Dogs are known for being loyal and lovable creatures, but sometimes they can be frustratingly itchy. If your dog is constantly scratching himself, licking its paws, and chewing at its skin, it can be tough to figure out why. There are actually several reasons your dog might be itching, and some of them are more serious than others.
Dogs are knownfor being loyal and lovable creatures, but sometimes they can be frustratinglyitchy. If your dog is constantly scratching himself, licking its paws, andchewing at its skin, it can be tough to figure out why. There are actuallyseveral reasons your dog might be itching, and some of them are more seriousthan others.
So, why does it happen? In this blogpost, we'll explore each of these causes and offer tips for how to help youritchy dog. Read on to learn more!
Before we go intothe causes of your dog's itchiness, it's important to understand why dogs needto itch in the first place. Dogs have a built-in mechanism for dealing withthings that bother their skin - they scratch!
When a dog scratches, he is actually performinga very natural and vital function. The act of scratching helps to remove deadskin cells, dirt, and other debris from the coat. It also stimulates theproduction of natural oils that keep the skin healthy.
In short, scratching is a regular andnecessary part of keeping your dog's skin healthy. However, when your dog isscratching more than usual, it could signify that something is wrong. Let'slook at some of the possible causes of excessive itchiness in dogs.
One possiblereason your dog is itching is an allergy. Just like people, dogs can beallergic to lots of different things in their environment, from pollen to dustmites to certain foods.
If you think your dog might have anallergy, the best thing to do is talk to your veterinarian. They can help youdetermine if allergies are the cause of your dog's itchiness and, if so, whatyou can do about it.
If it turns out that your dog is allergicto something in his environment, the good news is that there are plenty of waysto help. Allergy shots, grooming with special shampoos, and evenchanging your dog's diet can all help reduce the symptoms of allergies.
Another possiblereason your dog is itching is boredom or anxiety. Believe it or not, dogscan experience boredom just likepeople do. When they're bored, they often look for ways to entertain themselves- and one way to do that is to scratch.
If you think your dog might be scratchingbecause he's bored, try adding some new toys to his toy box. You might alsowant to increase the amount of exercise he's getting each day. After all, atired dog is a happy dog!
Anxiety can also cause your dog to scratch. Dogs with separation anxiety oftenlick or chew on themselves when their owners leave them alone. Unfortunately,it can be tough to tell how your dog acts when you're gone, but there are somesigns, such as increased clinginess or a change in eating habits.
If you come home and your dog is missingpatches of fur or has raw, red skin, they might have been licking or chewingwhile you were out.
If you think your dog might haveseparation anxiety, the best thing to do is talk to your veterinarian. They canhelp you develop a plan to reduce your dog's anxiety and make him feel morecomfortable when you're not around.
Some examples include:
● Giving your dog a toy filled withtreats that he can only access when you're gone
● Putting on a shirt that you'veworn around the house, so he smells your scent
● Leaving the TV or radio on whileyou're gone
● Getting another pet
Fleas are one ofthe most common causes of itchiness in dogs. These tiny pests can cause a lotof discomfort for your dog, not to mention they're pretty tough to get rid of!In short, fleas are tiny insects that feed on the blood of animals. They'remost commonly found in warm, humid climates - which is why they're so common inthe summer months.
Fleas can cause many problems for dogs,including skin irritation, hair loss, and even anemia. To check a dog forfleas, look for tiny black dots on the skin - these are the insects' droppings.You might also see small brown bugs crawling around on your dog's fur.
If your dog has fleas, a qualified groomercan help you eliminate them. There are also some over-the-counter fleatreatments available, but it's always best to talk to your vet before using anyof these products.
Next, let's talkabout skin conditions. Skin conditions are one of the most common reasons dogsscratch, and there are a number of different conditions that can affect yourdog.
Just like humans are susceptible toconditions like eczema and psoriasis, dogs can also develop skin problems.These conditions can be very itchy and uncomfortable for your dog, and they canbe tough to treat.
The treatment here is also similar tohumans: over-the-counter creams and lotions can help soothe the skin, and yourvet might also prescribe medication to help clear up the condition.
Hot spots are another common skin problemthat can affect dogs. A hot spot is a painful, red, inflamed area on the skinoften caused by an injury or allergies. Hot spots can be very itchy, and ifyour dog scratches or licks them, they can become infected.
If your dog isscratching more than usual, it's crucial to take him to the vet to rule out anymedical conditions. Once you've ruled out a medical condition, you can do manythings to help your dog feel more comfortable.
One option is to get a mobile dog groomer.A mobile dog groomer comes to your house and grooms your dog in a van ortrailer outfitted with all the necessary equipment. This can be a great optionif your dog doesn't like going to the groomer or if you don't have time to takehim yourself.
A mobile dog groomer can do severalthings to help your dog feel better, including:
Your dog mightitch more when his fur is longer because it's more likely to trap dust, pollen,and other allergens. A shorter coat will also be easier to keep clean and freeof these irritants. Depending on your dog breed, it might help to shave the furdown to a shorter length. This can be especially helpful in the summer whenit's hot and humid, as it will help your dog stay cooler.
If your dog isallergic to something in his environment, bathing him with a hypoallergenicshampoo can help remove the irritants from his fur. This can be a great way toreduce itchiness and make your dog more comfortable.
A mobile dog groomer can also give youadvice on caring for your dog's coat at home. They can recommend the best typeof shampoo and conditioner to use and show you how to brush and groom your dogproperly.
If your dog'snails are too long, they can actually irritate his skin and make him itch more.A mobile dog groomer can safely trim your dog's nails to the proper length. Agood rule of thumb is to trim the nails every four to six weeks.
The ears areanother common place for allergies and infections to occur. A mobile doggroomer can clean your dog's ears and remove any wax or debris that might becausing irritation.
Pawsh is a mobile dog groomingservice that comes to your home to groom your dog. We know how busylife can be, and we want to make it easy for you to keep your dog looking andfeeling his best.
When you book an appointment with Pawsh,one of our professional dog groomers will come to your home at the time of yourchoice. We'll bring everything we need to groom your dog, including a groomingkit, shampoo, conditioner, towels, and necessary tools.
All of ourgroomers are certified and insured. They have years of experience grooming alltypes of dogs, and they're passionate about making sure your dog is comfortablein its skin. Your dog will be in good hands with Pawsh, and you can restassured knowing that he's being treated by a professional.
We've designedour mobile app to be simple and easy to use. You can book an appointment,select the services you want, and pay all from your phone. You'll also be ableto track your dog's grooming appointments and see how often he's being groomed.It's a great way to make sure you're keeping on top of your responsibilities toyour pet.
Mobile doggroomers offer a convenient and stress-free way to keep your dog looking andfeeling his best. If your dog is scratching more than usual, consider booking anappointment with a mobile dog groomer today.
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Schedule a groom and get pet care in the comfort of your own home.
