Why Is My Dog So Itchy?

Why is my dog so itchy? You love your pooch, but does their constant scratching and biting get annoying sometimes? Many dog owners have this problem and just want to know why their dogs seem so itchy. This article will discuss the various reasons why dogs scratch, lick, and bite themselves.

If your dog is itchy you probably first think it's fleas or something wrong with their skin and you may be right. Skin and coat problems in dogs are commonly categorized as environmental, nutritional, parasitic, and allergic. Since there are so many possible causes of skin problems, you will need to take your canine to the veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis of the specific issue and how to treat it.

Environmental dermatitis is exactly what it sounds like. It's caused by something in the dog's environment. The dog is healthy, but it's skin gets irritated by something. A dog may be sensitive to something like grass or thistle.

Nutritional dermatitis is when the dog's diet is the cause of the problem. Not all commercial pet foods are as nutritional as you may think. Many pet foods are less expensive because they are full of grain and by-products. Your dog needs a good pet food that contains mostly meat as well as vegetables. If meat isn't the first ingredient on your dog's food then you probably need better food. Without the proper nutrition your dog's skin, coat, and entire body is actually in a state of stress causing things like health problems and skin irritation.

Parasitic dermatitis is fleas, or any other parasitic creatures that latch onto animals. If your dog as small dark things running around on its skin then it's probably fleas. If your dog has light-colored fur you may be able to actually see the fleas on its skin. Fleas can cause hypersensitivity and really agitate a dog's skin where the flea bites the dog.

Some dogs also have allergic reactions which can cause them to become itchy. They could be allergic to a food, plant, or a flea bite.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.