Constant scratching, itching and chewing is an understandable concern, especially if it starts out of the blue. It's an obvious sign that your dog is uncomfortable, and it could be a symptom of a much more serious problem. If you learn how to stop a dog from scratching with home remedies, you may not need to seek veterinary treatment.
Your dog's scratching could be caused by a variety of factors. Sudies show that the most common cause of itchy skin is dryness. Dry skin could be linked to environmental factors, like cold winter air. It may also be due to a more serious issue such as a nutritional deficiency.
The best way to avoid dry skin on dogs is to keep them well-hydrated and feed a balanced diet. Even if you provide these things, your dog may still have dry skin. Some dogs just have dry skin for no particular rhyme or reason. In these instances, learning how to stop a dog from scratching with home remedies may be just the cure you need.
How To Stop A Dog From Scratching
Veterinarians do warn that some of the causes of itchy skin in dogs may be very serious and dangerous for your pet's health. Usually, if your dog's itchiness is severe and doesn't go away, you'll need to do tests with your veterinarian to rule out any serious health conditions.
The first step to learning how to stop a dog from scratching is to figure out why he's scratching. You can't find a cure until you know what the underlying condition is. While dry skin is the most common reason for scratching in dogs, other reasons could include:
- fleas
- allergies
- hot spots
- mange
- skin infection
The treatment will depend on the cause of the scratching. If your dog has fleas, you'll need to get rid of the infestation before you can treat the damage to his skin. The same is true for all of the other ailments listed above.
A medicated shampoo could help treat many issues including hot spots, mange and infection. If you think your dog is suffering with some type of skin infection, it's best to seek the advice of your veterinarian. They may recommend a prescription shampoo to treat the condition.
If your dog is suffering from dry skin, there are many lotions and balms available to help soothe the itch. You could also try home remedies for dry skin that include apple cider vinegar, coconut oil or an oatmeal bath.
A lot of pet owners assume that allergies are the cause of their dog's scratching. Actually, skin allergies aren't as common as most people thing. If your dog is suffering with allergies, the only way to find out for sure is to have allergy testing at your veterinarian's office.
Whether it's food allergies or the cause is environmental, you'll have to remove the allergen in order to stop the scratching. This is why it's imperative to have allergy testing done by a professional.
No matter what the cause, you need to cure the reason for the scratching before you can successfully treat your dog's damaged skin. Once the root cause has been alleviated, you can soothe the itch and eventually stop the scratching all together.
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