Why is my dog so itchy? If you are asking yourself this question, then we have the answers for you. Here's why your dog may be dealing with itchy skin.

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Experts say that roughly 20% of dogs will have to deal with allergies at some point in their life, often leading to uncomfortable itchiness.

But allergies aren't the only reason why your beloved pet may be suffering from skin problems. To find the best treatment, you'll need to do a little bit of research and experimentation.

If you're asking, "Why is my dog so itchy?" you've come to the right place. Keep reading to find out about dog allergies and the other possible reasons for your pet's itchiness.

Why Is My Dog So Itchy?

Just like with humans, there are a bunch of different potential reasons why your dog is itchy. The goal is to hone in on the cause you believe is most probable and try to find a treatment solution designed to eliminate it.

If you're noticing consistent itchiness or skin problems with your dog, the vet is the best place to go to find answers. Itchiness can be frequent or infrequent, serious or harmless, so it's best to let the pros figure out the cause behind it when possible.

Potential Reasons for Skin Problems

You know your dog better than anyone else. If your dog is showing certain symptoms that lead you to believe one of these potential causes of itchiness seems likely to be the culprit, talk to your dog's vet to find out which steps to take to help treat it.

Environmental Allergies

As humans, allergy season often brings about itchy eyes and itchy throats. If your pup is allergic to things like pollen, dust, mold, or certain plants, their allergies may show up in the form of itchiness too. These allergies might pop up during certain months only, or even year-round.

When dogs are allergic to environmental factors, they often experience itchiness on their stomachs, faces, and paws.

Food Allergies

Does your dog seem to show allergic reactions to something all year, no matter the season? This could be a sign that they're allergic to some aspect of their food.

This could be an allergy to chicken, beef, dairy, or another food type. Food allergy itchiness will show up as itchiness in the armpits, face, paws, or stomach.

Luckily, a food allergy can be tested fairly easily. Test different dog foods to find one that seems to agree with your dog, paying attention to which ingredients are in each dog food to help you uncover the specific food allergy.

Flea Bites

All it takes is one flea to bite your pup for it to leave lasting itchiness.

Fleas can appear on any part of your dog, but there are spots that tend to attract them more than others. These include the pup's hind legs, rear end, and base of the tail.

Fleas can cause extreme itchiness for your dog, so try to spot the signs of a flea bite soon to offer your pet the best treatment.

Bacterial or Fungal Infections

An infection caused by bacteria or fungi needs to be looked at and treated by your dog's vet. Signs of this type of infection will likely be more than just itchiness and can include oozing at the infection site, loss of hair, inflamed skin, and a strong smell.

Treating Dog Allergies and Other Skin Problems

The first thing to note is that if your dog is exhibiting symptoms that seem troubling, like a swollen eye, face, or lips, or they have hives, take them to the local vet right away. The same is true if they're panting aggressively. These are signs of a serious allergic reaction and should be treated as soon as possible.

If your dog is showing more general signs of itchiness, here's a quick guide to how you can offer them the best treatment.

Shampoos and Oils

There are several different dog shampoos out there that target itchy skin symptoms and contain ingredients that help soothe this itchiness (like coconut oil). Shampoos and oils that are designed to treat itchiness aren't permanent solutions. The itchiness is likely to return if the cause of it isn't discovered, making shampoos more of a short-term solution.

Some dog grooming businesses may offer services that use these shampoos and oils.

Prescription Steroids

Prescription steroids will be prescribed by your dog's vet, so you'll need to schedule a visit if you think this treatment may be right for your dog.

While prescription steroids can be very effective in relieving your pet's itchiness, they also have side effects. These often include thirst, weight gain, increased urination, and changes in behavior (such as your dog showing more signs of aggression).

Antibiotics

Your vet will prescribe antibiotics to treat things like fungal or bacterial infections that are causing itchiness in your dog. You will need to stick to the directions for administering the antibiotic to your dog consistently and for the correct period of time so that the issue goes away completely.

You may also be able to ask for an anti-itch medication for your dog at the vet, depending on your dog's symptoms.

Special Diet

As mentioned earlier, if your dog is showing signs of a food allergy, doing a trial diet is the best way to determine what food is the culprit. Your vet can offer more advice on how to test different foods to find a dog food mix that agrees well with your pet.

Again, the best way to decide how to treat your dog's itchiness is by visiting the vet. They'll be able to run certain tests like skin scrapings or blood tests to find out exactly what's causing the itchiness, saving you time and money. They'll also be able to suggest a treatment that's just right for your unique pup.

Give Your Pup the Best Care Possible

Hopefully, now when you ask the question, "Why is my dog so itchy?" you have an idea of the next steps to take to help treat your sweet pet.

A part of this treatment can start with offering your dog the best grooming possible. At Bubbly Paws, your dog can receive the best wash and grooming around so they're ready to start adventuring again.

Why Is My Dog So Itchy? What You Need to Know