Eating, sleeping, and scratching are pretty much all a dog does in a day. Too much scratching, however, is more than jut a lazy gesture. It can be the sign of a much more serious problem that can badly affect your pooch’s health. There are a lot of different reasons for excessive dog scratching. Recognizing the cause will help you determine the best course of action.
If you notice that your dog has bumps on the skin; a wet, red irritated sore spot; or a thick, greasy substance on his ears the problem is more serious than the occasional flea. Red, irritated sores are known as “hot spots” and result from too much licking and biting in one area. These can appear anywhere on your dog’s body and run the risk of becoming very large and very sore.
The changing of the seasons may be the cause of dog scratching. In the cooler months, some dogs suffer from excessively dry skin. In the spring, others suffer from pollen, ragweed, and mold allergies. Take note of when your dog scratches the most to determine if he is suffering from seasonal allergies.
Dog scratching may be due to skin infections. There are two kinds of infection your dog could have – bacterial and yeast. These are most commonly caused by dirtiness and a consistent exposure to bacteria-strewn environment. While bacterial infections appear as bumps on the skin, yeast infections produce a smelly, greasy paste on dogs’ ears. To help prevent infection, keep your pet indoors most of the time and be sure that his bedding is clean. Regularly bathe him to cleanse away dirt and grime that might irritate skin.
Skin infections can be compounded by a weak immune system that prevents a dog from getting rid of an infection. In order to achieve success in eradicating a bacterial or yeast infection, treat any illnesses your dog may be suffering from. Allergies and stress can also weaken his immune system. Once this is back to normal, your pooch should be able to shake the infection and the dog scratching.
Internal problems are another cause of excessive scratching. A deficiency of fatty acids can cause dry, itchy skin while hormonal imbalances can cause over production of cortisol. This hormone creates superficial skin infections that cause dogs to scratch.
Should you come to recognize these symptoms of dog scratching that point to a more serious problem, take your pooch to the vet immediately. He can make a proper diagnosis and prescribe an effective treatment. The sooner the problem is addressed, the sooner he will heal. When your four-legged friend finds relief from his frantic scratching, you will rest assured knowing he is healthy and happy.