Itchy skin

Causes

There are many causes of itchy dogs.  One of the most common seen and easily treated cause is fleas.
Fleas can cause itch in any dog but its also worth remembering that a smaller number of dogs are allergic to fleas - for these dogs just a single flea can set off an intense itch.

Other common causes for dog's itching are:

• Mites,
• Environmental Allergies
• Food Allergies
• Bacterial
• Yeast overgrowth
• Local irritations (e.g. from licking)

Signs

 Scratching, licking and chewing are all common signs of itch in dogs and can have a variety of causes.    

Once the scratching behaviour becomes established ongoing itching of the area can lead to a rash, crusts or hair loss.
The microflora of the skin can be affected by the damage leading to an infection from overgrowth of either bacteria or yeasts.

Occasionally, the affected area appears as a patch of oozing, reddened skin called a hotspot.

Your vet will focus on identifying and treating the underlying cause. Just like when we have itchy skin the use of a specific product to moisturise and soothe the skin can help your pet to feel more comfortable.
We recommend DOUXO^® Calm. 

1. Ask your vet - in many dogs it helps to identify the cause of the problem and treat the underlying condition. 
2. Help settle the skin condition by using a high-quality shampoo or mousse targeted to soothe the irritation and to restore the skin barrier. Choose special formulas for irritated, itchy and sensitive skins and look for specific ingredients that are effective at restoring the skin's natural barrier function.
3. Regularly groom and brush your dog and check the skin for areas of irritation. Clean skin folds, around the mouth, the outer ear and between the toes as these areas are commonly affected areas in pets with itchy skin and allergies. Feed your pet a high-quality, balanced diet.  You can supplement with essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals if recommended by your vet. Sometimes, your vet may prescribe a special hypoallergenic diet that test's to see if your dog has a food allergy.
4. Schedule regular check-up consultations with your veterinarian to monitor your dog's skin condition.
5. You can also take pictures of your dog to show the progress of the skin condition over time.
6. Keep your pet free from parasites: treat against fleas, ticks and worms on a regular basis.