It's no secret that dogs seem to love to scratch. The issue is when the scratching becomes so frequent that the skin begins to look irritated or fur begins to fall out. At this point, the scratching indicates the likelihood of a skin condition, usually allergies or dry skin. The following tips can help you relieve your dog's itchiness.
Tip #1: Perform an inspection
You can't properly treat the root cause if you don't know what it is. Start by parting your dog's fur so you can clearly see the skin. If you notice flakes of dead skin and an overall redness, dry skin is likely the issue. If you notice a rash or bumps, then you are probably dealing with allergies, though insect bites could also be to blame. In this case, you may want to see your vet for a specific diagnosis.
Tip #2: Provide some wet food
In the case of dry skin itchiness, try increasing your dog's water intake. Water taken internally has a direct effect on the skin. Naturally, you will want to make sure there is plenty of clean water available, but it's difficult to make a dog drink more. If you aren't already feeding your dog wet food, try adding some into their diet to help increase their moisture intake. Wet food also contains good fats and oils, which further decrease dry skin problems.
Tip #3: Increase grooming
Brushing your dog can help with both allergies and dry skin. Brushing encourages skin oil production, which prevents dryness. It also helps remove any allergens that are getting trapped in the fur. If your dog has allergies, frequent baths and grooming can also help remove allergens. In the case of dry skin, stick with brushing daily with occasional baths, since frequent baths can dry the skin out more.
Tip #4: Create a clean environment
Dogs can be allergic to the same things as humans, with dust mites and pollen being common. Washing their bedding often along with vacuuming frequently can help reduce both the mite population and the amount of pollen in your home. Also, make sure to dust frequently and use furniture covers so you can wash them often to further cut down on allergens in the home.
Identifying the specific allergen is often necessary, as your dog may need to take medications such as antihistamines to find relief. Talk to a vet clinic like Pittsburgh Spay & Vaccination Clinic for more help.
Share21 February 2017
Hello, my name is Katrina, and I love my dog. We live out in the country, so he is able to run a lot. He even has neighboring dogs who come to see him and play. However, fresh air and exercise are not the only things he needs. He also needs a healthy diet, the right shots, and care for his mental health. If you are a pet owner, you will love the tips that I plan to include in this blog. I'm going to focus these posts on everything you need to know to keep your dog happy and healthy. I hope these ideas help you, and I wish you and your pet many years of happiness and good health together.