Why Is My Dog So Itchy?
Itchy skin is one of the most common concerns we hear about at Greenpet.
You may notice your dog scratching, licking or chewing their skin, rubbing against furniture or spending much more time grooming than usual.
Fleas are one possible cause of itching, but they are certainly not the only possibility. Dogs can experience skin irritation for many different reasons, including environmental factors, seasonal changes, diet and the condition of the skin itself.
When a dog has ongoing itchy skin, it can be helpful to look beyond the itch itself and consider the bigger picture of their diet, environment and overall skin and coat health.
Common Signs of Itchy Skin in Dogs
Dogs can show skin irritation in several different ways.
Common signs include:
- Frequent scratching
- Licking or chewing the paws or body
- Rubbing against furniture, carpets or other surfaces
- Excessive grooming
- Red or irritated skin
- Dry or flaky skin
- Changes in coat condition
- Hair loss or thinning areas
- Repeated hot spots
- Increased attention to the ears, paws or face
Some dogs may show only one of these signs, while others can have several at the same time.
What Can Cause an Itchy Dog?
There isn't one single cause of itchy skin in dogs. Possible contributing factors include:
Fleas and Other External Factors
Fleas are a common cause of itching in dogs and should be considered when a dog suddenly becomes very itchy.
Other external factors can also irritate the skin, including contact with grasses, plants, dust and other environmental substances.
Click here to read more about Fleas.
Seasonal and Environmental Factors
Some dogs experience more noticeable itching at particular times of the year.
Changes in temperature, humidity, pollen, grasses and other environmental factors can coincide with increased scratching or licking.
Keeping a note of when your dog's itching occurs can sometimes help identify patterns.
Diet and Nutrition
Diet can also be worth considering when a dog has ongoing skin concerns.
The skin and coat require a wide range of nutrients, including protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet provides the nutritional building blocks needed to maintain normal skin function and coat condition.
Rather than simply adding multiple supplements, it can be useful to look at the overall quality and balance of your dog's diet.
Skin Barrier Health
The skin provides an important protective barrier between your dog and the external environment.
Dryness, irritation and repeated scratching can affect the condition of the skin and may contribute to further discomfort.
Supporting healthy skin from both the inside and outside can therefore be an important part of an overall skin-care approach.
Supporting Your Dog's Skin From the Inside
Nutrition is an important foundation for healthy skin and coat.
A balanced diet should provide appropriate amounts of protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly used as part of nutritional support for skin and coat health. Depending on the individual dog, other nutritional and herbal products may also be considered.
Digestive health can also form part of the bigger picture, as the digestive system and immune system are closely connected. A healthy gut microbiome is important!
Supporting the Skin From the Outside
Topical care can be useful when your dog's skin needs additional cleansing, soothing or moisturising.
Gentle shampoos, herbal rinses, creams and balms can help care for the skin and coat without unnecessarily harsh ingredients.
It is important to choose products formulated for dogs and to follow the recommended directions for use.
What About Itchy Paws?
Paws can be a particularly noticeable area of irritation.
Dogs may lick or chew their paws repeatedly, particularly after spending time outdoors.
Grass, dirt, moisture and other environmental factors can all come into contact with the paws. Keeping paws clean and dry and paying attention to when the licking occurs can help identify possible patterns.
A gentle topical product may also be useful for maintaining paw and skin comfort.
Natural Support for Itchy Dogs
There are a range of nutritional, herbal and topical products that can be used as part of an overall approach to your dog's skin and coat health.
Greenpet Canine Skin Bundles
Our Canine Skin Bundle combines nutritional support along with our Itchy Dogs book.
Petz Park Skin + Coat for Dogs
Petz Park Skin + Coat for Dogs provides nutritional support for healthy skin and coat and contains omega-3 fatty acids.
Petz Park Probiotic for Dogs
Petz Park Probiotic for Dogs can be considered alongside nutritional skin and coat support as part of an overall approach to your dog's health.
DERMagic Skin Support
DERMagic Skin Support Packs for Dogs include topical products for skin and coat care, including herbal shampoo, conditioner and topical skin products.
Augustine's SuperBath Herbal Rinse
Augustine's SuperBath is a herbal rinse or soak that can be used as part of your dog's skin and coat care routine.
Augustine's SuperBalm
Augustine's SuperBalm is a topical balm for areas that need additional moisture and skin care.
Other Topical Skin Support
Greenpet also stocks a range of topical products for dogs, including Neempet Skin Solution, Essential Dog Dermal Scratch Spray and Essential Dog Oatmeal Dermal Cream.
Itchy Dogs Book
Itchy Dogs by Julie Massoni
Our Itchy Dogs book provides information about diet, nutrition and natural approaches to supporting dogs with ongoing skin concerns.
The book covers a range of skin-related topics and provides practical information about diet and natural remedies.
Looking at the Whole Picture
When your dog is constantly scratching, it can be tempting to focus only on stopping the itch.
However, itching is a sign rather than a diagnosis, and there can be many different factors involved.
Consider your dog's diet, environment, seasonal patterns, skin care and overall health. Keeping a record of when the itching occurs and which areas are affected can also help identify patterns.
Supporting healthy skin and coat from both the inside and outside can form part of a considered approach to your dog's ongoing skin health.
Feel free to contact us for more info on how you can support your dog - Ask the Naturopath