But more often than not, the culprit is a common reaction to something in your dog’s environment. □ REASONS WHY YOUR DOG OR PUPPY HAS ITCHY SKINĮach dog has a different level of skin sensitivity and can experience itching from different things. Today we’re going to tackle some common reasons why your dog is so itchy, as well as what you can do to alleviate symptoms, provide itch relief and treat the root cause.įUN FACT – Do you know the medical term for itching? But when the frequency and severity of their itching have YOU scratching your head, it’s time to get to the bottom of the issue. Sure, it’s perfectly normal for your dog to itch once in a while. It can make you wonder why your dog is SO itchy! Managing your dog’s itch quickly and effectively will save frustration, time, money, and best of all, give your pet the relief they deserve.The scratching, the licking, the rolling around, chewing on skin. For pet owners of allergic dogs concerned about antihistamines not working or having side effects, ask us about other therapies proven to reduce the allergic itch. You’ll work together to find an anchor treatment (one single treatment that will control itch most of the time) and then supplement with other treatments depending on how your dog responds.Ĭontact us to determine the underlying cause of your dog’s itch and discuss the best approach for treatment and prevention. Once the underlying cause of your dog’s itch has been identified - and even while working to identify the cause - discuss with your veterinarian treatments that are proven to control allergic itch. Alternatives to Treating Itchy Dogs with Antihistamines In addition, antihistamines can put your dog at risk for worsening allergic itch and secondary infections since they are not treating the underlying cause of the itch. In fact, the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals lists antihistamines under “Interventions likely to be of little or no benefit to treat acute flares of canine atopic dermatitis.” Antihistamines can also cause some unwanted side effects, including sedation, trembling, and panting. Histamines cause upper respiratory allergies in people, whereas cytokines (not histamines) cause itchy skin in dogs.įor dogs with underlying allergies, antihistamines don’t control the cytokines (signaling proteins) that cause inflammation and itch. What are Antihistamines and Why Don’t They Work for Most Itchy Dogs?Īllergies in dogs are different than allergies in people. They will work with you to identify the underlying cause and develop treatment strategies to prevent itch from recurring, or manage it if it does. Let your veterinarian know all of the current medications you are giving, as well as other medical conditions that your dog has, so they can make sure the prescribed medication is safe to use in your dog. Topical therapies may provide minor temporary relief in some mildly itchy dogs, but are not effective alone in controlling itch in most allergic dogs. While it may be tempting to reach for the anti–itch or scratch relief shampoos and sprays at your pet supply store or to pick up an antihistamine at the drugstore, these may only provide temporary relief at best. What About DIY and Over-the-Counter Options? For more complicated cases like dogs with chronic allergies and secondary infections, it can be more challenging to completely eliminate the symptoms but there are treatment options available that keep things easy for you and your dog. Topical therapy like shampoos, conditioners, and spraysįor uncomplicated itchy dog causes like fleas, treatment is easy to administer and can be up to 100% effective. There are a variety of treatments that may be recommended for your itchy dog, including:Īllergy medications to control itch and skin inflammationĪnti-parasite treatments like oral or topical flea/tick preventativesĪntibiotics or antifungals to treat the underlying infection(s) Itchy dogs can be frustrating to treat - for the dog, the owner, and sometimes even the veterinarian. Yet, studies have demonstrated that while antihistamines may relieve respiratory allergies in humans, they had little or no effect on skin allergies in dogs Can Dog Itch Be Difficult to Treat? Antihistamines, like Benadryl, have historically been an easy over-the-counter option to provide people (and pets) some relief. When our dogs are uncomfortable, we naturally feel for them and want to relieve their symptoms as quickly as possible. An itchy dog is a stress for the whole family.
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