Why Does My Dog Itch So Much?

Occasional dog itching and scratching is normal behavior. The problem occurs when the itching and scratching become more frequent and more intense. These problems may include medical or environmental factors. It is important that you identify the cause of the excessive itching so that you can take steps to rectify the problem.

Food allergies- Food allergies are fairly common in some dog breeds including Boxers, Collies, German Shepherds, Retrievers, Dachshunds and Cocker Spaniels, though just about any dog breed can have them. Food allergies occur when your dog’s immune system overreacts to an invading protein found in the dog food. The most common food allergies seen in dogs are wheat, corn, dairy, beef, lamb and pork. Along with increased itching, other symptoms may include ear infections, bald spots, vomiting and diarrhea.

Environmental allergies- While any dog breed can have environmental allergies, it is most commonly seen in German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers. The most common environmental allergies seen in dogs include airborne pollen, dust mites, animal dander and mold spores. Dogs with environmental allergies will often scratch their face and ears constantly and may also chew at their paws.

Related: Why Does My Dog Cough?

Skin parasites- There are several types of skin parasites that can cause a dog to scratch excessively. Scabies is a highly contagious skin parasite that causes lesions to develop on a dog’s ears, ankles and elbows. Fleas and ticks are other skin parasites that can cause dogs to scratch like crazy. Ear mites can usually be detected easily in dogs. Dogs that have ear mites will constantly scratch their ears and will emit an abnormal odor from their ears.

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Dry skin- Some dog owners just don’t like the smell of their dog, so they find themselves constantly bathing their dog. While it is great to have a clean, fresh-smelling dog, excessive bathing can cause them to have dry skin. As a general guideline, dogs should be bathed about every 2-3 months. Anything more frequent than that, will strip the natural oils from their skin, causing their skin to dry out.

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