WHY DOES MY DOG HAVE ITCHY SKIN AFTER GROOMING?

Your dog has just had a bath at the groomer and is looking adorable. You pick him up, and then….the itchiness begins. Grooming your dog (or getting them professionally groomed) can be a great way to help keep their coat healthy and clean, but often times after a good scrub down and a haircut, your dog could be itching like crazy.

There are many reasons why your dog could be itching after getting groomed. Some of the most common reasons include dry skin, clipper burn, skin irritation, hot spots, and bacterial infections. If you think that your dog may have a skin infection or other underlying medical problem, you should always contact your veterinarian. Throughout the remainder of this article, we will discuss each reason why your pup could be scratching like there’s no tomorrow after getting groomed. 

Here are some common reasons why your dog could be itching after getting groomed:

Razor Burns

Razor burns are common and can be caused by a variety of factors. These include:

• Using a dull blade. A dull blade means you or the groomer have to apply more pressure, which will irritate your dog’s skin.
• Not cleaning the hair from the blade after every use causes a hygiene issue.
• Holding the razor at an angle that is too steep for your dog’s fur type causes unnecessary friction on the skin surface as well as pulling at the top layer of fur, causing it to come off in clumps instead of being evenly distributed across the body.

So what can you do if your pet suffers from razor burns? First off, make sure that you’re using, or your groomer is using an appropriate blade for their breed and coat type (you can ask us about this). You might also want to try switching up how you hold your dog while grooming them, so they feel less stressed out during this process—some people find it’s a good idea just hold onto one paw while shaving another, so there isn’t any pressure on any one area for too long!

Clipper Burn

Clipper burn is a common problem for dogs, and it’s caused by the clipper blades being too close to the skin. This results in irritation and redness around the hair follicle.

It’s important to note that this isn’t the same as razor burn, which generally happens in areas where fur doesn’t grow (e.g., armpits or groins).

If your dog has been groomed recently and has developed clipper burn, it may be because of either one of two things: You could have chosen an inappropriate blade length for your dog’s coat type, or your groomer might have been using a dull blade.

Hot Spots

If your dog is itching after grooming, a hot spot may be the culprit. Hot spots are red, inflamed patches of skin that can occur anywhere on the body. They often look like raised bumps or pimples.

A hot spot is caused by an allergic reaction to something, such as a flea bite or an allergy to food or pollen. A hot spot can also be caused by excessive grooming or shaving around the area where your dog was shaved (this is especially common when clipping around the paws). Next time, don’t shave excessively over the same area.

Dry Skin

One of the most common reasons for itching after a grooming session is dry skin. This can be caused by several factors, including genetics and environmental changes.

Dry skin can be triggered by bathing too often or using the wrong shampoo. For best results, pet parents should use dog shampoos made for dogs with skin issues to prevent further irritation. It may also occur because you use the wrong type of brush or brush too hard on your dog’s body, leaving it sensitive to touch. If your dog experiences seasonal allergies (for example, pollen), it may be more prone to itching as well.

Seasonal Allergies – Yes, Dogs Have Them Too

Seasonal allergies are one of the most common causes of itchiness in dogs and can be caused by a variety of allergens, such as pollen or mold. When dogs develop seasonal allergies, their immune system reacts to the presence of these allergens by producing antibodies that attack their own body’s cells. This results in inflammation of the skin and itching.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions are the most common reason for itching. Allergies can be triggered by environmental triggers like pollen, dust, mold, and mites. Food allergies or food intolerances can also cause itching.

If your dog has a food allergy or intolerance, he may be sensitive to ingredients in his diet and experience itching following the consumption of these foods. Common allergens include beef and dairy products as well as grains such as corn or wheat.

Getting groomed can trigger allergies due to stress and what other dogs in the groomer’s shop have brought in with them.

A Skin Infection from a Grooming-Related Cut

One of the most common reasons why your furry friend would be itchy after getting groomed is due to a cut. A skin infection can form inside the cut, and if left untreated can get infected and itchy. When you see signs of irritation, antibiotic ointments should be applied to the affected area.

Hereditary or Environmental Causes

There are several reasons why your dog may be itching after getting groomed. It could be due to a skin condition or an allergic reaction to one of the products used during the grooming process. 

 For instance, if your dog has sensitive skin and tends to get dry patches on his legs when he’s in the sun too long then it would make sense for him to start itching there after being shaven down by a professional grooming service (unless this is normal behavior for him).

Signs of a Serious Issue That Requires Immediate Vet Attention

When it comes to itching, scratching, and redness, you want to be sure that your dog is getting the appropriate care. While most of the time, these symptoms are a result of grooming or minor irritants on the skin, there are instances where they could indicate a more serious issue.

If your dog has any of these symptoms:

• Redness or swelling in an area
• Itchy skin
• Lumps or bumps under their coat
• Excessive scratching (even if it’s not in an area like around their ears)
• Hair loss around their tail or hindquarters

If you suspect a skin infection, contact your veterinarian to have the dog examined and prescribe an appropriate treatment. A bacterial infection, the vet will prescribe antibiotics such as amoxicillin or enrofloxacin. If there is a fungal infection, the vet will prescribe antifungals like ketoconazole. For a viral infection, the vet may prescribe antivirals such as acyclovir or famciclovir.

Natural Remedies to Help your Dog with Itchy Skin

Now that we have talked about all the reasons why your dog might be itchy and ruled out the possibility of a major infection, what can you do to help ease the pain on your poor itchy pup? Try one of the below natural home remedies to see if they help your dog.

• Oatmeal dog shampoo
• Aloe Vera gel
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Coconut oil and hydrocortisone cream are two of the most natural remedies that can be used on your dog’s skin. Hydrocortisone cream is a topical steroid to reduce itching, inflammation, and redness caused by many skin conditions in dogs. 
• Chamomile and Herbal Tea
• Other mild shampoos

If none of these work, consider speaking with your groomer or vet to see what they would recommend helping with the itchiness.

When in doubt about why your dog is suddenly getting itchy after getting groomed, the best thing is to reach out to your groomer to see what, if anything, they might be doing differently. It could be as simple as your groomer ran out of their regular shampoo, and your dog had a mild allergic reaction or something major like your dog was exposed to a bacterial infection.

It could also be, that your dog received a close shave with new clippers. For your next dog grooming appointment, make sure the groomer is using a longer blade to avoid clipper irritation. When in doubt, it’s always best to check it out. 

We hope that you and your itchy pup have some relief in this guide to dealing with all the itches and scratches after grooming. 

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