A lot of the time, when a dog starts scratching away, it’s because they’ve gotten fleas. As horrible as that is, it’s fairly easily resolved with flea medication and lots of vacuuming and cleaning. But what if your dog is itching a lot, and there are no fleas to be found? What does that mean?
If there isn’t a flea in sight, but your pet is constantly scratching, there are four possible other reasons for the itchiness. We’ll look at these reasons below, as well as what you should do to remedy the issue. We’ll also tell you what sorts of treatment your vet might use for these and a few ways you can help your dog’s itchiness at home.
The 4 Possible Causes for Dogs’ Itchiness
1. Parasites
It’s important to note that just because you don’t physically see fleas or flea dirts on your pet, it doesn’t necessarily mean their itching isn’t caused by fleas. For some dogs with flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) just one or two flea bites can make your pup very itchy.
However, if fleas have been ruled out and your dog is on regular prescription flea preventatives then there are other parasites that might be causing the itching, such as ticks and mites. Ticks burrow their mouthparts into the skin and can cause irritation. This parasite can also transmit diseases, like Lyme, which could cause serious health problems for your pup. If you and your pet enjoy the great outdoors during tick season, always check them carefully for ticks when you bring them back inside! Also, be sure to give your pet a tick preventative to help reduce the risk of acquiring ticks.
Dogs can also get mange caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the skin to feed and live. There are two types of mange that can affect dogs, sarcoptic and demodectic and both can cause itching and secondary skin infections.
2. Food Allergies
Canines can develop food allergies, most often to animal proteins like beef or chicken. Food allergies don’t occur that often in dogs (environmental allergies are more common), but they can happen and cause itchiness when they do. As well as itchy skin and ears they can also cause gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea.
The only way to accurately diagnose food allergies in dogs is to remove all the currently fed foods and start a strict elimination diet trial under your vet’s direction. Unfortunately currently available blood and saliva tests are not reliable.
3. Environmental Allergies
Environmental allergies could also be the culprit. Environmental allergies are precisely what they sound like—allergies related to things in the environment. Many things, including pollen, dust mites, and mold, could cause these allergies. Environmental allergies typically cause skin itchiness, particularly on the paws, face, and belly. This is another instance where consulting a vet is best.
4. Skin Infections
Finally, if it isn’t fleas, it could very well be a skin infection. Certain bacteria and yeasts live on dog skin without causing issues, however if the skin is damaged or they are suffering from other health conditions like hormonal conditions and allergies, they can overgrow and lead to an infection. The two most common types of skin infections in dogs are staphylococcal bacterial infection and yeast dermatitis caused by Malassezia.
Along with itching, your dog may have red inflamed areas of skin, and hair loss. If you see these signs, bring your pet to the vet as soon as possible. Once your vet has diagnosed the cause, infections can be treated with antibacterial or antifungal topical washes or oral medications. Any underlying causes will also need to be identified and addressed by your vet.
What Should I Do for My Dog’s Itchy Skin?
Your best bet is to take your dog to the vet so they can receive a diagnosis about what is causing their itchiness (this is especially true if your dog is scratching, licking, or biting at themselves excessively). Your vet will run tests to figure out the issue’s root cause. Once that is discovered, treatment can begin.
Treatment depends on what exactly your canine companion is dealing with but could include:
- Topical or oral medication
- Steroids
- Eliminating any allergens in the home or diet (when possible)
- Antibiotics
- Antifungals
There are also ways to help your pup at home if you know what is causing their itchiness. For canines with environmental allergies and sensitive skin, use a hypoallergenic shampoo designed to soothe itchiness when you give them a bath.
It may be beneficial to bathe your pup more frequently to wash allergens out of their coat.
If your dog is experiencing constant itchiness, a prescription diet prescribed by your vet could help. These diets typically contain ingredients that reduce inflammation and promote skin health.
Consult with your vet about the potential benefits of an essential fatty acid supplement for your dog. These supplements, containing the right balance of omegas 3 and 6, can help maintain skin health, reduce inflammation, and make your dog’s skin less reactive to allergens.
Conclusion
If your dog is excessively itchy and flea-free, one of the mentioned causes is likely the reason behind their itchiness. It’s advisable to seek veterinary advice to identify the root cause and initiate appropriate treatment to alleviate the itchiness promptly. Additionally, using itch-soothing shampoo and discussing a prescription diet or essential fatty acid supplement with your vet can be beneficial!
Featured Image Credit: ElenaYakimova, Shutterstock
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The cat was sleeping peacefully on the windowsill.
The cat was peacefully sleeping on the windowsill.