Dogs Scratching: How to Stop Your Dog from Itching!
Dogs, just like humans, scratch their skin when they feel itchy. But unlike us who react to allergens with nasal symptoms and hives, dogs exhibit skin or gastrointestinal reactions. There are different factors on why our fur babies get their allergies. Here are some:
Inhalant and contact allergies: Pollen from grasses, trees, wildflowers, dust particles and moulds are among the substances that can cause allergic reactions in dogs, just as they do in humans. The timing of the reaction can help in diagnosing these allergies. Is this something that happens all year? This may be mould or dust. When the response is seasonal, pollen could be to blame.
Food allergies: Most of the time, dogs' itching problems come from their diet. It may depend on the kind of food that we give them throughout their entire existence. For example, most dogs are allergic to grains in which most if not all dog food available in the market are made of grains or have grains in it, which causes itchy red skin. This is why it is important to select premium and grain-free dog food for our beloved pets.
Flea, tick or insect bite: This can cause the skin to turn red, dry or irritable. Your dog may exhibit severe tingling or clawing and can have hotspots on the skin. These are examples of allergic reactions of our pets from insect bites, ticks, fleas or even termites. Such chemical reactions are usually caused by substances in the flea's secretions instead of the insect themselves. You should also pay attention to the dog spider bite symptoms, which includes muscle pain and cramping, diarrhoea, vomiting, tremors and agitation.
Bacterial hypersensitivity: Microbial susceptibility happens whenever our pet's immune system reacts inappropriately to a certain kind of bacteria called Staphylococcus (Staph). These bacteria on the skin are already present and considered opportunistic pathogens, and when our dog's immune system has compromised, they react badly. Bacterial hypersensitivity appears to be common in dogs with hypothyroidism, inhalant and/or flea allergy. Some visible symptoms include atopic dermatitis, pus exuding from the site of broken skin and red, circular lesion with a crusty edge and hair loss inside.
What You Can Do
Aside from topical and oral medications that the vets can give, there are also home remedies and lifestyle changes that you can give to your dog to ease these allergies.
Give your dog a balanced diet. The ideal way is to follow a rotational meal for our pets, similar to ours. We consume a different variety of meals each day today than yesterday. This allows us to acquire a diverse range of nutrients while also avoiding tedium from consuming the same food repetitively.
You can give your dog a chamomile and green tea soak. Make a chamomile or green tea rinse for your dog if her skin is itching and red. These herbs can immediately soothe and relieve inflamed skin irritation.
Avoid grain-based dog food that is available in the market. Use a premium quality hypoallergenic grain-free dog food or just simply Make your dog food from scratch. It is a great way to control the ingredients your dog consumes. It is quite expensive, but it works the best.
Maintain a clean, dry and hygienic place for your pets. Dark and moist places tend to be perfect breeding grounds for harmful pathogens and bacterias. Hence it will make the hair of your pet dump and will eventually form mats that will attract parasites like ticks and fleas.
Disinfect their crates regularly. If your dog stays in a crate, see that the area your pets sleep and lie down in does not have opportunistic bacteria that may trigger and cause potential bacterial infection. As crates have limited space for dogs to operate, especially when the call of nature strikes in dogs, poo and pee are the perfect recipes for breeding harmful pathogens and bacterial organisms that can eventually harm our beloved pooch.
Give them a quality bath every week and use a hypoallergenic soap and shampoo that is effective for ticks and fleas. Bathe your pet once a week to lessen the amount of allergy-causing dander (shed old skin cells) that may trigger dry skin and lead to itchiness. It is best to use a dog shampoo that has been suggested by your vet or another animal care professional for stubborn parasites like ticks and fleas.
Natural Remedies
We humans like using home and natural remedies for our skin as nature have provided us with lots of options to nourish and ease skin irritations. The same goes for our beloved dogs; there are also natural ingredients that we can use to help them mend their irritated skin. However, always take caution before incorporating any of these natural remedies on your dog's skin. Always seek your veterinarian's recommendation before giving your dog anything. Here are some of them:
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is widely used for its healing properties. While humans benefit from this oil, you can also use this in certain dogs' conditions. Coconut oil contains saturated fats and other compounds that have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, which can be effective in helping dogs with skin allergies and infections.
CBD oil: Cannabidiol is popular amongst humans due to its wide variety of therapeutic effects. But unbeknownst to many, many dog owners give their dogs CBD softgels, tinctures, treats and other CBD infused products not only for pain relief but also for managing skin conditions. According to studies, CBD oil has positive effects on skin health due to its ability to interact with the endocannabinoid system. It is said that CBD can provide direct and targeted relief on the skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Great for salads and other food, this kind of vinegar has earned its popularity for numerous reasons in the world of home remedies. It has antiseptic and antifungal nature, which can help relieve the skin allergies of dogs. Its acetic acid contents not only can kill harmful bacteria but can also prevent them from multiplying.
Aloe Vera: This commonly used plant is known for its moisturising and powerful healing properties. Many human products contain aloe vera as it has been proven to be beneficial in our skin. Dogs, on the other hand, might also benefit from this plant. Not only does it reduce redness on our beloved pet's skin, but it can also relieve uncomfortable heat away from their skin.
Oatmeal: Oats is a common filling breakfast and also incredibly nutritious food. Not only is it rich in antioxidants and fibre, but it also has anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the skin, oatmeal acts as a protectant, helping soothe skin irritation and itchiness. Dogs can benefit from oatmeal, primarily when used as a bath which helps lock in the moisture and prevents dryness.
