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Why do dogs scratch themselves? Puppies in particular often scratch themselves, or the dog scratches its ear after bathing. If dogs are constantly itching, it doesn't necessarily mean that they have a problem. But when is scratching a symptom of an illness? We show you what the causes are and what you can do about them.
The cause: Why does the dog have to scratch?
Before we talk about diseases, we must first distinguish between primary and secondary causes. In the primary cause of itching in dogs, the itching is present first and the dog only has other symptoms, such as skin changes, later. Examples of this would be parasites, food intolerances and stress. In the case of secondary causes, changes to the skin occur first and the itching only follows later, for example in the case of an insect bite, bacterial or fungal infestation or environmental allergy.
Many different causes and diseases can cause a dog to scratch constantly. We would like to introduce the most important ones here:
Ectoparasites (fleas, mites)
Fleas and mites usually cause severe itching. You can easily test at home whether your dog has fleas by examining his coat with a flea comb. Simply comb the dog with the comb and wipe off the hairs that are stuck in the comb with a handkerchief. If there are small, black-brown crumbs on the handkerchief, it may be flea feces. Next, you can drip some water on it and if the crumbs turn red, it is definitely a flea infestation on your dog. In this case, we recommend using our Flea-EX Powder or Flea-EX Spray.
Unfortunately, mite infestation is also not uncommon. Puppies with a weak immune system are particularly often affected. Typically, puppies that are constantly scratching and have hair loss (often in the face and eye area) are affected by the Demodex mite. Our Mite-STOP Powder or Mite-STOP Spray help to combat mites.
Insect bites
It's not just us humans who are stung by insects. Dogs also suffer from them and try to get relief by scratching the affected area. It should not be forgotten that dogs can also have an allergic reaction to an insect bite. Please keep a close eye on your dog's mucous membranes (they should still be pink and not turn pale), his general condition and the bite site. If it swells, the dog is in pain and seems very tired, then go to the vet immediately.
Ear infection
Dogs with an ear infection are constantly scratching their ears, shake their heads more frequently and also have a tilted head posture. There are various reasons why a dog may have an ear infection. The most common cause is ear mites, which in turn are a symptom of food intolerance. It is very important to determine the cause before using medication, as not all medications or natural remedies are suitable for all problems. If the vet has found ear mites, you can help your dog by cleaning his ears(ear cleaner) and applying our ear mite remedy.
Stress
Dogs scratch when they are excited or stressed. This is often an act of over-excitement. It only becomes problematic if the dog does it so often that it becomes routine and he injures himself.
If you have a very stressed dog that is constantly scratching or even biting, you should look for a competent dog trainer or behavior consultant who is familiar with the problem.
Inflamed anal glands
The anal glands are located to the right and left of the anus and produce a secretion that is excreted in healthy dogs when they defecate. This secretion serves to mark the territory. You could say that the dog communicates via the anal glands. If the feces are too soft or the dog has a disease, this secretion is not excreted and the anal glands become blocked. If they are not emptied manually by the vet or owner, they can become inflamed. When anal glands become inflamed, dogs understandably feel uncomfortable and want relief. However, they usually can't reach their bottom with their tongue, so they nibble and scratch their backsides (again, a skip action). If the dog's excrement is too soft and there is no other illness, medicinal moor can be a good support! Heilmoor optimizes the texture and consistency of faeces!
Food intolerance or allergy
If the dog scratches itself, especially if the dog scratches its ears and has often had an ear infection, you should urgently adjust the diet. Many dogs have an intolerance or allergy to certain foods. Dogs often react with gastrointestinal symptoms, followed by ear infections, itching on the body and paw nibbling. In order to determine exactly whether the dog has a food intolerance or not, an exclusion diet must be carried out.
In an exclusion diet, the dog should only be given one meat and one vegetable source for 8-10 weeks. Varieties that the dog has never eaten before are also best. We therefore recommend our pure wet food varieties: beef, goat & horse!
Environmental allergy
An environmental allergy can easily be overlooked or mistaken for a food intolerance. The symptoms are similar, except that dogs with environmental allergies often have red eyes and skin.
In order to be able to differentiate, you should observe exactly when the symptoms occur. All year round or every spring, for example? In addition, unlike with food intolerance, blood can be taken and tested for various environmental allergens.
Bacteria or fungi
Bacteria and yeasts are natural skin inhabitants, but if there are changes in the skin environment or the immune system is weakened (for example due to a food intolerance), these bacteria multiply and an infection can occur. Hot spots, a weeping and superficial inflammation of the skin, are typical.
You can tell very quickly whether the dog is infected with fungi, because the fungi cause limited hair loss and the dog often doesn't even have to scratch!
Diagnosis
In order to treat a disease or parasite infestation quickly, you should consult a vet or veterinary practitioner as soon as you notice any changes in the coat or skin or if the dog shows conspicuous behavior such as scratching or licking. There are various methods to make a diagnosis, such as skin swabs, tissue and hair samples and blood tests. Parasites can be diagnosed immediately. However, if the vet has to send skin samples or a blood test to the laboratory, it usually takes a few days.
Therapy
There are various preparations and treatment options that can be used if the dog is scratching. Once the cause has been found, you can work specifically on solving the problem so that the dog (hopefully) never has problems again. The most commonly used remedies for itching in dogs include shampoos, creams, sprays and even tablets. In the event of a parasite infestation, please ensure that the dog and the surrounding area are treated as quickly as possible.
If you notice that the dog is scratching due to stress, we recommend that you consult a competent dog trainer or behavior consultant. This is because it is important to find and eliminate the factors causing the stress.
Natural remedies for itching in dogs
Natural remedies can also be used to treat itching in dogs. It is particularly important to support the skin during the shedding period. In addition, dogs can also suffer from a lack of nutrients if they have the wrong diet and their skin becomes very dry and flaky.
For these reasons, we have developed two products that support and care for the skin. Our Coat Harmony Vital Powder contains brewer's yeast, spirulina, rose hip peel and milk thistle seeds, with valuable B and C vitamins, ideal for coat, skin and the immune system. Valuable Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are also important! You can find these in our Fellharmonie feed oil, with salmon, hemp and evening primrose oil.
A feed supplement with coconut oil for dogs is also always suitable for supporting the change of coat. You can use this both internally and externally.
Conclusion
There are various reasons why dogs scratch. From parasites, stress, food intolerances to a bacterial disease, anything is possible. However, it is always important to find the cause first instead of just treating the symptoms.
You should also make sure that your dog has a good and balanced diet. Because if your dog has a strong immune system, it is less susceptible to diseases and parasites.
