How to Relieve You Pup’s Itchy Skin

Does your pooch have itchy skin? Incessant itching and scratching can make your dog – and you- crazy! Sporadic itching is common but dogs licking, scratching, biting, and chewing to the extent that they are injuring themselves is a symptom of a more serious underlying issue. If your dog is frequently scratching, it is critical to find out the reason causing this behavior, as this is very irritating for your furry friend! There are numerous things that can cause itchy skin in our canine companions such as dry skin, allergies, parasites, and infection. Observing your dog and both his surroundings and behavior can help you to conclude what the source of his discomfort is.

Dry skin is fairly simple to spot. If you see flakes of dandruff when you part your dog’s fur, he has dry skin. This can be brought on by many different factors. Your surroundings can affect your dog’s skin. If you reside in a location with low humidity, your pet may be more inclined to have dry skin as a result of a lack of moisture in the air. Your dog’s food can also deplete the moisture from his skin. Commercial pet food production processes out the good oils that promote healthy skin. Dry pet food also has a dehydrating affect on skin and fur. If you think this might be the reason behind your dog’s itching, adding digestive enzymes to your dog’s meals could be very helpful. Enzymes will help enhance the release of nutrients and beneficial probiotic bacteria. A healthy digestive system will absorb fluid more easily from the food eaten, and this improves hydration and increases the moisture level of the skin and fur. There are also supplements created specifically for dog’s skin and fur that can promote healthy skin and help relieve itch and dryness.

Another frequent source of itchy skin is allergies. Dogs can be allergic to numerous things but the most common are airborne allergies and food allergies. Airborne allergies are caused by pollen, dust, mildew, insects, or animal/human dander. Dogs have symptoms of hay fever like we do; airborne allergies present themselves in the form of itchy skin. The skin normally has a layer of bacteria present. When dogs scratch, this bacterium is pushed further into skin layers and can cause infection along with great irritation. Food allergies in dogs manifest themselves much differently than they do in humans. Instead of the symptoms we humans experience, their allergy symptoms are again, itchy skin, scratching, licking, and chewing. The most frequent foods dogs are allergic to are chicken, beef, and grains. To discover if one of these ingredients is what is causing your dog’s irritation, you’ll need to perform an elimination diet. To do this, pick a pet food that contains none of these ingredients and give it to your dog for around 2 months. If the symptoms cease, you know that one of these ingredients is the cause.

 No matter what is making your pup itch, finding relief for your pet is essential. Bathing is key to maintaining healthy skin. Routine baths with a medicated or oatmeal dog shampoo can calm your canine’s irritated skin. Using cool water is helpful as it will not exacerbate the itch, unlike warm or hot water. This is not a cure but will definitely provide temporary relief. Make sure to pat your dog dry after the bath and avoid rubbing, which would worsen itching. Benedry is safe for dogs and can also provide short term relief from itching. Your veterinarian can advise the proper dosage and let you know if this would be a good option for your dog.