~Dogs that Itch

 

It makes dog owners crazy, the dog that has skin that is so itchy and uncomfortable that the dog is constantly scratching at itself, using paws and teeth to worry at the area until the dog has removed all the hair from the area and the remaining flesh is raw and bleeding. This bald area, a spot that most dog owners call a hot spot, is an eyesore and causes some dog owners such acute embarrassment that they are unable to take their dogs out in public. Other dog owners are steadily driven mad by the sound of their dog constantly ripping and tearing at its flesh, the sound of the scratching is frequently accompanied by the dog whining and crying as they rip at their flesh.

It doesn't take very long before the dog owner is desperate for some means of treating their dog's itchy skin.

There are several chemical treatments that can be used to help your dog with its itchy problem. Although most of these chemical treatments work, some dogs have severe and sometimes fatal, allergies to the chemicals. Dog owners would be wise to turn to grooming as their first defense against their dogs persistent itching.

The best policy for an itchy dog is to brush it on a daily basis. Most canine itching problems are caused by pollens, dirt, mats, and dander that stay on the dogs coat. If left on the dogs hair long enough the pollens, dirt, and dander start irritating the dogs skin and dog start chewing and biting at the offending spot. Brushing your dog's hair just once a day will help prevent the build-up of items that can lead to itching problems. Not only will you be preventing a bout of itching your dog will love the time spent with its owner.

Bathing your dog is an excellent way to prevent your dog from developing an itching problem. But don't plan on bathing your dog on a daily basis. To much water and shampoo will completely strip your dog of the oils that are naturally found on the dog's skin. When these natural oils are stripped away the dog's skin dries out and becomes more prone to infections. Dry skin in dogs is just as painful and scratchy to a dog as it is to a human that suffers from a similar condition, and dogs can rub lotion into themselves to correct the problem.

When you are grooming your dog make sure you pay attention to their ears. Dogs can get small biting insects called ear mites in their ears. When the ear mites start to bite the dogs start scratching at their ears, and excessive amount of clawing and pulling at the ear can lead to some potentially ear health issues. If you notice that their is peculiar odor emanating from your dog's ears and that the dog no longer wants you to touch his ears he is probably developing an ear infection. Contact your local veterinarian for information about how to take care of your dog's problematic ears.

If, despite your best efforts, your dog does develop a hot spot that he chews until it is raw and oozing blood, consult your veterinarian about what topical antibiotic cream you can rub into the hot spot that will prevent infection. If your dog has particularly nasty habit of clawing at the hot spot with their teeth, your veterinarian might recommend that they were a large cone shaped collar that will prevent them from scratching at the spot until it has had time to heal.