Is your dog bothered by itchy skin and constantly scratching? Excessive scratching can be a symptom of several skin problems and can result in reddened skin, bloody scabs or even hair loss. Skin problems are among the most common health complications in dogs, and even though scratching is a natural part of being a dog, you need to pay attention if it happens excessively often. In this article we'll explain the causes of itchy skin in dogs and how to deal with them.

Poor-quality food and food allergies as an itch trigger

Allergies at to the food given food are increasingly common in dogs. Besides digestive problems, affected animals very often also develop skin problems. The foundation of healthy canine skin and coat is good-quality nutrition rich in vitamins and minerals.

Make sure the food is of premium quality and has the right composition. A poor-quality diet or an allergy to an ingredient in the food can cause persistent and frequent scratching in dogs. Hair is largely made of protein , and the better the diet, the better the condition of your four-legged darling's coat. Always choose high-quality kibble with plenty of complete protein and a balanced proportion of fats, minerals and vitamins.

What should you check in the food's composition? Focus on the FRESH meat content (it must come first), then on the amount of carbohydrates, fats and vitamins. The food should also include vegetables, fruit, good-quality oils, herbs or seeds. Make sure the food doesn't contain unnecessary preservatives, colourings and flavour enhancers. These criteria are met by, for example, our RawBark kibble.

If your dog is on a good-quality diet and no allergy has been found to an ingredient in the food, yet the itching persists, try adding our premium SALMON OILto your dog's food! It has very positive effects on the skin and coat. It helps with various skin inflammations and supports their healing. It relieves dry and itchy skin. It hydrates, soothes and nourishes the skin's lipid layer. At the same time, it also supports immunity and the cardiovascular system.

WARNING! Allergic reactions and skin problems are also caused by food mites, which can get into your pet's dry food by accident or through poor storage. So always store food in a cool, dry place and, after opening, close it AGAIN properly.

Itching and scratching caused by an allergic reaction

Allergies in dogs aren't necessarily only to certain ingredients in food, but also to external factors in their environment. In most cases, it's an excessive reaction of the immune system to a particular allergen or group of allergens.

Common allergens include:

• Pollen
• Moulds
• Mites
• Fleas (specifically an allergic reaction to substances in flea saliva)
• Grasses

If you haven't uncovered the cause yourself, blood tests for allergies are available and can help. In that case, a veterinary dermatologistmay also be helpful. Unfortunately, allergies in dogs can't be cured – the symptoms can only be relieved through the right diet and care, or with medication or by removing the allergen.

Insufficient skin hydration and skin infections as a cause of itching and irritation

Dry, dehydrated dog skin is very itchy and is often the trigger for repeated, persistent scratching. The cause is often frequent bathing, which can disrupt the skin's natural barrier, unsuitable or poor-quality washing products, poorly rinsed-out shampoo (rinsing the coat too briefly), dandruff, a poor-quality diet and various skin infections (especially bacterial and fungal infections, e.g. yeast).

When bathing your dog, choose a suitable shampoomade exclusively for dogs. Make sure the shampoo you use is purely natural, free from parabens, silicones, sulphates and artificial preservatives. It shouldn't contain fragrance either. Composition is crucial in this case – if you choose a poor-quality product full of chemical ingredients, you increase the risk of frequent, persistent itching and irritation of your dog's skin. Using natural grooming products is a great prevention against skin diseases. The ideal shampoothat can significantly relieve itching and irritation of your dog's skin is our ANTI-ITCH SHAMPOO. It is purely natural, vegan, and free from parabens, colourings, sulphates and silicones. Its unique formula relieves itchy skin in your four-legged buddy and speeds up the healing of minor wounds on the skin. The shampoo is enriched with cedarwood oil, which has cleansing, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Is your dog bothered by itching and and redness of the skin on its pawstoo? Or is there a yeast infection? Soothe the inflammation with our regenerating and protective PAW BALM , which has soothing effects and is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and mildly disinfecting. It speeds up regeneration, supports healing and protects against yeast infections. What's more, it's suitable for the nose too!

Skin eczema and parasite infestation as a cause of skin disease and itching

Among the most common parasitesthat can affect dogs and cause problems are fleas, ticks, lice, Cheyletiella mites, Demodex mites, harvest mites and sarcoptic mange mites. These uninvited guests can be the reason for persistent scratching and skin disease. These parasites are best dealt with by a vet, who can take a skin scraping, find out which unwelcome guest is troubling your four-legged buddy and then prescribe treatment. The presence of dog parasites is something you can also spot yourself, e.g. by bites, red patches and sores on the skin. The dog also scratches intensely and may even chew out and lose its hair.

Skin eczema, including atopic dermatitis, can be another cause of skin disease in dogs. Check your canine darling's coat and skin regularly, and if you notice unusual redness, bald patches, a rash of pus-filled or bloody sores, or scabs, definitely pay close attention.

Itching and scratching caused by stress

If the vet hasn't found the cause of your dog's frequent scratching, it may also be a psychosomatic problem. Stress triggers can be the trigger. Think about whether your four-legged buddy is currently going through any stressful situations. It could be a change of environment, a new member of the household, a house move, an encounter with unfamiliar animals or suddenly being at home without the owner, … A dog may also scratch out of habit. Try to watchwhether it scratches during recurring events or when you give it a command – it may be its way of coping with the stress it feels.

 Please note: This article is for information only and does not replace professional advice or an examination of the animal by a vet.