Are you worried about your dog’s constant scratching, gnawing, and biting himself?
If your furry pal is scratching or biting himself, you know how painful it can be for you and your dog. It can reduce your pet’s quality of life. Just like us, several things can cause itching to your four-legged companions. It is important to know the potential causes your dog could suffer from.
In this post, we will discuss everyone g about dogs’ constant scratching. You will have an insight into the reasons why your dog is constantly scratching and biting himself, how you can manage and treat scratching and itching in dogs, and general care to keep your dog’s skin healthy.
Sounds epic, right? Let’s begin our ride!
Reasons why your dog is constantly scratching and biting himself
Any time your dog seems to scratch or bite itself is a general clue of discomfort. You need to understand why your four-legged companion is doing it. Here are some reasons why some dogs constantly scratch, lick, or bite themselves:
Allergies:
Dogs are prone to a variety of allergies. They may be allergic to certain foods, pollen, molds, dust, certain plants, or dog shampoos that may lead to itching. The most commonly affected areas of dogs are the belly, feet, skin folds, ears. Try to work with your veterinarian to determine the exact allergen that’s causing trouble for your dog.
Parasites:
A dog’s fur provides the perfect environment for parasites. Dogs can easily pick up ticks and fleas when outdoors. These parasites can rapidly infest your pet and irritate his skin. This leads to intense scratching and biting, which can cause hair loss.
Parasites can carry other diseases as well. If you find a flea or tick or flea on your dog, try to remove it as soon as possible. Keep in mind that symptoms of tick-borne diseases can take days or weeks to appear.
Hormonal imbalance:
A dog’s coat is influenced by different hormones present in their bodies including estrogen, melatonin, testosterone, growth hormone, cortisol, and thyroxine. If these hormones reach a certain abnormal level, either high or low, it can lead to itching.
Pain:
There is a possibility that something is making your dog physically uncomfortable. Sometimes, dogs bite their paw repeatedly due to pain caused by a thorn or sharp stone stuck in their foot pad. Constant scratching can also be due to orthopedic problems, including arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Boredom and anxiety:
If your dog is bored and looking for ways to stimulate itself, he might scratch himself due to boredom. This would be more likely if he tends to do it more before getting exercise.
How to manage your dog’s constant scratching
Body scratching can lead to skin breakages and infections. Here’s how you can manage and treat scratching and itching in dogs:
Antibiotics for infection:
If your dog is scratching because of some infection, your vet will prescribe an oral antibiotic and medicated shampoo. Your dog will also need an anti-itch medicine to stop the itch-scratch cycle.
Treat all pets in your house:
Parasites can cause irritation and a wide variety of problems for your dogs. If your dog has parasites, the best course of treatment will be to treat the parasites. You should treat all household pets regularly for mites, ticks, and fleas. Keep in mind that fleas can jump onto all animals in the home. So, treat all pets regularly for parasites to ensure they’re protected at all times.
Inspect and groom your dog regularly:
Regularly inspect your dog for signs of allergies and infections. Also, inspect them for parasites after walks through the muddy or grassy settings. Look between their toes, on the lips, under the legs, near the anus, around eyes and ears, and under their tail. Regular grooming helps you keep an eye out for any rashes, skin bumps, wounds, or external parasites that may be hiding under your dog’s coat.
Healthy food
If you want to prevent your dog from constant scratching and biting, it’s essential to feed him properly. If food allergies are making your dog itch, try to eliminate potential trigger foods. The daily diet should be the right balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and carbs. The diet should be based on your dog’s age, gender, weather, metabolism, and activity level.
Addressing anxiety or boredom:
Sometimes, constant scratching and biting develops in response to fear, anxiety, or boredom. To reduce this, be sure your dog receives sufficient physical and mental stimulation and enough love. Also, give chew toys, puzzle toys, and dental chews to relieve stress as a replacement for compulsive scratching or licking behaviors.
Get regular checkups:
Annual veterinary visits are a key part of preventive care. Your vet will examine your dog for any signs of allergy, pain, hormonal imbalance, or parasite problems. He will help ensure that the preventive treatments you’re using are working effectively. Regular vet check-ups give you a chance to track your dog’s skin and coat conditions as well.
Keep your dog’s belongings clean:
Dust and clean your dog’s toys and bedding thoroughly. Wash your dog’s beds, pillows, blankets, and washable toys regularly to avoid parasites, bacteria, and allergens.
Skip Harsh Detergents and Household Products
Your dog might feel itchy because of the detergents or bug sprays you use to clean their bed and blankets. Try to skip products with harsh chemicals.
How to keep your dog’s skin healthy?
To keep your dog’s skin healthy, you need good nutrition, regular exercise, and a safe comfy place to relax. Your four-legged companion also needs protection from extreme weather and parasites. You can take the following steps to keep your dog’s skin healthy:
When you groom your pet, check for fleas, ticks, signs of allergies, and rashes. Also, identify any clues of flea bites and infection.
Provide complete nutrition and a healthy and balanced diet to your dog. A healthy and nutritious diet will keep their skin healthy and boost their immune system.
Include omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in your dog’s diet. It’ll help to maintain healthy skin and coat conditions.
Avoid feeding your dog processed food that contains artificial flavors and toxic chemical preservatives. They can have a bad impact on your dog’s skin and coat.
There are several commercial products for flea and tick control in dogs. You need to see which solutions will work better in your case.
When a dog scratches or bites his skin, he risks opening up his skin to several infections. These infections may require further treatment.
Final thoughts
By taking some precautions and following these tips, you can prevent scratching and biting from starting in the first place. Good overall health will keep your dog’s skin healthy and immune system strong. It will also cut down your dog’s likelihood of developing certain allergies.
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