat with over-the-counter products.

It is important to note that some dogs develop an allergy to repeated flea bites. Called flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), this condition can cause dogs to suffer incredible itchiness or even lose their hair. This further illustrates the importance of implementing a good parasite-prevention plan.  

3. Mental Health Problems

Believe it or not, mental health can play a big role in your dog’s itchiness. Everyday stress, separation anxiety, noise sensitivity, and even boredom can all trigger excessive scratching — especially when your dog doesn’t have healthy outlets for their energy or emotions.

To help dogs suffering from these kinds of issues, you’ll need to treat the root cause of the anxiety or provide more enrichment opportunities to combat boredom.

4. Autoimmune Diseases

A variety of autoimmune diseases can cause dogs to suffer from extremely itchy skin. Pemphigus foliaceus is likely the most common autoimmune disease to affect dogs, but there are others, including pemphigus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, and bullous pemphigoid.

Some of these conditions tend to occur most commonly in specific breeds, such as pemphigus erythematosus, which is common in German shepherds. But others can afflict dogs of any breed. Most of these conditions can be treated with immunosuppressant medications, but antibacterial medications may also be needed to address the skin infections often associated with these diseases.

5. Infections

Speaking of infections, they’re another common cause of itchy skin in canines. Skin infections are usually caused by either a bacterial pathogen, such as Staphylococcus, or a fungus, such as ringworm or yeast. Both kinds are relatively easy to treat with the appropriate medications, but you’ll need your vet’s help to identify the causal organism and prescribe the proper medicine.

Just note that while most skin infections are relatively mild, they can become quite serious if left untreated. So, be sure to seek veterinary attention if you’re concerned that your dog is suffering from any kind of skin infection – regardless of the cause.

6. Dry Skin

Dry skin is yet another thing that can make your dog scratch obsessively. But unfortunately, there are a litany of potential causes for dry skin, ranging from nutritional imbalances to hormonal conditions to excessive bathing. Even dry winter air can be enough to dry out your dog’s skin and trigger long-lasting scratching sessions.

You may be able to try a few DIY treatments for your dog’s dry skin, such as providing an omega-3 supplement or using a room humidifier. But if these don’t work quickly, you’ll want to work with your vet to determine the cause and implement a treatment strategy.

Home Remedies vs Veterinary Care: Determining the Best Course of Action

Pet parents are often unclear about when they can use home remedies to treat their dog’s itchy skin and when they require treatment from a vet. Ultimately, you have to rely on your own personal judgment and try to act in your dog’s best interest. But here are a few tips that may help you decide the best course of action:

•     If your dog’s skin is bleeding or exuding any kind of discharge, you’ll want your vet’s help in treating the problem. Open wounds like this can quickly become infected, which will cause further damage to your dog’s skin.
•     If your dog’s itchy skin occurs alongside other physical problems (especially any difficulty breathing or swallowing), you’ll want to get veterinary help immediately before your pet’s condition worsens. Some of these symptoms may indicate a severe allergic reaction, which may even put your dog’s life in danger.
•     If your dog has always had itchy skin, and your vet has examined them several times over the years without growing concerned about the itchiness, you can likely just try to help your dog feel better on your own. You may want to experiment with alternative foods or by trying a soothing dog shampoo (just be sure to avoid bathing your pet too frequently).
•     If the itching is relatively mild and you can see fleas, you may want to try using a flea-treatment product first. But if that doesn’t get the fleas under control, you’ll want to get to your vet as soon as possible.
•     If the itching has started after providing your dog with a new leash, harness, or garment, and it seems limited to the areas that are in contact with the new item, you can try just removing it and giving your dog a day or two to recover. But seek veterinary care if the itching doesn’t stop within about 48 hours or your dog’s skin looks inflamed.
•     If your dog tends to get itchy at a particular time each year, it’s likely an environmental allergy. You’ll still want to contact your vet if the itching is serious, but if it is relatively mild, you may simply try bathing your dog and keeping them inside more for the next week or two, until the offending pollen has stopped being so prevalent.

What to Expect at the Vet

If you do find yourself trying to get your dog some itch relief from your veterinarian, they may do a few of the following things:

• Examine your pet for other symptoms or ailments, such as ear infections.
• Collect samples by taking skin scrapings.
• Carefully examining your dog’s coat for signs of fleas or other parasites.
• Conducting allergy testing to identify potential triggers.
• Rule out potentially contagious problems, such as sarcoptic mange.

After investigating the problem, the vet will likely outline some potential treatment options. With a bit of luck and the help of a good veterinarian, your furry friend will likely get some itch relief and start feeling better!

Training & Enrichment May Help Stop Your Dog’s Scratching

Training and enrichment obviously won’t help with some cases of canine itchiness, such as fleas or skin infections. But if your dog’s scratching issue is rooted in an emotional or behavioral problem, it is quite possible that I can help.

Head on over to my contact page now and tell me about your pup. I’ll be happy to lay out a recommended training or pack-walking plan that may help your woofer feel better.