Ways to Stop Dogs Itching

The most important thing to do if your dog is scratching a lot is to find out why. In some cases, this can be fairly obvious. If you suspect it could be fleas or ticks, treating them should always be your first post of call. Make sure you opt for a good quality treatment, and check the dosage for your dog. (Larger dogs need a higher dosage).

If this doesn’t work, it’s time to consider less obvious treatments.

Hypo Allergenic Diet

Many dogs (including my own) have allergies. My dog, Minnie is allergic to wheat, grass, chicken and beef, so this limits her a good deal. I manage to keep on top of her allergies by ensuring she eats a Hypoallergenic dog food. It can be tricky to make sure the kids don’t feed her things she’s not allowed, so I always make sure we have suitable dog treats at home as well.

I’ve heard great things about Bellfor Cold-pressed dry food with insects. It’s perfect for dogs who can’t tolerate the main meats, fish or grain. Minnie has had another bad flare-up recently, so I’m waiting on a delivery of this to try her on, and I’ll update once we’ve tried it.

We tried feeding her a raw diet last year, and while it did great things for her skin, she was frequently vomiting, so we had to stop. So personally, I wouldn’t recommend this. Minnie’s allergies are usually under control, but when she does have a flare-up, it’s often caused by her being fed (or stealing) human food.

When you’re looking for ways to stop dogs itching, allergies are usually the cause of the issue. Try limiting one thing at a time for a couple of weeks, to see how your dog gets on. Cut out wheat for 2 weeks, and if the itching stops, you know they are allergic to it.

Allergy Testing

There’s always a chance your dog has more than one allergy, like Minnie does, so if you’re struggling to work out what’s causing the problem, you may need to visit the vets to get your dog allergy tested. This is a blood test, which will give you a list of your dog’s allergies. Minnie’s cost several hundred pounds a few years ago. Her insurance covered the cost though, as she was having recurring issues, and had to wear a cone for weeks, as her ears were so sore.

Once you get the results, you’ll be able to see what needs to change. This is one of the most invasive ways to stop dogs itching, but it’s also the easiest way to find the cause.

Good Quality Dog Shampoo and Treatments

One thing I quickly learnt was that cheap dog shampoo can cause itchiness. My other dog, Monty hates to have a bath, and he was scratching for days afterwards, when I was using a cheap dog shampoo. In the end, our vet told me to use a sensitive shampoo, which is fragrance free. I got a dog shampoo bar, which looks like a bar of soap, but is super gentle. It’s made a huge difference to his skin, but he still hates bath time!

When it comes to worm, flea, tick and mite treatments, it’s always worth researching what’s out there. Zecomplete is a highly recommended tick treatment. Minnie can’t go in long grass due to her allergies, but if your dog does, it’s worth using a mite and tick treatment. If your dog is prone to itchy skin, it’s also worth keeping something gentle on hand for flare-ups between baths or vet visits. An anti itch spray for dogs can be useful after walks, especially if your dog has brushed against grass, pollen, or other outdoor irritants.

Keep on top of Grooming

If your dog has long fur, make sure you keep on top of grooming it. When your dog’s fur becomes matted, it’ll be itchy and uncomfortable. This can lead to them scratching excessively, and ending up with infected skin. Matted fur can also get caught on branches and brambles when you’re out dog walking.

Medication