Dog Itchy Skin - Causes and Cures

At some point in time every dog owner is going to have to deal with dog itchy skin. We’re not talking about the casual scratch here. We’re talking serious skin irritation with scratching and biting all of the time. Your poor pooch is suffering with really itchy skin and it’s your job to help him out.   

There are a number of things that you can do to relieve dry itchy skin and we’ll give you that list in a minute but the relief is temporary because you are treating a symptom and not the cause..  What you need to do is find the underlying cause of the itching and there are any number of possibilities.  Some of these causes can be diagnosed at home and some are going to require a trip to the veterinarian because they are difficult to pinpoint. 

Most common causes of dog itchy skin include: 

·       Allergies

·       Poor nutrition  

·       Mange  

·       Fleas  

·       Over bathing  

·       Anxiety  

Just like humans, dogs can have allergic reactions to almost anything they come in contact with.  If you notice that the itching comes on at the same time of year, year after year then it could simply be pollen.  If the itching just comes on with no ready explanation then think about what’s new in the dog’s environment.  Did you wash his bedding with a new detergent?  Did you use a new shampoo the last time you gave him a bath?  Was your carpet recently steamed clean?  Did you put down fertilizer or weed killer on the lawn?  

Figuring out just what the pooch is allergic to is a game of trial and error.  There are vets who specialize in dog dermatology but they cost a fortune. 

Food allergies account for about 20% of all allergies in dogs.  If you are feeding your dog a discount pet food you want to check out the ingredients and see just what Fido is getting.  Many low end dog foods are low in nutrition and high in filler. You want to see that there is a Vitamin E supplement and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids (fish oil) which not only help stop the itching but aid the immune system as well.  Compare the ingredients of your dog food with a premium brand like Iams and consider testing the higher priced food. 

Mange is caused by mites and while there are tell tale signs, the only way to be sure it’s mange is to have a vet do a scrapping and testing it. Mites are not visible to the naked eye and the only way you can confirm their presence is under a microscope during a skin test. Mange can lead to other serious dog health problems and needs to be treated as soon as it is suspected.  Also it is extremely contagious and if you have other pets you will need to treat them as well. 

Fleas are pretty obvious because they are jumping off your dog and into your carpet but fleas can also be classified as an allergy.  With some dogs it only takes a few flea bites to cause serious skin condition because they are allergic to fleas' saliva. 

Over bathing your dog is kind of misleading.  It’s not the water that does the damage; it’s the shampoo that you may be using.  Human shampoos and some dog shampoos will strip the natural oils from a dog’s skin and coat and created itchy skin.  Using the wrong shampoo coupled with the number one mistake that most dog owners make, not rinsing the dog thoroughly enough to get rid of shampoo residue can create itchy skin all over his body. 

Then there are the itching problems that has nothing to do with an actual itch.  Sometimes dogs will revert to this behavior when they are anxious.  If the dog is itching before you leave in the morning but then is fine when you come home, then the itch may be associated with separation anxiety. 

Home Remedies For Dog Itchy Skin 

Finding what is causing itchy dog skin can be difficult and is going to take a period of time as you sort out and eliminate various causes.  In the meantime your furry friend wants some relief.  Fortunately there is an abundance of commercial products available to stop dog itching but even better there are a number of remedies that use products you may already have in your kitchen. 

For starters you can try to cure the itching from the inside out.  Adding a tablespoon of olive oil to your dog’s food will provide the omega-3 fatty acid that he needs to create the natural oil in his skin and is vital to his natural skin defense.  Vitamin E is also essential to boost a dog's immune system to fight any infection or inflammation caused by scratching.  Supplements come in both capsule and liquid form and can easily be added to food or hidden in a treat. 

For treating the area directly, there is nothing more soothing than tea tree oil.  Mix this 50/50 with water and put it in a clean empty spray bottle and spray directly on the area affected.  It’s cooling and relieves the itching almost immediately.  The downside is that it wears off after about 8 hours. 

Oatmeal is another great itch stopper.  You can buy colloidal oatmeal shampoos but if you want to put a little work into it you can make your own.  to make this great home remedy, take a cup of instant oatmeal (plain no fruit bits or artificial flavoring) and grind it into a fine powder in a coffee grinder.  Mix that powder into a cup of water and stir.  Fill the tub high enough so it will cover half the dog’s body when he gets in.  Work the oatmeal shampoo into his coat and let it stand for 20 minutes.  Thoroughly rinse the pooch and pat dry with a towel.  The oatmeal will take out the itch and actually calm the dog. 

Once you have dog itchy skin under control, keep up a regular schedule of grooming.  Combing the coat encourages the production and distribution of the dog’s natural oils and provides protection from future bouts of itchy skin. 

The bottom line is your poor puppy doesn’t have to suffer.  There are inexpensive treatments that will work miracles and help alleviate your dog's itching and other skin problems.  Remember, your dog looks to you, the pet owner, as his first responder when it comes to dog health problems and you owe it to him to know how to take care his ailments and keep your canine happy and healthy.