Why Is My Dog So Itchy? Common Causes & How to Help

A little scratching is perfectly normal for dogs. But when your dog seems to be scratching constantly, licking their paws, chewing at their skin or developing red and irritated areas, something else may be going on.

Itchy skin—often called pruritus—is one of the most common reasons dogs visit the veterinarian. The challenge is that itching isn't a disease itself. It's a symptom, and there are many possible causes.

Fleas and other parasites, environmental allergies, food sensitivities, bacterial or yeast infections and other skin conditions can all make a dog uncomfortable. Nutrition can also play an important role in maintaining healthy skin and coat.

Let's look at some of the most common reasons dogs itch—and what you can do to help.

First: How Much Scratching Is Too Much?

Every dog scratches occasionally. It's time to pay closer attention when scratching or licking becomes frequent or seems difficult for your dog to stop.

Signs that your dog may be experiencing a skin problem include:

• Frequent scratching

• Constant paw licking or chewing

• Rubbing the face against furniture or carpeting

• Red or inflamed skin

• Hair loss or thinning patches

• Scabs or crusty areas

• Hot spots

• Recurring ear irritation

• Unusual skin odor

• Excessive dandruff or flaky skin

• Darkened or thickened skin

If these symptoms are severe, persistent or accompanied by open sores, swelling, discharge or significant hair loss, it's time to contact your veterinarian.

What Causes Itchy Skin in Dogs?

There isn't one single cause. In fact, some dogs have more than one issue occurring at the same time.

Here are some of the most common possibilities.

1. Fleas and Other Parasites

Before assuming that food is causing your dog's itching, it's important to rule out one of the most common culprits: parasites.

Fleas can make almost any dog itchy, but dogs with flea allergy dermatitis can have an especially strong reaction to flea bites. In sensitive dogs, even a small number of flea bites can cause considerable itching and irritation.

Ticks and mites can also contribute to skin problems.

And don't assume that because you haven't seen fleas, they aren't there. Fleas can be surprisingly difficult to spot, particularly during the early stages of an infestation.

Consistent parasite prevention and a veterinary examination can help determine whether fleas, mites or other parasites are contributing to the problem.

2. Environmental Allergies

Just like people, dogs can react to things in their environment.

Common environmental allergens can include:

• Pollen

• Grass

• Trees

• Weeds

• Mold

• Dust mites

• Other environmental substances

Dogs with environmental allergies—often called atopic dermatitis—may experience seasonal symptoms, although some dogs have problems throughout the year.

You may notice increased scratching during certain times of year or after your dog spends time outside.

Paw licking is particularly common. Dogs walk through grass, pollen and other potential allergens and then bring those substances inside on their paws and coat.

Wiping your dog's paws and coat after outdoor activities and bathing with an appropriate dog shampoo may help remove allergens from the skin.

For dogs with significant environmental allergies, your veterinarian may recommend additional treatments to control inflammation and itching.

3. Could Your Dog's Food Be Making Them Itchy?

This is one of the first questions many pet parents ask.

Food can cause skin problems in some dogs—but food isn't responsible for every itchy dog.

Dogs can develop adverse reactions to ingredients in their diet, including proteins they have eaten for a long time.

Possible signs of a food-related reaction can include:

• Persistent itching

• Paw licking

• Recurring ear problems

• Red or irritated skin

• Gastrointestinal problems such as loose stool or excessive gas

Unlike many environmental allergies, food-related symptoms may occur year-round rather than seasonally.

It's Often the Protein, Not the Grain

There's a common assumption that itchy dogs are allergic to grains.

While dogs can react to many different ingredients, food allergies more commonly involve proteins.

Depending on the dog's previous diet and exposure, proteins such as chicken, beef or dairy may be considered when investigating a possible food reaction.

Simply switching from a grain-inclusive food to a grain-free food doesn't necessarily solve the problem if both foods contain the same protein source.

That's why looking at the entire ingredient profile is important.

4. Limited-Ingredient and Novel-Protein Diets

When food sensitivity is suspected, changing the protein source may be helpful.

A limited-ingredient diet generally uses fewer primary ingredients, which can make it easier to control what the dog is eating.

A novel protein is a protein the dog has had little or no previous exposure to. Depending on the dog's diet history, examples might include:

• Duck

• Rabbit

• Venison

• Lamb

• Pork

• Fish

What qualifies as "novel" depends entirely on what your dog has eaten before.

For example, duck isn't a novel protein for a dog that has eaten duck-based food and treats for years.

This is one reason keeping track of your dog's previous foods, treats and chews can be useful when trying to identify a dietary problem.

5. Elimination Diets

When a veterinarian suspects a true food allergy, an elimination diet trial is one of the more reliable ways to investigate it.

The dog is fed a carefully selected diet containing a novel protein or, in some cases, a veterinary hydrolyzed-protein diet for a specified period.

During a strict elimination trial, other foods must usually be avoided—including treats, table food and flavored chews—because even small exposures can interfere with the results.

This is different from casually changing foods every couple of weeks.

If your dog has significant or persistent skin problems, work with your veterinarian before beginning an elimination diet so the trial can be structured properly.

Nutrition and Healthy Skin

Even when food isn't the underlying cause of an allergy, good nutrition is important for maintaining healthy skin and coat.

