This Blog was originally published on petfolk.in/ — Why Is My Dog So Itchy? Possible Causes & Treatment
Another pet parent will surely fret over the persistent scratching or biting of the skin by the dog. Though some itching and scratching are very normal, persistent itching can be a sign of a medical problem that calls for attention. So if your dog is constantly itching, then it's about time to look into the cause and treatments available.
In this blog, we will discuss why your dog may be itchy and how to relieve the itchiness; also, how pet care services in Hyderabad can help with the management of your dog's skin health.
What Causes My Dog to Itch?
There could be several reasons why your dog continues to itch. It is important to know the basic cause so that appropriate treatment and relief can be given. Here are some of the most common causes as to why dogs itch.
- Fleas and Ticks
Most itching causes in your dog will include fleas and ticks. They cause most irritation, and allergic reactions also occur. Additionally, flea saliva can cause allergic reactions. This will make them itch even after these fleas have left.
Regular flea prevention and treatment fall under the third stage. Except for the treatments mentioned above, there are many more but some of the common examples are topical solution, oral medication, and collars. For keeping your pet free from these parasites you can opt for pet grooming at home for continuous prevention.
- Allergies:
Just like in humans, allergies affect animals. For instance, certain things such as pollen, dust mites, mold, and some kinds of food irritate dogs. Most frequently, allergic itching affects the dog's feet, face, or belly due to environmental causes, whereas generalized itching all over the body is generally considered due to the food allergies.
In case of allergy, consult the dog to a vet as soon as you suspect. The veterinarian will run his tests to find out what could have caused allergies. It will then prescribe any changes in the diet or medication for cure for the situation. However, regular pet grooming is going to remove all those allergens from the coat of your dog so that there will be some relief for your dog.
- Dry Skin
Dry skin is one of the common causes of itchiness in dogs, especially from dry and cold climate regions. However, air-conditioning and heating in indoor environments can also dry out the skin of a dog in a city like Hyderabad.
Healthy skin requires moisture. Dry or even scaly skin in your dog may indicate your dog is getting a little dehydrated. Moisturizers designed to be safe for your pets or specific shampoos used by pet mobile groomers, will nourish the skin of your dogs and eliminate itching.
- Hot Spots
Thus, acute moist dermatitis are hot spots, which is also any irritation and inflammation of the skin. Hot spots are usually caused due to excessive licking or scratching and can be warm, red, and painful so may worsen quickly.
Another is to clean and dry the area being a hot spot. The vet may or may not give antibiotics or topical medicine to help decrease the swelling. Regular grooming also helps prevent hot spots by keeping your dog's coat clean and free of tangles, which the best pet grooming for dogs in Hyderabad can provide for instance.
- Bacterial or Fungal Infections
Bacterial or fungal infection: In short, bacterial or fungal infection is a cause behind overheating or irritation of a dog's skin due to excessive scratching or some other health condition, which results in redness, irritation, and an unpleasant odor.
Once infection has begun, a vet will provide antibiotics or antifungal medicine. Grooming is also an important activity that prevents infection because it makes your pet hygienically clean by keeping the skin clean. The foremost reason you select home pet grooming is to allow your dog's coat and skin to be in top form and minimizes the possibilities of infections.
How Mobile Pet Grooming Can Help
Grooming is not only a process of making your dog clean and cute. In fact, it plays an important role in your pet's health, particularly for skin and coat-related problems. In the case of dogs, itchiness-related problems include flea infestation, hot spots, and dry skin. All these problems may well be prevented with regular grooming.
Here is how a mobile pet grooming service can reduce itchiness in your dog:
Fleas and Ticks: Professional grooming often catches infestation early and treatment is provided as soon as possible for flea or tick infestation. In this process, there is a shampoo or spray applied in the form of flea prevention against such parasites within your dog's coat from occurring in the first place.
Allergens: Bathing and brushing help remove pollen and dust allergens in the coat that cause itches due to environmental allergies.
Dry Skin: Dry skin is a general medical condition that may be causing itches. Mobile pet grooming services can provide moistening baths and conditioners to keep your dog's skin hydrated.
Early Detection of Skin Problems: Proper groomers on pets are trained to identify any early symptoms of even skin problems, such as a hot spot, infection, or parasites. Early detection will therefore avoid a more serious issue.
Personalized Attention: Mobile pet grooming provides the luxury of professional grooming from the comfort of your home. This is especially beneficial for dogs that become uneasy in new surroundings; therefore, they do not have to leave their house for them to receive the care needed.
Self-Care Care Tips for Itchy Dogs
While it is nice to have professional grooming, there are many steps you can take at home to help abate your dog's itching:
Regular brushing will also clean loose fur, dirt, and allergens on the coat of your dog. Moreover, it allows the natural oils in the skin stimulate moisture rather than drying the skin.
Hypoallergenic Shampoos: While you bathe your dog, you must use shampoos that are sensitive to the skin. Human products, therefore, will strip your dog's skin of its natural oils.
Observe Their Diet: If a food allergy is the cause of the scratching, feeding a hypoallergenic diet or even a "restricted-ingredient diet" may be beneficial. Talk to your veterinarian before making any changes to their diet.
Keep Up on a Regular Preventative Schedule: Also very important is to keep your dog on a regular preventative schedule-as preventatives are the best way to avoid infestations.
Your vet: If your dog is itching and you cannot resolve the issue, then visit your vet. He or she will carry out tests to find a probable reason such as an infection, allergy, or skin problem.
Best pet grooming place for dogs in Hyderabad
In Hyderabad, the ideal pet grooming that you can offer to your dogs will depend on where you find a service that understands what your dog needs. This is because grooming is not the same in all services; hence, there will always be a variation as various breeds require care differently. Find services that offer a personal touch, are well-endowed with knowledge regarding diverse skin and coat types, and use quality products.
Mobile grooming services come right into your home, the advantage for busy pet owners or anxious dogs who get fretted with riding in the groomer.
Conclusion
If your dog is scratching too much, you really need to analyze the cause and give him relief. Common causes of scratching may include flea infestation, allergies, infections, and dry skin. Regular grooming whether at home or mobile pet grooming will go a long way for keeping the dog's skin healthy and itch-free. Do not wait to see your vet for further advice if it does not respond because early treatment prevents worse health issues.
Regular pet care services available in cities like Hyderabad will be brought into the lives of your dogs, keeping your dog comfortable, healthy, and itch-free all through the year.
