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causes and remedies, home and otherwise

If your dog is constantly scratching, the cause could be the summer. Primavera e itching in dogsin fact, they go hand in hand: pollen, hay and other factors can create various nuisances for our four-legged friend, especially itching and allergic symptoms.

Before figuring out how help the dog who is always scratchinghere are what are the reasons for itching.

What are the causes of itching in dogs?

Among the possible causes that can lead the dog to scratch, there are:

  • Insect bites, such as mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, mites or other parasites;
  • Allergic reaction to food, environmental substances (such as dust, pollen, mould) or body care products.
  • Infections fungal, bacterial, or viral skin;
  • Illnesses of the skin, such as atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and contact dermatitis;
  • Stress and anxiety;
  • Internal health problemssuch as kidney disease, liver disease or diabetes.

The importance of a diagnostic test

It is important to take your dog for a visit to the vet if the scratching persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as hair loss, redness, skin lesions, abrasions or changes in the behavior of your four-legged friend, who may, for example, lick the fur or shake his body constantly.

The expert will be able to perform diagnostic tests to understand if the itching is caused by food allergy, allergic dermatitis or something else, and prescribe the appropriate treatment to relieve the itching on the dog’s skin.

How to relieve dog itching? Consulting the doctor!

In case of established symptoms and evident annoyance on the part of the dog for this itching sensation it is useful to consult a veterinarian: the latter will be able to prescribe and administer antihistamines which will immediately alleviate the respiratory problems and skin discomforts of our cute quadruped.

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If, on the other hand, allergies are a constant in our dog’s life, it is also possible to make aspecific immunotherapy o desensitizing: this treatment must be done every year in the spring period and aims to prevent the onset of allergic symptoms.

If instead the itching is mild, but persistent, Your vet may recommend the use of an antihistamine. Just as it happens for us, even for animals this type of medicine is a panacea against seasonal allergies. If immunotherapy aims to stimulate the immune system to fight the allergens at their source, antihistamines serve to relieve respiratory and skin symptoms in the course of allergy.

The choice of the antihistamine (and the association with a cortisone) it is up to the veterinary surgeon who, possibly, will be able to advise us on the use of medicines that we already have at home.

Warm bath and shampoo against itching in dogs caused by allergies

If the itching is minor and occasional, try giving your dog relief by giving him a nice warm bath with a antiallergic detergent and specific against this annoying problem.

Do not wash with the direct jet on the fur, but let the animal relax in the tub and gently rub the skin, even with the help of a delicate ad hoc comb. Then dry with hot air, but at a moderate speed, so as not to irritate the skin.

Itching caused by parasites? Here’s how to react

Spring also brings with it those typical animals of the season, such as ticks and fleas.

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So the first thing to do is understand if the trigger of the itching is the presence of parasites and in that case, the only possible remedy, which will quickly give relief to the dog, is the flea collar or the application of ad hoc pesticides.

In any case, consult your veterinarian, who will be able to advise you on the best remedy for your furry friend.

Avoid over-the-counter products against itching in dogs

While this seems like the easiest solution, avoid over-the-counter itch relievers, which they often are too generic and totally useless.

Indeed, it is necessary understand what caused it precisely the itch, with the help of the vet and choose the right treatment based on the result.

Article reviewed by:

Joseph Terlizzi
Veterinary doctor