Written by Vet Evidence Based

Dog Itchy Skin – Causes and Remedies

Margarita Boyd
Written by: Dr. Margarita Boyd, BVSc MRCVS
Dogs often have itchy skin, but is it really normal? In this article, we will common the most common cases and remedies for itchy skin in dogs.

Dog itchy skin can be a problem for both dogs and their owners.

What you call dog itchy skin, experts call pruritus, and it is an extremely common complaint in dogs.

Dogs can itch until their skin is red, sore, and infected, and owners can often feel completely helpless watching their dogs feel so uncomfortable.

Dogs may feel itchy for several reasons and not all of them are reasons to be worried.

Sometimes the cause is obvious like fleas, while at other times it may be more difficult to diagnose and you may need the help of your veterinarian.

In this article, we will explore many of the common causes of itchy skin in dogs and how they are diagnosed.

Next to that, we will also explore dog itchy skin remedy options, and see what are the best ways to treat itchy skin in dogs.

Itchy Skin In Dogs: Signs

A dog with itchy skin can show a variety of signs.

He will bite, itch, rub and lick the areas of his body that are itchy.

Sometimes only one or two areas are affected, or the entire body can be itchy. If the itching is severe the dog may also feel depressed, and act differently than normal.

Some dogs might even have a decreased appetite or reluctance to do exercise.

Common clinical signs include:

  • Redness of the skin
  • Hives (sign of an allergic reaction, little raised bumps on the skin)
  • Spots or crusts on the skin
  • Licking the paws or legs
  • Biting and licking the skin
  • Rubbing up against furniture or the floor
  • Hair loss

Itchy Skin In Dogs: Causes

As we mentioned earlier, there are a lot of causes of itchy skin in dogs. This is what makes it quite a frustrating problem.

Sometimes the cause is obvious like fleas or a reaction to using a new washing powder on your dog’s bed, and at other times the cause of the itchiness can be pretty difficult to diagnose.

The list of possible causes is very long, therefore, we have arranged the common causes of itching in dogs into helpful groups.

Let’s take a closer look at these different causes of itching in a little more detail:

Parasites (fleas, mites, ticks)

Fleas are a very common cause of itching in dogs(1).

These tiny brown little critters feed on the dog’s blood and make the dog itch every time they bite.

They can be clearly seen on the dog’s skin but move and jump quite fast, so sometimes it takes experience to find them.

Fleas are most commonly encountered at the base of the tail and along the back. They cause intense itching and redness of the skin.

There are many different types of mites (2) which can also cause your dog to feel itchy.

Sarcoptes and Demodex are two of the most common canine mites:

  • Sarcoptes mites (also known as scabies) commonly cause hair loss and intense itching around the chest, ears, and elbows
  • Demodex mites usually cause a mild itch, with lesions of hair loss and scaly skin, on the face, legs, and paws

Mites can’t be seen with the naked eye, and a veterinarian will need to take a quick sample of skin or hair to look at under a microscope to diagnose the problem.

Ticks are another type of blood-sucking parasite that can cause your dog to itch and bite at its skin. They can latch on anywhere, but especially along the legs or in armpits.

These pesky pests can also bite humans and transmit a number of diseases, so it is important to check your dog for them during tick season(3).

Allergies

Allergies are another common cause of itching in dogs.

Environmental allergens can include almost anything your dog might come into contact with within the home or outside including dust, molds, dust mites, storage mites, pollens, or grass.

Allergies may be seasonal, with your dog only itching in the summer due to a pollen allergy, or may occur all year round if it is an allergy to dust or molds in the home.

These types of allergies can cause a condition known as atopic dermatitis(4).

The dog’s immune system over-reacts to certain particles, or allergens, it comes into contact with.

The dog’s immune system recognizes the allergen as an invader into the body and triggers an attack against it causing itchiness and redness of the skin.

Allergic dermatitis commonly affects the paws, ears, armpits, and face, but can affect the whole body in severe cases. The skin is red and itchy often with little spots.

As the dog continues to scratch and licks it can lead to hair loss, and staining of the hair from continual licking, crusting, and skin infections.

Read more: Allergies in French Bulldogs, Allergies in German Shepherds, Allergies in Golden Retrievers

Dry Skin

Skin that is dry and flaky will make your dog feel very itchy.

Often just a slight touch along your dog’s back can make him start an itching spree. The skin may appear dry and tough with dandruff-like flakes.

If you live in an area with low humidity, this may cause skin dryness. If you bathe your dog too frequently or use a harsh shampoo, you could be removing the natural oils from its skin and coat, causing dry skin.

Finally, dry skin can also be caused by a poor diet.

Food Allergy

Food allergies and sensitivities can cause a variety of signs from dry, itchy skin to ear infections to vomiting and diarrhea.

A food allergy often causes the ears and paws of the dog to be itchy, but in severe cases can cause the entire body to be red and itchy.

Food hypersensitivity reactions can occur a few minutes after eating a new food or a few days later, and often cause an upset tummy.

However, some food allergies may develop after feeding the offending food allergen to your dog for YEARS before the allergy develops.

This is why food allergies can be quite difficult to diagnose!

A canine study in the United States found that the most common food allergens for dogs were beef, soy, chicken, chicken egg, cow’s milk, wheat, and corn(5).

Skin Infections

Bacteria and yeast are infectious organisms that can make a dog’s skin feel very itchy(6, 7).

