Dog Itching

If your dog is scratching, biting, or licking uncontrollably, you're not alone. Dandruff, dry skin, nervous habits, and even parasites are common to our furry companions. There are some instances where you'll need to take your dog to the vet. But, most of the time one or two easy changes will solve the problem. Let's look at the usual suspects first.

When I first started helping people with this issue I was amazed how often a change in diet would permanently solve annoying skin problems. A change in a dog's diet is so consistently effective that it fixes the problem about 80% of the time.

Look at the ingredients in your dog's food. Is wheat and animal byproducts in the first three or four ingredients? If so, you might compare it to feeding your dog cardboard and a salad every meal of every day. Wheat, barley, and byproducts won't hurt your dog at all. But, they have little nutritional value. They're basically cheap fillers that aren't very digestible for the dog. Your skin might itch too if you ate cardboard and a salad everyday. Corn is highly digestible but is still over-used because it's cheap. Just remember, no grain should ever be listed before the main source of meat. Look for foods that use rice or potatoes more than corn or wheat for their source of carbs. Try switching to a better dog food will promote healthier skin and will usually stop a dog's itching.

I have a few suggestions for those of you that don't want to read the ingredients of 30 different brands of dog food. Costco's Kirkland Signature premium is best quality I've found for the price. If you don't have a Costco near you, try Nutro Natural Choice (not MAX) found at most pet stores. Royal Canin brand and Nutro Ultra are two of the best overall but may cost more than you want to spend. It's still a lot cheaper than Hill's Science Diet z/d prescription diet that your vet may prescribe if your dog continues to scratch. There are many other premium dog foods that will make a very big difference. Just check the ingredients.

Your dog may get diarrhea if you abruptly change it's diet. Switch the food gradually over 10 days to 2 weeks. For instance, on day one, use 90% old food and 10% new. On day two, use 80% old food and 20% new, etc., until the change is complete. Don't be surprised if your dog eats 40% to 60% less than before. It's not because they don't like it. They're just getting more nutrition and passing less fillers through their body. Of course that also means less smelly presents to pick up in the yard and who wouldn't want that?

Now, I know many of you are wondering when I'm going to mention fish oils, Omega-3 fatty acids, and other skin supplements. I admit those are great. But, just do the math on it. It's cheaper and easier to just buy a food that doesn't need a supplement.

Too many table scraps are a regular cause of dry, itching skin as well. It's the nutritional equivalent to feeding your child ice cream with every single meal. If you absolutely can't resist, give Spike a de-shelled boiled egg or boiled chicken, turkey, or fish. Cottage cheese can also be mixed into their food occasionally in moderation. Green beans and many other veggies are OK as long as they make up less than 20% of their diet.

I have to warn you, though. If you weren't doing it before and you start doing it, you're dog will quickly come to expect it. You'll soon find fluffy looking up at you like you're crazy if you don't add something to her food or share something with her at every meal. It's a slippery slope that usually ends up in a battle of the wills. Fluffy learns fast that if she holds out and doesn't eat, you'll get worried and add something tastier. Now, who is training whom? Please just stick to the good dog foods.

Dandruff and itching, dry skin can also come from too many baths or using a shampoo that is too strong for your particular dog's skin. One bath per month is usually best and make sure to rinse off all the shampoo. I've seen dry skin and rashes start with one bath every other week. It strips away the oils the dog needs just like washing your hands with soap too often.

If Fluffy or Spike starts to smell between baths try using a "powder bath." You can find them online or at your local pet store. Poodles and shar pei can be especially sensitive to liquid shampoos. Using a high quality oatmeal shampoo on any breed may be enough to stop the dog's itching problem.

Doesn't it annoy you when someone sitting next to you constantly bounces their leg like a miniature jack hammer? Do you have any nervous habits like biting your nails or absently picking lint off your clothes. Dogs do that too. They just do it by biting, licking or scratching themselves. Solutions for this vary with every dog and their situation. Here are a few possibilities to consider:

• Give the dog more area to play while she's alone.
• Take a good jog with your dog before you leave for work. Consider joining a dog agility program.
• Interact with your dog as much as possible. If you want a yard decoration, get a pink flamingo. Dogs need time, love and attention.
• Get more toys.
• Get a greater variety of toys, especially a variety of chew toys.
• Get more interactive toys like toys that wobble, bounce or make noise.
• Hire a dog walker to come by while you're at work. Don't worry, that doesn't mean that you can't walk your dog when you get home, too.
• Get another dog to keep it company while you're gone.
  
• Cut back or give up your day job and make money by writing articles about dogs from your laptop while hanging out in the backyard with your dog.

There are a few toys and treats that rise well above the rest. The Kong brand makes some of the most resilient chew toys I've ever seen. Keep your dog interested by spreading a tiny bit of peanut butter or a dog treat inside. Greenies are expensive and worth every penny. Often referred to as "doggie crack," they will keep your dog busy for quite a while and seem strangely addictive. Fun and tasty distractions are a great way to break a dog's itching habit.

Bitter sprays and over the counter anti-itch ointments rarely made a difference in many of the cases I dealt with. Make sure to read the labels carefully. Bitter Apple is one of the best and is NOT to be used on open wounds like hot spots. An Elizabethan collar is often used to allow hot spots to heal and to break nervous habits.

Changing their diet, having less frequent baths, and/or addressing anxiety or boredom should fix your problem within 3 to 5 weeks. If you're still having problems, you should schedule a visit with a vet.You should also take Fluffy to the vet if the she develops open wounds from licking or biting. These are called hot spots. They are extremely painful and can become infected if they're not treated.

Speaking of pain, that may be the reason your dog is compulsively scratching, chewing or licking. It may be from internal pain including anything from hip dysplasia to tumors. Externally, it could be parasites like mites, fleas, or ticks. Some parasites are too small for us to see. Regularly cleaning their bed and the surrounding area will help. Frontline and Advantage will help protect your pet from fleas and ticks. You can use original Dawn brand dish detergent for fleas if they set up an outpost on Fluffy.

If the vet suggests using Science Diet or prescribes one of their medicated foods before doing a skin biopsy, leave and don't go back. They probably skipped their classes on dog nutrition. As of last year, only a couple varieties of Science Diet's prescription food contained no fillers as one of their primary ingredients (that includes their Nature's Best and Sensitive Skin varieties) and sold for about twice the price of Royal Canin (a MUCH better food). I know the vet may cite "food allergies" as the problem and not fillers. But, it turns out that the top fillers cause the majority of allergic reactions; corn, wheat, and byproducts. It's worth noting that beef is also a common offender even though it isn't a filler at all.

I hope these suggestions will help your dog before a trip to the vet is necessary. Every dog is different and this article isn't intended to diagnose your dog's specific condition. There are other problems like skin infections, neoplasia, extreme skin sensitivity, allergies to pollen or mold, and certain disorders that only a vet can identify and treat. Remember, your dog is usually either uncomfortable or in pain if he/she is scratching or biting. Please seek professional advice whenever necessary.