What Causes Skin Diseases in Dogs?

when a dog suffers from skin diseases, scratching and biting its body frequently, with symptoms such as redness, hair loss and dandruff on the skin, not only will the dog itself feel uncomfortable, but we will also be worried. So, what exactly causes skin diseases in dogs? A deep understanding of these causes will help us better prevent and treat skin diseases in dogs, and let them regain their health and happiness.

Infectious Factors

Bacterial Infections

There are various bacteria on the surface of a dog's skin. Under normal circumstances, these bacteria are in a balanced state and do not pose a threat to the dog's health. However, when the skin's barrier function is damaged, such as when there are cuts or scratches, or when the dog's own immunity declines, these originally harmless bacteria may multiply in large numbers and cause infections. Common bacteria that cause skin infections in dogs include staphylococcus and streptococcus. Skin diseases caused by bacterial infections usually show symptoms such as red and swollen skin, pustules, and in severe cases, ulcers and exudates. For example, if a dog accidentally scratches its skin while playing and it is not treated in time, it is prone to bacterial infection, which can then develop into skin inflammation.

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections are also one of the common causes of skin diseases in dogs. The most common ones are tinea caused by Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum, which is commonly known as "dog ringworm". Dog ringworm is highly contagious and can be transmitted not only among dogs but also to humans. After a dog is infected with fungi, round or oval hair loss areas will appear, with scales on the skin surface. The dog will feel extremely itchy and scratch the affected area frequently. The occurrence of dog ringworm is highly related to environmental humidity. Humid environments are conducive to the growth and reproduction of fungi. Therefore, dogs are more likely to get dog ringworm during the plum rain season or when the environment where the dog lives is poorly ventilated.

Parasitic Infections

Parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites are important causative factors of skin diseases in dogs. Fleas and ticks bite the dog's skin and suck blood, which can not only cause skin itching and redness, but also transmit other diseases. Mites are divided into Sarcoptes scabiei and Demodex canis, etc. Sarcoptes scabiei will dig tunnels on the dog's skin surface, causing severe itching and hair loss. In severe cases, the skin will thicken and form scabs. Demodex canis usually parasitizes in the dog's hair follicles and sebaceous glands. When the dog's immunity declines, Demodex canis multiplies in large numbers, which will cause symptoms such as erythema, papules and pustules on the skin. If skin diseases caused by parasitic infections are not treated in time, the dog will suffer a lot and even its physical health will be affected.

Allergic Factors

Dogs, like humans, can also have allergic reactions, and skin diseases caused by allergies are also relatively common clinically. The causes of allergies are diverse, and food allergies, contact allergies and inhalation allergies can all cause skin diseases in dogs. Some dogs are allergic to certain food ingredients, such as beef, chicken, wheat, etc, and may experience symptoms such as skin itching, redness and rashes after eating them. Contact allergies occur when dogs come into contact with certain irritating substances, such as shampoos, disinfectants, plastic toys, etc., which cause allergic reactions on the skin. Inhalation allergies are mainly caused by dogs inhaling allergens such as pollen, dust mites and mold spores, causing skin itching and inflammation. Skin diseases caused by allergies tend to recur, and owners need to observe carefully to identify the allergens and try to prevent the dog from coming into contact with them in order to effectively control the condition.

Nutritional Factors

The health of dogs is inseparable from a balanced nutritional intake. If a dog is malnourished for a long time and lacks certain vitamins, minerals or fatty acids, it will affect the normal metabolism and barrier function of the skin, thus increasing the risk of developing skin diseases. For example, a lack of vitamin A can cause dry and rough skin, and make it prone to dandruff; a lack of fatty acids can reduce the skin's moisture retention capacity, making the hair dry and dull. In addition, overfeeding a single type of food or feeding the dog poor-quality dog food may also lead to nutritional imbalance in the dog and cause skin diseases. Therefore, providing a nutritionally complete and balanced diet for dogs is one of the important measures to prevent skin diseases.

Environmental Factors

The environment in which a dog lives has an important impact on its skin health. A humid, dark and poorly ventilated environment is prone to breed bacteria, fungi and parasites, increasing the probability of a dog getting skin diseases. If the place where the dog lives has poor sanitation conditions and the dog kennel is not cleaned and the bedding is not changed for a long time, it will also provide a hotbed for the reproduction of bacteria and parasites. In addition, seasonal changes may also have an impact on a dog's skin. For example, in the hot summer, dogs are prone to sweating, and the humidity on the skin surface increases, which is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungi. In the cold winter, the air is dry, and the dog's skin is also prone to dryness and itching.

The causes of skin diseases in dogs are complex and diverse, involving infection, allergy, nutrition and environment. As dog owners, we should always pay attention to the skin health of our dogs, regularly conduct physical examinations and deworming for them, keep their living environment clean and dry, provide them with a nutritionally balanced diet, and avoid their contact with substances that may cause allergies. Only in this way can we help dogs stay away from the trouble of skin diseases and let them accompany us healthily and happily every day. When symptoms of skin diseases are found in dogs, they should be taken to the pet hospital in time for early diagnosis and treatment to help the dogs recover as soon as possible.