How can I relieve my dog's itching and its constant scratching

In the late night, in the silent room, you, who were originally sleeping quietly, are suddenly awakened by a "rustling" scratching sound. Getting up and taking a look, you see your beloved dog curled up in the corner, constantly scratching its body with its hind legs, or desperately scratching its ears and belly with its front paws, and its eyes are full of pain and irritability. Those scratches seem to also tug at the owner's heart, making one feel both distressed and anxious. A dog scratching itself constantly due to itching is a distressing scene that many pet owners have experienced. To help the dog get rid of this discomfort, we need to carefully analyze and find the reasons behind the itching, and take scientific and effective measures to relieve it.

There are complex reasons behind a dog's frequent scratching, involving parasites, skin diseases, allergic reactions, environmental factors, and nutritional problems. Parasite infections are common "culprits" causing a dog's itching. External parasites such as fleas and lice will parasitize among the dog's fur. By biting and sucking blood, their saliva can trigger an allergic reaction on the dog's skin, causing a strong sense of itching. Imagine a once lively and lovely puppy being restless because of fleas on its body, constantly rubbing against the ground or shaking its body frantically, trying to get rid of these "little devils". Anyone seeing this will feel sorry for it. In addition, mite infections, such as sarcoptic mites and demodex mites, can also make the dog suffer. A dog infected with sarcoptic mites will show symptoms such as hair loss, scabbing, and thickening of the skin on parts like the ears, elbows, and abdomen, and the itching is intense. Demodex mite infections can lead to local or systemic hair loss, and the skin will develop red spots, pustules, and an inflammatory reaction along with the itching.

Skin diseases are also important factors causing a dog's itching. Fungal infections, such as ringworm in dogs, can make circular or oval hair loss patches appear on the dog's skin. The skin in the hair loss area is red, itchy, and accompanied by a large amount of dandruff. Bacterial infections should not be underestimated. After bacteria such as staphylococci and streptococci invade the dog's skin, they can cause skin redness, pustules, and ulceration, and the itching will follow. Some dogs will suffer from atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin disease related to genetics and immunity, which is manifested as skin itching, red spots, and lichenification. The condition is prone to recurrence and seriously affects the dog's quality of life.

Allergic reactions are also common causes of a dog's itching. Dogs may be allergic to environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and mold. In spring and autumn when the pollen is floating, or when there is a lot of dust at home, the dog will have symptoms such as skin itching, red and swollen eyes, and sneezing. Food allergies are also common. Certain protein components, such as beef, chicken, dairy products, and even grains, may be allergens. When a dog eats food containing allergenic components, symptoms such as itching, red spots, and hair loss will appear on the skin in a short time. Some dogs are allergic to dog beds made of chemical fiber materials, plastic food bowls, or some brands of pet shampoos. After contact, symptoms such as itching and rashes will quickly appear on the skin.

Environmental factors also play an important role in a dog's itching problem. An overly humid environment is conducive to the growth of fungi and mites, increasing the risk of skin diseases in dogs. An overly dry environment will make the dog's skin dry and flaky, causing itching. In addition, bathing the dog too frequently or using inappropriate bathing products will damage the oil protective layer on the skin, leading to dryness and itching of the skin.

In addition to the above reasons, the dog's own nutritional status is also closely related to itching. A lack of key nutrients such as vitamin A, B vitamins, and Omega-3 fatty acids will affect the normal metabolism and health of the skin, resulting in dry and itchy skin. Some owners feed their dogs a single and nutritionally unbalanced diet for a long time, which is likely to cause such problems.

After finding the reasons for the dog's itching, targeted relief measures need to be taken. If the itching is caused by a parasite infection, timely deworming both internally and externally is the key. Use pet-specific deworming drugs and accurately calculate the dosage according to the dog's weight and age. Common external deworming drugs include drops and sprays, and internal deworming drugs include tablets and granules. After deworming, pay attention to observing the dog's reaction. If there are discomfort symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, consult a veterinarian in a timely manner. At the same time, deworm the dog regularly, generally once a month for external deworming and once every three months for internal deworming to prevent parasite infections.

For itching caused by skin diseases, treatment needs to be carried out according to the specific cause. If it is a fungal infection, antifungal drugs are usually needed, such as topical ointments, lotions, and oral antifungal tablets. During the treatment, use the drugs strictly according to the doctor's instructions and do not stop the medication at will to avoid the recurrence of the disease. For bacterial infections, antibiotics are needed for treatment, and also follow the doctor's instructions to ensure sufficient dosage and treatment course. For chronic skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, the treatment cycle is long, and multiple methods such as drug treatment, skin care, and allergen control may be needed.

When the dog itches due to an allergy, the first thing to do is to isolate the allergen. If it is a food allergy, immediately stop feeding the potentially allergenic food and choose hypoallergenic prescription food or dog food with a single protein source. For dogs with environmental allergies, in seasons when pollen and dust mites are prevalent, try to reduce the outdoor time, keep the indoor environment clean, and regularly use an air purifier and a vacuum cleaner. If necessary, use antihistamine drugs, corticosteroid drugs, etc. under the guidance of a doctor to relieve the allergic symptoms.

Improving the environmental conditions also helps relieve the dog's itching. Keep the indoor environment clean and dry, and regularly clean the dog's bedding, toys, and other supplies. When bathing, use a mild and hypoallergenic pet-specific shampoo, and control the bathing frequency. Generally, it is appropriate to bathe once a week in summer and once every two or two weeks in winter. After bathing, dry the hair thoroughly to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi due to moisture.

In terms of diet, provide the dog with a nutritionally balanced diet to ensure that it intakes enough vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Under the guidance of a veterinarian, appropriately supplement the dog with some nutritional supplements, such as vitamin tablets and fish oil, to improve skin health.

A dog scratching itself due to itching is a "distress signal" it sends to the owner. Every scratch tugs at the owner's heart. As the owner, what we need to do is to accompany the dog through this uncomfortable time with patience and love. During the treatment, give it more gentle strokes and comfort, and give it delicious snacks as a reward when it cooperates with the treatment. Watching the dog gradually stop scratching and regain its former vitality and cheerfulness, all the efforts will be extremely worthwhile. Because in the days of accompanying the dog, their health and happiness are our greatest blessing.