Help, my dog ​​is itchy!

Itchiness, we all know how incredibly annoying that can be. Especially at this time of year, when the mosquitoes are buzzing around and biting you all over at night, the itching is sometimes very irritating. Our dogs can also suffer from itchiness, so today I am devoting a blog to this: Help, my dog ​​is itchy!
Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian, the information in this blog is based on information that I have collected myself over the years. This blog is purely informative. If your dog suffers from itchiness, always consult with your vet to find a solution. Don’t mess about yourself!

Causes of itching in dogs

There are several reasons why your dog may be itchy. Here are some of the most common causes:

Allergies
Food intolerance: Some dogs may react to certain ingredients in their food, often these are specific animal proteins. Common reactions occur with the following proteins: beef, chicken and salmon. An elimination diet can provide clarity and a solution.
Environmental allergies: Think of pollen, mold and dust.
Contact allergies: This happens when the dog’s skin comes into contact with something it is allergic to, such as certain shampoos or cleaning products. The ingredients of some cleaning products in particular can be very irritating to the dog’s skin, and if, for example, your dog lies on the floor a lot, a lot of the product you used on the floor can get on its skin and coat. Mild cleaning agents and, for example, a steam cleaner are a better option.

Parasites
Fleas: One of the most common causes of itching. Even a single flea can cause severe itching.
Ticks: Their bite can not only cause itching but also transmit diseases.
Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance to humans, but can also cause nuisance to dogs. Although mosquito bites are often considered harmless, they can cause several problems in dogs.
Mites: Cause, among other things, scabies, which can be very itchy.

Skin infections
Bacterial infections: Can be caused by scratching and biting the skin. Hot spots, also known as acute moist dermatitis, are irritated, inflamed areas on the skin often caused by bacterial infections.
Fungal infections: Such as ringworm, which can cause itching and skin problems. Despite the name, ringworm is not caused by a worm, but by fungi belonging to the dermatophytes.

Dry skin
Can be caused by climate changes, such as dry air in winter, or by bathing too often and using the wrong shampoo.

Dirty skin
This is often underestimated: a dirty coat can also cause severe itching! It certainly doesn’t hurt to bathe your dog occasionally with a special dog shampoo to remove dirt from the coat. Be honest: if you don’t wash your hair for a while, your scalp will start to itch, right?

What to do about itchiness?

If your dog is itchy, there are several steps you can take to provide relief and determine the cause:

Check for parasites
Check for fleas or ticks and, if necessary, treat your dog with suitable anti-flea and tick products.

Visit the vet
The vet can help identify the cause of the itching and prescribe appropriate treatment. This can range from anti-allergy medications to antibiotics for infections.

Nutrition
Consider an elimination diet to determine if food intolerances are the cause. You do this in consultation with your veterinarian, or better yet: an animal nutritionist.

Skin care
Use a mild dog shampoo and wash neither too often nor too little. I wash my dogs about 3-4 times a year and have found that this is fine for them. Not every dog ​​is the same in this regard, so consult with your groomer if necessary.

Dietary supplements
Consider nutritional supplements such as fish oil and probiotics that can support skin health. Brands like DogSuppy have special probiotics for use for itching (affiliate link).

Environmental adjustments
Keep the house clean and free of dust and mites, and wash your dog’s bedding regularly. I use a steam cleaner myself, which I use to clean the floor but also the dog’s beds between washes. The high temperature of the steam kills bacteria, fungi, mites and other microorganisms that can cause itching.

Some of the above solutions are great to keep as a regular routine of course: check regularly for parasites (you can also do this while cuddling on the couch!), skin care and a clean house are also always a good idea.
Goodluck!