Imagine the blissful day of a Shih Tzu, tumbling along a daisy-filled park, fetching balls, when suddenly, the itch arrives. The constant scratching begins and the blissful day turns into a cycle of discomfort. Dog scratching is not a disease but a symptom, a signal that your four-legged friend needs some help. This post aims to uncover the top reasons why your dog may be so itchy and how to alleviate their discomfort naturally.
Understand Itchiness in Dogs: The Top Reasons
Fleas
Infamous for causing itchiness in dogs, fleas are parasites that thrive on your dog's skin, causing them to scratch incessantly.
Food Allergies
Some dog breeds, like German Shepherds, are prone to food allergies which can manifest as itchiness.
Atopy / Environmental Allergies
Sometimes the itch could be a reaction to environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites or molds.
Skin Infections
Yeast or bacterial infections can cause severe itchiness in dogs.
Parasitic Infections (Like Mites)
Parasites, such as mites, can burrow into your dog's skin causing irritation and itchiness.
Dry Skin
Dry skin in dogs, which can be due to factors like change in weather, can result in itchiness.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Similar to humans, hormonal changes in dogs can sometimes result in itching. Some hormones directly stimulate itching nerves, while others can indirectly lead to skin drying and subsequently itchiness.
- Anxiety: Emotional stress in dogs could lead to a condition known as psychogenic itching, where dogs scratch more due to psychological reasons.
- Autoimmune Skin Diseases: In these conditions, the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks its skin cells, causing chronic itchy skin.
The Damage: Consequences of Excessive Scratching
Constant scratching not only makes your dog uncomfortable, but it can also lead to hair loss, open sores, and skin infections. It's important to address the root cause to prevent these harmful consequences.
- Secondary Infections: Open sores from excessive scratching can become infected, and this could escalate to more severe health issues.
- Behavioural Issues: Chronic itching and discomfort can lead some dogs to develop negative behaviours such as aggressiveness or excessive fear.
Natural Remedies: How to Alleviate Your Dog's Itchiness
There are various natural strategies to alleviate itchiness in dogs, such as diet alterations, regular grooming, use of natural anti-parasitic agents, and skin-soothing baths. Commercially available natural solutions targeted towards dog scratching can also be very effective.
- Hydration: Keeping your dog well-hydrated will help maintain its skin suppleness, which can relieve some itching.
- Essential Fatty Acids: Supplements rich in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids nourish the skin from within, helping manage dry skin and reduce inflammation.
- Organic Topical Sprays: Natural sprays like "our natural training hissing spray", priced at £9.99 with free delivery and a money back guarantee, can alleviate itching instantly. Our UK based customer care team is always ready to assist. This odourless harmless spray makes a hissing noise which effectively distracts your pet from scratching and allows instant calming.
When to See the Veterinarian
If natural solutions aren’t effective, or your dog appears to be in pain or showing signs of skin infection, it’s time to consult a professional. Veterinarians can provide valuable advice and treatments options for your dog's itchiness.
Preventive Measures
Regular grooming, vet checkups, and maintaining a healthy diet are preventive measures to keep your dog's skin healthy and itch-free.
Stopping Dog Scratching with Verbal Commands and Behavior Modification
Training your dog to respond to verbal commands is a practical approach to prevent them from scratching wounds. Here's how behavior modification can help:
- Verbal Commands: Train your dog to understand and respond to commands like 'stop' or 'no' when they attempt to scratch.
- Positive Reinforcement: Use treats or praise to reward your dog when they obey and refrain from scratching.
- Consistency: Regular training and consistent reinforcement are key to effective behavior modification.
This method aids in controlling the scratching behavior and promotes healing.
Using Hissing Spray to Prevent Scratching
Our natural training hissing spray is an effective tool to distract your dog from scratching wounds. Here’s how it works:
- Instinctual Response: The hissing sound mimics a goose, naturally drawing your dog's attention away from scratching.
- Safe and Non-Invasive: Odourless and harmless, it's an ideal solution for immediate intervention.
- Easy to Use: Priced at £9.99 with free delivery, this spray is a convenient tool for pet owners.
Contact our UK-based customer care team for more information on how this spray can benefit your pet.
Conclusion
Understanding the causes of itchiness in dogs and knowing the appropriate natural remedies can dramatically improve your furry friend's quality of life.
Call to Action
Take action to help your dog stop scratching and start enjoying life as they should. Check out our range of natural solutions for dog scratching, notably our training hissing spray, as they have been proven to alleviate your pet's discomfort quickly and efficiently.
