Every dog owner knows the classic move: a hind paw rising to vigorously scratch an itchy ear.
An itch here and there is one thing, however. A dog that can’t stop scratching? Well, that’s a big red flag. And left untreated, it’s only going to get redder.
What Do I Do If My Dog is Always Scratching?
“Dogs are itchy for a lot of different reasons,” says Doylestown Veterinary Hospital’s own Dr. David MacDonald, DVM, CVA, CVSMT.
According to Dr. MacDonald, incessant scratching is an all-too-common concern for pet owners. But that doesn’t mean it’s not important or should be overlooked.
“If your dog’s never been itchy before, and all of a sudden is scratching constantly, that warrants a visit to the vet. You shouldn’t minimize it and wait and see what happens. You need to figure out the cause.”
My Dog Has Fleas
Fleas are perhaps the most obvious culprit—and the first blamed—when a dog gets a nasty case of itching. And though they may turn out to be the guilty party, treatment isn’t quite as simple as buying topical medication at the local pet store.
“You want to make sure you’re using the right treatment that’s going to be most effective while also taking care of the bigger picture,” Dr. MacDonald says.
“The fleas that are on the patient is just one part of it,” he says. “Pet owners also have to address things like the flea eggs, the larvae, and the life cycle, in addition to the fleas that are on their pet.”
Factors like other pets in the home and the amount of time spent outdoors also play a role.
Of course, flea and tick medicines and other preventatives are the first line of defense when it comes to strategies used to minimize outbreaks. And that, Dr. MacDonald says, makes regular veterinary exams all the more crucial.
“Annual checkups cover all bases, making sure you’re not going to be surprised later on by fleas and ticks,” he says. “Routine health checks are how we keep animals safe and healthy.”
Mites, As Well
In addition to fleas and ticks, there are plenty of other external parasites that could also be responsible for an onslaught of scratching.
“Mange refers to an overabundance of external parasites on the skin’s surface that can be detrimental to an animal’s health,” Dr. MacDonald says.
“There are always mites living on the skin of dogs, cats, and humans,” he continues. “All mammals have these. And sometimes, under certain conditions, like a suppressed or weakened immune system, these mites suddenly start to over-populate.”
Known as demodectic mange, the condition is caused by excessive numbers of Demodex mites, which live in hair follicles. Having spun out of control, these mites can cause irritation, Dr. MacDonald explains. Invisible to the naked eye, a medical diagnosis from a veterinarian is required to pinpoint the problem and treat it successfully.
The same goes for Sarcoptic mites, which burrow into the skin and cause the infectious disease scabies. Sarcoptic mange is transmitted from various outdoor critters like foxes, groundhogs, raccoons, and skunks—any woodland creatures your dog may come in contact with. It’s incredibly contagious and can be passed on to humans (though short-lived).
The good news? Once identified by a veterinarian, pet owners can be very specific about their treatment plans.
“You’re no longer randomly treating this or that. You know you’ll have success because your treatment is designed specifically for the problem,” Dr. MacDonald says.
Allergy Season. Microbiome Season
Occasionally, animals may be itchy for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with infection, which doesn’t make the constant scratching any more tolerable.
“We see a lot of dogs with allergies,” Dr. MacDonald says. “And there are varying degrees of how badly that can affect them. In some dogs, it may be minor. But if it’s a severe problem, you have to determine how best to treat it.” Allergies can be due to environmental triggers, food sensitivities, or a combination of both.
Treatment options include both the conventional and the holistic, he adds, noting that one of the most significant considerations surrounding allergies should be: “How do we prevent them in the first place?”
If you guessed “diet” is one possible solution, you’re on the right track.
Once again, routine exams are integral to ensure that your pet is adhering to a healthy diet, while also leaving room to explore other food choices if and when necessary.
“The intention is not just to prevent or manage allergies, but to also identify any potential disturbance in how an animal’s body is functioning, particularly concerning their immune system,” Dr. MacDonald says.
So, whether your pet’s meals are store-bought or specifically customized to include any nutrients they may lack, the significant influence of gut health is a very big deal.
“What’s happening in the gut—what we call the microbiome—is specifically influencing our pets’ immune functions,” Dr. MacDonald explains. “Are they having allergies because they eating a food that’s not the right food? You can feed your dog quality food, but if their gut is not happy, then their immune system still can’t do its job.”
Today, veterinarians conduct a great deal of testing regarding the microbiome. These fecal tests are designed to identify any potential gastrointestinal problems that need to be addressed.
“It’s an important piece of the puzzle,” Dr. MacDonald says. “You’re addressing the source of where the immune system interference is coming from… It’s much more successful in the long-term.”
Shave and a Haircut, No Itch
For other itchy dogs, inadequate grooming may very well be the culprit.
“Some dogs need to be groomed regularly,” Dr. MacDonald says.
Problems, he notes, can range from excessive and uncomfortable matting to hygienic issues that stem from the accumulation of feces or urine in sanitary areas.
It’s important to keep a dog’s skin and coat properly groomed for wellness. Dry skin or coat matting can result in recurrent irritation.
“An evaluation by a professional groomer can make sure these things are taken care of,” Dr. MacDonald says.
Supplemental Outcomes
According to Dr. MacDonald, naturally occurring options, like herbal supplements, may be recommended by a vet in conjunction with, or instead of, a medical prescription.
Certain supplements like Omega 3 Fatty Acids (fish oil) are used to keep a dog’s skin healthy.
“It’s one of those broadly beneficial things that you don’t have to think too hard about,” Dr. MacDonald says. “Most animals will benefit from it.”
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.
“There are some dogs and cats that are sensitive to anything you do for them, whether it’s a medication or a supplement. So, while it’s true that natural treatments are easier on their bodies and easier for them to tolerate, occasionally, they will still have sensitivities,” Dr. MacDonald continues.
“For some animals, even naturally occurring substances like fish oil or other herbal supplements can upset their stomach. To me, that just illustrates that there are probably deeper things happening with the gut that we’re discovering. There’s usually a medical reason why that’s happening.”
Skin disease is a relatively common ailment, Dr. MacDonald says. But it’s not always the same thing for every animal, which poses several challenges and frustrations for both pet owners and veterinarians.
Doylestown Veterinary Hospital frequently fields the common issue of itchiness, he notes, but for particularly challenging cases, a referral to a veterinary dermatologist may be in order.
“Even when you feel there’s absolutely nothing working, there’s always an opportunity to access specialists who have answers,” Dr. MacDonald says. “As long as we approach things from a systematic, logical way, we’ll find a good outcome as we work through these problems.”
