Why does the dog keep scratching? Tips to relieve his itching.

During the spring and summer months, the number of inquiries regarding itching, scratching, biting skin and fur increases. So let's take a look at the possible causes and tips on how to decipher what is causing your dog discomfort.

3 possible reasons why a dog scratches

1. Internal discomfort

Sometimes (and nowadays this is unfortunately the most common reason) skin itching originates from inside the body , as a manifestation of an allergy (to feed or a certain component of the diet, to the external environment (pollen, mites), as a reaction to chemical agents (vaccination, medication , deworming and flea control tablets , pipettes, collars ). we wanted our canine majesties to be healthy and well for as long as possible.

What can we do to help the dog:

• Choose feed made from quality ingredients, ideally from one source of well-digestible protein (chicken/turkey/fish), ideally flour-free, gently processed, containing omega 3 fatty acids.
• Wash the dog's skin more often from dust and pollen with a caring shampoo , use a caring cream or conditioner for additional skin nourishment.
• Limit the chemicals that enter the body and replace them with natural ones. Taking a holistic approach to your dog's health will pay off, even if you probably won't see the results right away.

2. Localized irritation

If your dog bites and licks his paws in particular, check if he has dry and cracked pads on his paws. Dog's paws are constantly affected : in the winter months by cold and salt, in the summer by dust, pollen and hot surfaces. You can relieve your dog with a natural paw balm , which, thanks to the content of a unique mixture of natural oils, beeswax, lavender and coconut oil, is very healing (I also use it for myself on cracked skin if necessary) and is safe even if the dog licks it off.

If the biting and licking of the paws persists, the problem is probably internal (see point 1.) and will not go away until you address the cause inside the body.

3. Sensitive skin

Some breeds are generally more sensitive to the skin . If your dog does not bite regularly and intensively, but you still see that he feels discomfort and tends to scratch himself, or if you know that he is irritated by external factors such as dust and pollen, you can help him by applying an itchy relief spray .

Last but not least, a possible psychological aspect should be mentioned, when scratching and biting is a manifestation of irritation and anxiety. In such a case, focus more on training and communication with your dog, on his sufficient enjoyment , enough of your attention towards him and mental well-being, which you can support with a calming spray.

Beware of scratching the eyes, ears and nose!

Pay attention if your dog intensively scratches his ears, eyes or nose.

If the dog scratches its ears, and perhaps also shakes its head, there will be a problem in the ears: either inflammation or, in the worst case, a foreign object (especially grass wasps in the summer).

If the dog scratches his eyes, give eye care in the form of eye drops. If he rubs his eyes, which additionally water significantly, this is probably a sign of an allergy.

If the dog rubs its nose intensively, it may react to the external environment (dust, pollen), when you relieve it by gently cleaning the nose with, for example, a damp towel. However, he may also have a problem inside his mouth, be it a toothache, abscess, gingivitis, which only a veterinary dentist can help confirm or deny.

In conclusion

When your dog scratches and bites, it tends to be psychologically difficult for you - you would like to know the cause and relieve the dog quickly. You are often the first to go to the vet and leave equipped with "derma granules," chlorhexidine shampoo, or anti-parasite tablets, all of which can make the problem worse. In veterinary medicine, the owner knows his dog best. It is up to you to critically evaluate the urgency of the problem in the context of your overall living and functioning. Did the problem arise suddenly, is it intense, does the dog have other symptoms of discomfort? Or is it a long-term, long-term problem, the dog is otherwise fine?

If you see that the problem is long-term , try to limit as much as possible the chemistry that goes into your dog's body and replace it with natural methods , and don't expect results right away. Your dog should feel better within 2-4 weeks. If the problem persists, consider adjusting your diet . Ultra-processed extruded granules can be an unpleasant burden for the dog's body and, due to their composition, they feed, for example, yeast, which can wreak havoc on the skin, paws and ears. More on that next time.

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