What to do for a dog that won’t stop itching? A Complete Guide

Occasional or mild itching by itself isn’t too serious, but it could be a sign of a more serious condition when accompanied by other symptoms, Rosenberg says. He recommends that pet parents consult their veterinarian or seek the help of a veterinary dermatologist “if there’s itching that’s chronic and the dog is breaking its skin and that results in skin infection. Or if the dog is just uncomfortable, itching to the point where they can’t sleep at night.”

We all know the feeling of an itch that won’t go away. Whether it’s due to a bug bite, dry skin, or an allergic reaction, itching can be a real pain. But what happens when your dog won’t stop scratching, licking, or chewing on himself?

Oatmeal is non-toxic, so there is no need to worry if your pet licks it off. Alternately, you can purchase dog shampoo with oatmeal as an ingredient, Richter says. Bathing your pet with an oatmeal shampoo has the added benefit of removing potential allergic triggers, like pollen and mold spores, that get trapped in the fur. Lavender, Tea Tree, and Calendula Flower Oils

Aloe vera can be applied topically to soothe your dog’s skin and promote healing. “Aloe is a wonderful healing agent,” Richter says. “It cools the skin and takes down the redness.”

She cautions that tea tree oil can be toxic if ingested, so it’s important to watch your dog to make sure he doesn’t lick it off and always dilute it before use. Concentrated tea tree oil can be quite dangerous for dogs. If you’ve never used essential oils on your dog before, consider doing a patch test with a small, diluted drop to ensure he doesn’t have a bad reaction. Aloe Vera

3 Steps to Solve Your Dog’s Itching Problem

It’s important to remember that there are treatments available and preventative steps you can take for every single reason we’ve listed above — your four-footer will likely be A-OK (though you may need your vet’s help)!

There are three simple steps to take to resolve the problem:

Examine. We’re not expecting lab coats and rubber gloves, but you’ll need to be thorough! Is it a single spot that is itchy (such as their ears or paws) or all over discomfort? Where is the itchiness focused?

Investigate. When did the scratching start? Has it been a gradual increase or sudden? Can you determine any changes that happened in your dog’s day-to-day life or environment? And are there any other changes in behavior or symptoms that are unusual? Even if you don’t think it’s related, make a note of it anyway.

Treat. Attempting to soothe symptoms yourself is fine for a few days, but please be cautious. There are many at-home remedies recommended online that are simply not effective — some are even potentially harmful. If your pup’s itching doesn’t start to go away within a few days, get your vet’s help.

Itchy skin is a common problem among pooches, and it often sparks a number of the same questions among owners. We’ll try to answer a few of the most common canine skin questions below.

Treatment for Your Dog’s Compulsive Scratching, Licking, and Chewing

Because there are so many reasons why dogs chew or scratch, be sure to check with your veterinarian as soon as you notice a problem. The veterinarian will help figure out the cause of the behavior and determine the best treatment plan. Depending on the cause of your dog’s compulsive behavior, this might include:

Eliminating parasites. There are a variety of flea and tick products that your veterinarian can recommend. Additionally, if your dog’s biting or chewing problems are caused by fleas, be sure to wash your dog’s bed and vacuum your carpeting and upholstered furniture on a regular basis to reduce the likelihood of re-infestation. You also need to treat any other animals in the household.

Changing foods. If food allergies are making your dog itch, eliminating potential trigger foods can make a huge difference. What surprises many pet owners is that grains are actually uncommon causes of food allergies – most pets are allergic to animal proteins! Your vet may recommend a special diet if this appears to be the case. The addition of fatty acid supplements to your pet’s regular food can also help address dry skin issues and keep your dog’s coat healthy.

Using medication. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications to treat underlying problems contributing to your dog’s persistent scratching. Additionally, your vet may recommend the use of topical or systemic antibiotics, steroids, or anti-itch products to treat existing hot spots or skin infections.

Preventing the behavior. Because compulsive behaviors can cause serious damage and affect your dog’s quality of life, it’s important to do your best to stop your dog from chewing, licking, or scratching too much. Some ideas include using bitter sprays to discourage licking, having your dog wear a special collar to prevent access to hot spots, or keeping your dog close by your side when you’re home.

Addressing anxiety or boredom. In some cases, compulsive biting, chewing, or licking develops in response to fear, stress, or inadequate stimulation. To reduce this likelihood, be sure your dog receives enough exercise, attention, and love. It can also be helpful to train your dog to chew on toys or bones to relieve stress as a replacement for inappropriate chewing or licking behaviors.

Top 3 Remedies To Stop Dog Itching Fast

Are you going crazy listening to your dog scratching their ears all night long? Have you about had it with your dog licking their paw nonstop? At your wit’s end over your dog biting their own tail?

Compulsive scratching, licking, and chewing behaviors are quite common in dogs and have a variety of causes. They can also be harmful. One of the first signs your dog has a problem might be the development of a “hot spot” — a red, wet, irritated area that arises from persistent chewing, licking, scratching or rubbing. Although hot spots, or “acute moist dermatitis,” can occur anywhere on your dog’s body, they are most often found on the head, chest, or hips. Because dogs often incessantly scratch, lick, or bite at an area once it becomes irritated, hot spots can become large and incredibly sore rather quickly.