How to Help Your Dog Stop Excessive Itching and Scratching

Environmental allergies may cause your dog to itch.

Most dogs scratch a little sometimes. When the scratching increases to an excessive amount, your dog's discomfort also increases. Finding a way to stop the scratching helps avoid the risk of infections from scrapes due to aggressive scratching.

Things You'll Need

• Flea comb
• Flea treatment
• Medications (optional)
• Dietary supplements (optional)
• Humidifier (optional)
• Special diet (optional)
• Brush
• Dog shirt (optional)
• Elizabethan collar (optional)

Instructions

1. Examine the areas on your dog that it scratches for signs of infection, redness, foreign objects, mites, scaling and other abnormal conditions such as oozing material from the ears. Use a flea comb to check for fleas.

2. 

   Finding fleas on some heavy coated dogs may be difficult.

   Treat your dog, other pets, yard and home for fleas even if you find none, as flea allergies are the most common reasons for itching, according to UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Consider using veterinarian-prescribed flea medications to achieve long-term effective control of fleas with minimal side effects, advises UC Davis.

3. Take the dog to the veterinarian if the skin shows any signs of infection or damage. Give medications, such as antibiotics, mite or mange treatment, steroids, antihistamines, topical ointments and medicated baths, as directed by your veterinarian.

4. Discuss your dog's diet with your veterinarian and ask about adding omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which help to improve skin and coat condition, according to University of Connecticut. Ask your veterinarian about adding Vitamin E and selenium to your dog's diet to help relieve dry skin, suggests Vetinfo.

5. Evaluate products used in and around your home that often causes dogs to itch, such as carpet cleaners, yard chemicals and cleaning products. Use a humidifier for very dry air in the home. Avoid exposure to wind, sun and water to prevent drying the dog's skin, suggests Vetinfo.

6. Ask your veterinarian about testing your dog for allergic reactions to foods and environmental substances, including dust, pollens and mold, advises veterinary dermatology specialist Carol S. Foil. Consider placing your dog on a special restrictive diet for 10 to 16 weeks to help you evaluate if the itching relates to food allergies, suggests Foil.

7. 

   Elizabethan collars provide a physical barrier.

   Brush your dog's coat daily to help stimulate healthy skin. Put a shirt on the dog and secure it to help prevent scratching, or use an Elizabethan collar to stop chewing or licking the skin or scratching the ears and head area.

Tips & Warnings

• Scratching around the tail, groin and hips often indicates fleas, according to UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

• Although side effects occur rarely, watch your dog for any signs of reaction to flea products, such as vomiting, drooling or diarrhea, and report problems immediately to your veterinarian, advises UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

• Do not apply ointments without first consulting your veterinarian to avoid a possible reaction to licking toxic chemicals.

• Consult your veterinarian before giving any home medications, especially steroids, which some dogs may develop allergic reaction to, advises Vetinfo.

References

• UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine: Fleas and Flea Allergy Dermatitis
• University of Connecticut: Omega-3 fatty acids can improve pets' coat and skin
• Vetinfo: Dog Itch Remedies
• VeterinaryPartner.com: 01 Itching and Allery in Dogs-Dermatology; Carol S. Foil

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Vetinfo: Prescription Dog Itching Remedies
• Mar Vista Animal Medical Center: Itch Relief
• College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University: Canine Food Allergies
• Dr. Matt Allworth -- Veterinarian: DIY Elimination Diet for Dog and Cat
• VeterinaryPartner.com: 01 Chronic Steroid Use