Common Skin Complaints in Dogs

We all know how uncomfortable and infuriating an itch can be, especially one just out of reach. Imagine how annoying it must for a pet, who can’t tell you how uncomfortable it feels. If you’ve noticed persistent scratching in your dog, you might think fleas are to blame. While this could indeed be the case, the are many reasons why your dog is feeling itchy and here are some of them:

Allergies

A very common cause of itchiness is an allergy to something. It might be an allergy to flea bites, a type of food or something in the environment. Fleas are nuisance that all pet owners at some point have come into contact with. An animal allergic to flea bites is hypersensitive with just one bite being enough to send them into a frenzy of scratching and chewing. Environmental allergies include dust mites, pollen and even grass. Food allergies are much less common and brought on by a hypersensitive reaction to a protein.

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Sores

The medical term for itchy skin is pruritus and this can be caused by parasites such as mites and bacterial infections. Dogs are often prone to a type of dermatitis, referred to as hot spots which can rapidly spread and cause great discomfort. These sores will be red and moist or sticky looking. Get your dog checked over by the vet. For the alleviation of symptoms in Itchy Dogs, visit http://www.stinky-stuff.co.uk/product-cat/dog-remedies/ for natural relief from many skin problems.

Yeast Infection

If your dog is particularly scratching around the ears and paws, then they could be suffering from a yeast infection. This is a problem seen more often during the warmer months, especially if it’s humid as well. Yeast might also be responsible for any bum-shuffling your dog is up to. Yeast is a fungus and is most often found on dogs in their ears, armpits, anus, jowls, paws and any other skin creases. You might notice your dog’s ears are a bit smelly. It’s not usually a problem unless your dog is allergic to yeast or it starts to grow uncontrollably.

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Mange

Mange is caused by tiny mites and comes in three types – Sarcoptic (scabies), Cheyletiella (dandruff) and Demodectic. The first type is highly contagious between dogs and humans, the second type looks like dandruff but on close inspection you’ll the mites moving, and the third type is common in puppies, passed on from the mother. It’s an extremely itchy condition resulting in many dogs scratching until their skin is raw.

Bacterial Infections

Many such infections are a secondary result of excessive scratching and chewing causing lesions in the skin. Signs to look out for include bumps in the skin or open sores, incessant licking of the area, shaking the head or scratching at ears with a yellowy green discharge.

Dry Skin

More common during winter months, your dog might be itching due to dry skin. If you notice flaky skin and a dull coat it could be down to a number of reasons including a nutrient deficiency, excessive bathing using harsh products, under grooming, or a dry climate and air conditioning/heating. Try introducing natural products and make sure your dog’s diet contains omega-3 fatty acids.