Why Is My Dog Scratching So Much?
It’s one of the most common questions dog owners ask, and one you’re sure to ask yourself from time to time: why is my dog scratching so much?
The best answer is that it depends. There are many reasons why dogs might scratch a lot, including parasites, dry skin, allergies, and others. Let’s take a closer look.
Dog Scratching Because of Fleas
Probably the most common reason why dogs scratch is because they have fleas.
Even if you can’t see fleas on your dog, they might still be lurking in hard-to-spot places like at the base of their tail and right behind their ears.
Some estimates are that for every flea you see on your dog, there are 100 more somewhere else. So this is an issue that can get out of control quickly!
The best way to combat fleas is to use a tick and flea shampoo when you bathe your dog and to apply a dip or spray product that is designed for dogs as recommended by your vet and the manufacturer.
Dog Scratching Because of Dry Skin
Sometimes, it’s not fleas that are causing your dog to scratch so much. They’ve simply got dry skin, and that, as we all know, can lead to itching and make us scratch.
If your dog suffers from dry skin, you might need to switch to a different shampoo when you bathe them, and you might also want to consider adding a conditioner that is formulated for dogs into their bathtime routine.
There are also oil-based products that you can use on dogs with very dry skin to help add some moisture and reduce the itching!
Dog Scratching Because of Allergies
Most people don’t realize it, but dogs are very unlikely to be allergic to anything in their food. True food allergies in dogs are very rare.
But it’s not rare for dogs to be allergic to things in their environment.
Dogs can be allergic to everything from grass and pollen to certain chemicals and things in their environment. The best way to be sure of what your dog is allergic and sensitive to is to do an allergy and intolerance test.
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Dog Scratching Because They Need to Be Brushed
Sometimes, dogs scratch a lot because they’re itchy due to excess fur that has built up over time. This is particularly common among dogs that have long hair or a thicker undercoat.
If your dog is itchy because they need to be brushed, then a good brush to remove all the dead hair that has built up should be all it takes to take their itches away and get them back to their non scratching selves.
Dog Scratching Due to Foreign Bodies in Their Fur
Another reason dogs often scratch a lot is because they have something stuck in their fur.
This could be anything from a stick or a plant seed to something man-made like adhesive tape.
If your dog seems to be scratching one area in particular, do a close up inspection and look for anything that shouldn’t be there.
Dog Scratching Because of Boredom
It might sound weird, but sometimes, dogs scratch excessively because they are bored.
This is particularly common in dogs that suffer from things like separation anxiety and who are left alone during the day and are only dogs.
Their scratching becomes a way to pass the time, and it becomes a habit.
If your dog is scratching a lot because they are bored, you need to find ways to stimulate them more. That might mean getting them another doggy friend if they’re currently an only dog, or it might mean signing them up for doggy daycare or a regular dog walker every day.
If In Doubt, Ask Your Vet
If you’ve run through this list of reasons that dogs might scratch a lot, still haven’t found anything that fits, and are still asking why is my dog scratching so much, it might be time to visit your veterinarian.
Dogs itch for lots of reasons, and while we’ve listed the most common and easy to treat here, there could be something else going on that you need to know about. It’s always a good idea to take any concerns you might have to your vet so they can get to the root of the problem.