Why Is My Dog Always Scratching? Causes and Solutions

If your dog is constantly scratching, it could be due to several reasons including skin allergies, healing wounds, infrequent or overly frequent bathing, parasite infestations, or skin diseases.

Persistent scratching in dogs can be attributed to various factors such as skin allergies, wound healing, improper bathing routines (too infrequent or too frequent), parasite infestations, or the presence of underlying skin conditions. If the scratching is due to a healing wound, using an Elizabethan collar can help prevent your dog from further irritating the area. For parasite infestations, appropriate internal and external parasite control medications should be administered. However, in cases of skin allergies or skin diseases, a visit to the veterinarian is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Common Causes of Excessive Scratching

It's crucial to identify the root cause of your dog's scratching. Here are some common culprits:

• Skin Allergies: Like humans, dogs can be allergic to pollen, food, fleas, and other environmental factors. These allergies often manifest as itchy skin.
• Wound Healing: As wounds heal, they can become itchy due to the formation of scabs.
• Bathing Habits: Both infrequent and overly frequent bathing can disrupt the skin's natural oil balance, leading to dryness and itching.
• Parasites: Fleas, ticks, and mites are common parasites that can cause severe itching in dogs.
• Skin Diseases: Conditions such as dermatitis, ringworm, and other fungal or bacterial infections can lead to persistent scratching.

Treatment Options for Itchy Skin

The treatment for your dog’s itching depends on the underlying cause. Here are some general recommendations:

• Veterinary Visit: For any persistent or severe itching, a veterinarian visit is essential. They can diagnose the specific cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
• Parasite Control: Regular use of flea and tick prevention medication is crucial for dogs, especially if your pet spends time outdoors.
• Allergy Management: If allergies are suspected, your veterinarian may recommend an allergy test or dietary changes.
• Appropriate Bathing: Maintain a consistent bathing routine, and always use dog-specific shampoos and conditioners to avoid irritating their skin.
• Medicated Products: In certain instances, your veterinarian might prescribe specific medications, ointments or shampoos to treat the root cause of the itch.

Consider using a specialized pet skin spray. A product such as the Miao Shou Yi Sheng pet skin spray may provide relief. It contains traditional Chinese medicine ingredients like sophora flavescens, cnidium monnieri and stemona japonica, which can help with detoxification and wound healing. It is suitable for various pet skin issues, such as dog and cat ringworm, eczema, and other related skin problems. The product aims to deeply kill surface mites, demodex mites, sarcoptic mites and fungi. It also addresses common skin problems in dogs and cats such as skin redness, purulence, dermatitis, itching, hair loss, lumps, dander and mites. The formula is mild and safe for pets, even if they lick the treated area. The inclusion of mint provides a refreshing and non-irritating scent.Follow us for updates:Pet Training