Dogs can experience skin problems much like humans do, and it’s relatively common. They may scratch and pull at the skin or experience changes to their fur texture for a variety of reasons. It’s essential to get help for your dog when they have a skin issue to rule out if the cause is a serious disease or health problem.
Dogs with more severe cases of skin problems could have missing patches of hair, large red spots, or bumps. It may seem like your dog has been in a fight, but in reality, it could be fighting allergies, small pests, bacteria, or a reaction to its food. Whatever the case, don’t let the problem persist for your pup!
Consider potential causes for dog skin problems, then reach out to Penny Paws Animal Clinic.
Year-Round and Seasonal Dog Allergies
Allergies are a nuisance for canines, making them itch and scratch at their skin or bite their legs. Humans and dogs differ in the ways we react to allergies, but dogs can experience irritation with pollen, dust, plants, and other things that bother us too. Seasonal allergies are present during certain times of year, such as spring or autumn, while year-round allergies can occur at any time and might be airborne or within a dog’s food.
Some signs that your dog is experiencing severe allergies include:
- Constant scratching or pulling at the skin
- Sneezing and wheezing
- Scabs and bites on the skin (from itching)
- Redness within the ears or nose
Common Dog Skin Disorders
External parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites can lead to skin disease for a dog. Fleas can quickly breed and spread throughout your home, causing an unclean environment in your bed, clothes, and carpet, and skin problems for you and your canine friend. Ticks take blood from humans, dogs, and other animals and carry harmful diseases.
Mites could also cause your dog’s skin irritation. Mites are small creatures that can lead to two types of mange, depending on the specific species of mite. Both types travel from dog to dog and cause open wounds from how much scratching the animals do.
Other reasons your dog could have a skin issue include dandruff and yeast infections. When insects, dryness, and too much oil accumulate on a dog’s skin, it may become sensitive and uncomfortable with how it feels. A visit with the vet can help see what issue is troubling your dog.
Methods of Treating Dog Skin Problems
You might resolve dog skin problems with a veterinary prescription, special shampoos, or a supplement in its food. Your vet may gently scrape your dog’s skin to look for eggs and evidence of ticks, mites, fleas, or any other unwanted guests. They can also look for infections or large lesions.
Sometimes, taking better care of your pet’s health or making simple changes will do the trick. It’s important to make an appointment with a veterinarian to determine what the root of the skin issue is and the best next steps for treatment. Dogs feel better and are happier when it has a healthy routine, good foods, and exercise. Try the following measures to help your dog and see if its skin problems decrease.
Seek Help from a Vet
Trying home remedies can be helpful, but they don’t compare to professional veterinary guidance. It is much safer to consult a vet before giving any vitamins, medicines, or treatments to your dog or adding them to its diet. A vet can determine why your dog has skin problems and decide on the appropriate treatment plan.
Make Dietary Changes
Consider what you’re feeding your dog. Do you often give your dog table scraps or processed dog and human food products? Your dog could be having an allergic reaction to certain foods, but incorporating more raw meats and vegetables will strengthen its diet and skin.
Adjust Your Dog’s Environment and Routine
Dogs and humans with skin conditions experience more flare-ups and irritation when in stressful situations. Believe it or not, decreasing your dog’s stress levels and anxieties can help with its skin problem. Take your dog for walks, let it socialize, and ensure it has decompression time each day, especially after an energetic situation.
Many artificial fragrances and common household products are not great for dogs. This might include candles, wax melts, room sprays, perfumes, cleaning products, and more, so check their ingredients and see if they are pet safe. Keep in mind that some plants are even toxic to dogs.
The Main Reasons That Dogs Experience Skin Problems
Dog skin problems can start from many different causes, but it’s helpful to know the majority of them. While they range from allergic reactions to skin disorders, there are even more reasons they occur. Some possibilities for why your dog has itchy, inflamed, or sensitive skin are:
- A bacteria or fungal infection
- Allergies to food or the environment
- Dog dandruff
- Mange from mites
- Reaction to food
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- The spread of fleas
- Ticks
- Yeast infections
Exceptional Veterinary Care and Services
Since dog skin problems can vary, it’s always a good idea to reach out to a trained professional for your pet. At Penny Paws Animal Clinic, we have years of experience diagnosing dog skin problems and know the proper treatments to ensure your pup feels better.
Reach out to Penny Paws Animal Clinic to schedule an appointment at one of our five Texas clinics. We can explain what’s causing your dog’s skin issues and what you can do to improve its health and general well-being.