They can also cause hair loss, scaling, pus-filled spots, and red sore spots on the skin. These types of infections can pop up anywhere on a dog’s body.

Dogs with long, thick hair is often more prone to these infections, as the skin often becomes hot and moist, the perfect environment for bacteria to grow! Often the affected areas will be smelly and very sore to touch.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is not a very common cause of itching in dogs(8).

It is caused by direct contact something with the skin of the dog, which then causes inflammation of the skin (dermatitis). The clinical signs typically occur only in the area where the allergen touched the skin.

Common examples include flea collars, pesticides used on the lawn, a new dog bed, using a new dog shampoo, or a new washing powder.

If the dog is allergic to any of those examples, there will be redness and itching where it contacted the skin.

Removing the allergen, (i.e. changing the dog bed, removing the flea collar) often solves the problem.

Diagnosis

dog itching

Diagnosing the cause of itching is a process of elimination. Firstly, parasites should be ruled out. Fleas are the most common cause of itchy skin in dogs.

You should check carefully through your dog’s coat, looking for fleas, flea dirt (little brown specks of flea poop!), or ticks. A flea comb is a really helpful tool to help you do this.

Try to think about when the itch happens:

  • Only after walks in long grass?
  • After you bought your dog a new dog bed or used a new dog shampoo?
  • Only in the summer?

You may be able to figure out the cause and prevent it from happening again.

Often you will need the help of your veterinarian, especially if your dog has been itching for a while. A veterinarian will ask you lots of questions about your dog to develop a detailed clinical history.

Good to know: In some cases, the fruit may lead to itchy skin, like if your dog is allergic to figs

They will then carry out a full clinical examination- examining your pet from head to toe.

Sometimes they might suggest a swab sample to check for bacteria or yeast on the skin, or a hair pluck or skin scrape to check for mites.

There are blood tests and skin tests for allergen testing.

These can be helpful when trying to diagnose allergies, however, they are not 100% accurate.

The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is complicated, it is usually diagnosed based on the breed, history, and clinical signs that the dog is showing.

Extensive research has allowed veterinarians to have certain criteria to help them diagnose it(9).

A food allergy is diagnosed by doing an elimination diet.

An elimination diet can be home-cooked (but it is best to seek the advice of a veterinarian or animal nutritionist!) or a commercially bought hypoallergenic diet.

In simple terms, it involves feeding your dog a novel protein and a novel carbohydrate source, something which he hasn’t eaten before.

Ideally, the new diet is fed exclusively for at least 8 weeks (NO treats, NO flavored toys, and NO human food) before deciding if it has worked(10).

It takes a long time for food allergen particles to work their way out of your dog’s body, so it is important not to give up halfway through!

Remedies

Fleas, ticks, and mites are treated with individual anti-parasitic treatments, which could be a spot-on, tablet, or a treated collar for your dog. These might need to be repeated regularly throughout the year to keep your pet free from parasites.

Skin infections require a course of antibiotics or anti-fungal treatment, depending on the underlying cause.

The duration of treatment might range from a week in mild infections, to a few months, in the case of a severe skin infections. Your vet might also prescribe a medicated or soothing shampoo to help your dog’s sore skin.

It is important that the dog feels less itchy as soon as possible.

Often a vet will prescribe anti-histamines to help with mild allergies, and reduce the itch and redness in the skin.

Coconut oil might also be quite useful in healing your dog’s skin and reducing itching.

The best treatment for allergies is avoiding the offending allergen. However, this is not always easy!

In severe or chronic allergy cases, corticosteroids or immuno-suppressants such as cyclosporine or oclacitinib, might be necessary.

This help to stop the body from reacting to the allergen, therefore quickly reducing the itch.

They do carry certain risks and may have side effects if used long-term, therefore it is important to discuss treatment options carefully with your veterinarian.

Changing your dog’s diet to a hypoallergenic diet or adding certain supplements might also help, especially if he suffers from allergies or chronic skin problems.

Essential fatty acids (omega 3 and 6) as well as vitamins B, C, and E are important for healthy skin, supporting the immune system, and reducing inflammation.

Conclusion

We know that watching your dog constantly scratch can be very frustrating. With so many possible underlying causes, it is not always easy to figure out what is causing the itch!

It is better to try to stop the itch sooner rather than later, as your dog may quickly cause the skin to become red, sore and infected.

Fleas are a very common cause of itching in dogs, and you can check for these at home, using a flea comb to search your dog’s coat.

In many cases, you might need help from your veterinarian, especially if you think your dog has an allergy.

Hopefully, after reading this article you are better informed about all the possible causes of itching in dogs and the remedies too!

Frequently Asked Questions On Itchy Skin In Dogs

1. Why Is My Dog So Itchy But Has No Fleas?

If your dog keeps on itching but has no fleas, you might check his skin for any sign of bacterial or fungal skin infections.

If you cannot find any sign of skin infection, but your dog can’t stop itching over the body, contact your veterinarian.

2. What Are The Signs Of Mites On Dogs?

Some of the most common signs of mites in dogs include dandruff, hair loss, intense and excessive scratching, red skin, or any other form of visible skin irritation, and you may even spot the mites on the skin.

3. What Kills Mites On Dogs Instantly?

It is not uncommon for people to test home remedies first to get rid of mites.

The most popular solution is a vinegar-based solution of apple cider vinegar and warm water.

Before you apply any home remedy on your dog’s itchy skin, make sure that you talk with your veterinarian first.