Why Is My Dog Itchy (and How to Fix It!)

An itchy pooch is an uncomfortable pooch, but how can you help if you don’t know what’s wrong? Learn the most common reasons your dog might be itchy and what you can do to help!

You find your dog scratching and biting their skin frantically—you tell them to stop, but they’re back at it a minute later. Eventually, you notice sores and bald patches starting to form. Sound familiar? Having an itchy dog is terrible. You know they’re uncomfortable but don’t know how to help. Find out the top causes of itchiness in dogs and how you can provide relief!

Allergies

Environmental, food, and other allergies are the most common culprits when your dog is itchy. Dogs can be allergic to many of the same things humans are, including dust, pollen, mold, grass, and more. When it comes to food, the most common triggers are:

Beef
Chicken
Eggs
Soy
Dairy
Wheat
Corn

Pups with sensitive skin will also get itchy because of contact dermatitis. This happens when their skin comes in contact with a substance, such as soap or shampoo, that causes irritation or an allergic reaction.

Nutritional Gaps in Their Diet

Your dog’s diet should give them the nutrients they need for healthy skin and coat. Specifically, the diet must be rich in fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins A, C, and E, biotin, zinc, copper, and more! If your pup isn’t getting the right amounts of these nutrients, then it could wreak havoc on their skin.

Parasites

Several parasites can make your dog scratch, including fleas and mites (aka Sarcoptic mange). Fleas bite your dog and cause an allergic reaction that makes them itchy. Mites don’t have to bite—they just have to touch your pup’s skin—to cause a reaction that makes your dog scratch.

Stress and Anxiety

Dogs that experience chronic stress or anxiety might scratch a lot. This can be because scratching is a stress response, but also because stress impacts the nervous system, which can trigger itching.

Infections

No matter what’s causing your dog’s itchiness, regular scratching can lead to skin infections. Unfortunately, this can make your poor pup even itchier.

Beyond that, ear infections cause head shaking and ear scratching. Dogs who love swimming or have long, folded ears are more prone to ear infections, but any pup can get them.

Giving Your Dog Relief

Say goodbye to itchy, flaky skin and hello to a shiny coat and healthy, moisturized skin! PointPet’s Vegan Anti-Itch Support is specially formulated to help maintain healthy skin and coat, support seasonal allergy relief, soothe the skin, and reduce itching and scratching. Formulated with premium ingredients, these skin support supplements contain critical nutrients like biotin and vitamin E.

They don’t contain common allergens like wheat, soy, or corn, and they may even help to promote healthy gut flora. What’s more, they’re made with delicious all-natural flavors that no dog can resist!

Visit PointPet to learn more about Vegan Anti-Itch Support and other great products.