Just like other mammals with skin, dogs can fall victim to dry, itchy skin. As you can imagine, this can be very uncomfortable and painful for your dog, as they will be naturally inclined to scratch their skin, which usually only makes the problem worse. In today’s article, we are going to discuss the different reasons why dog’s have itchy skin, and we also will discuss whether you can use baking soda to soothe the itch.
Why do dog’s get itchy all the time?
The main reasons dog’s develop itchy skin is because of infections, fleas, and allergies. We will discuss each of these causes in depth below.
Infections
Skin infections are often times the cause of your dog developing dry, inflamed itchy skin. There are a wide range of skin infections that can cause itchy spots, such as yeast and bacterial infections. The key to treating a skin infection is to apply skin ointment and then cover up the inflamed areas. Your dog will be very tempted to itch at or bite these areas, so it is important that your closely monitor your dogs to ensure the bandage stays covering the itchy area. If your dog keeps chewing the bandage away, you can try putting a cone around their head.
Fleas
Fleas and other parasites such as ticks or worms are also another common cause of itchy skin for dogs. This is understandable, as fleas usually burrow their way into your cats skin, causing painful dryness and irritation of the skin. This is why it is important to always inspect your dog for fleas. We also recommend giving your dog a shampoo bath at least once a week if they live in a high flea environment. If you notice that your dog has already been infested by fleas, we recommend taking him/her to the vet as soon as possible. The vet will likely prescribe your dog some topical flea solution which should help get rid of the fleas. In some extreme cases, your vet might prescribe your dog antibiotics if they fear the fleas have caused an infection.
Allergy
Allergies are also a common cause of itching in dogs. The two most common allergies affecting dogs are food and environmental allergies. As you would probably guess, food allergies are directly tied to your dog’s diet. Your dog can develop food allergies to just about any form of dog food. If you suspect your dog is suffering from food allergies, we recommend completely switching their diet for one month. You should also avoid giving your dog treats, as this can also be the source of the allergy. Environmental allergies refer to any substance in your dog’s environment that triggers an allergic reaction. There are hundreds of different allergens that can be causing your dog’s itching, but the most common are pollen, mold, and dust. While pollen is almost impossible to avoid, there are measures you can take to protect you dog from mold and dust. Make sure that you regularly clean the areas of the house that your dog frequents. If you have a cat, you should look into buying dust free cat litter.
Will baking soda help my dog stop itching?
Yes, baking soda is a great way to help your dog stop itching. The best way to apply baking soda to your dog is by combining it with water to make a paste like solution. You should measure the baking soda into a cup, and then pour in the same measure of water. For example, if you have one cup of baking soda, you should pour in one cup of water. After mixing and making the paste, you should apply it directly to the area that is itching. The baking soda solution will help sooth the itching and will also reduce inflammation. Make sure to rinse the baking soda off after 20 minutes. You can also add baking soda to your dog’s bath to help them stop itching.