The skin is the body's largest organ and requires adequate nutrients to maintain its natural protective barrier.

Several nutrients are particularly important.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids—particularly EPA and DHA from marine sources such as fish oil—can support normal skin function and a healthy inflammatory response.

Many premium foods contain omega-3 fatty acids, and supplements are also available.

Because supplements vary considerably in concentration, ask your veterinarian about an appropriate amount for your dog.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Omega-6 fatty acids also play an important role in maintaining the skin barrier and coat.

The goal isn't to eliminate omega-6 fats but to provide an appropriate nutritional balance.

High-Quality Protein

Skin and hair require protein.

A complete and balanced diet containing appropriate amounts of high-quality protein provides amino acids the body uses to maintain healthy skin and coat.

Moisture Matters Too

Adding moisture to a dog's diet can be another way to support overall health.

Depending on your dog's needs and preferences, this might include incorporating wet food, fresh or gently cooked food, frozen raw food or appropriate toppers into the diet.

Fresh water should, of course, always be available.

Yeast and Bacterial Skin Infections

Sometimes the itching starts with an allergy or other irritation—but scratching and inflammation can then damage the skin's natural protective barrier.

This can allow yeast or bacteria that normally live on the skin to multiply excessively.

Signs may include:

• Red, inflamed skin

• Greasy skin or coat

• Strong or unusual odor

• Crusts or sores

• Hair loss

• Persistent paw licking

• Recurring ear problems

These infections can make an already itchy dog even itchier, creating a frustrating cycle.

Bacterial and yeast infections generally require veterinary diagnosis and treatment. Changing food alone isn't likely to resolve an active infection.

Hot Spots

Hot spots are areas of acute skin inflammation that can develop very quickly.

A dog may begin licking or chewing one irritated spot and continue until the skin becomes red, moist and painful.

Allergies, insect bites, moisture trapped in the coat and other sources of irritation can contribute to hot spots.

Because hot spots can worsen rapidly and may become infected, veterinary care is recommended, particularly when the area is large, painful, spreading or producing discharge.

Don't Forget the Ears

Recurring ear problems and itchy skin sometimes occur together.

Dogs with allergies may be more susceptible to recurring ear inflammation and secondary yeast or bacterial infections.

If your dog frequently scratches their ears, shakes their head or has redness, discharge or a strong odor coming from the ears, have your veterinarian examine them.

Repeatedly treating the ears without investigating the underlying cause may mean the problem keeps returning.

Bathing Can Help—But Choose the Right Products

Bathing can remove dirt, pollen and other environmental allergens from your dog's coat and skin.

But more bathing isn't automatically better.

Harsh shampoos or products designed for people can disrupt a dog's skin barrier and potentially make irritation worse.

Choose shampoos formulated specifically for dogs. Depending on the problem, moisturizing, soothing or veterinary medicated shampoos may be appropriate.

If your dog has a diagnosed skin condition or infection, follow your veterinarian's recommendation regarding bathing frequency and medicated products.

What Can I Do at Home for My Itchy Dog?

If your dog is experiencing mild itching, start by looking at the bigger picture.

Think about:

When did the itching start?
Did it begin after a food change? Is it seasonal? Did it start after spending more time outside?

Where is your dog itching?
Paws? Ears? Belly? Back? All over?

What does your dog eat?
Don't forget treats, chews, table food, toppers and supplements. They all count when evaluating potential food sensitivities.

Is your dog protected against fleas and ticks?
Parasites should be considered even if you haven't seen them.

Have there been recurring ear or skin infections?
Repeated infections can be an important clue that something else is driving the inflammation.

These observations can be extremely helpful when speaking with your veterinarian.

How J-B Pet Supplies Can Help With Diet

Choosing food for a dog with suspected sensitivities can be confusing—especially when you're standing in front of dozens of bags that all make different claims.

This is an area where our experienced J-B Pet Supplies staff can help.

We can talk with you about what your dog is currently eating, review the proteins and ingredients they've already been exposed to and help you explore appropriate food options.

Depending on your dog's needs, that may include:

• Limited-ingredient diets

• Alternative or novel proteins

• Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids

• Frozen raw diets

• Freeze-dried foods

• Gently cooked foods

• Skin and coat supplements

• Appropriate treats and chews that fit the same dietary plan

And remember: if you're testing a new protein, treats matter too. Feeding a duck-based diet while continuing to give chicken treats can defeat the purpose of trying to remove chicken from the diet.

Our staff can help you look at the entire feeding routine—not just what's in the food bowl.

We aren't a replacement for your veterinarian, and we don't diagnose allergies or skin conditions. But when nutrition is part of the plan, we can help you understand your food choices and find an option that works for you and your dog.

When Should You See Your Veterinarian?

Occasional scratching isn't usually cause for alarm. Persistent or severe itching deserves veterinary attention.

Contact your veterinarian if your dog has:

• Constant or intense itching

• Open sores or bleeding

• Significant hair loss

• Swollen or painful skin

• A strong skin or ear odor

• Recurring ear infections

• Discharge from the skin or ears

• Rapidly spreading hot spots

• Significant changes in appetite, behavior or energy

Your veterinarian can help determine whether parasites, allergies, infections or another medical condition is causing the problem.

The Bottom Line

If your dog is constantly scratching, don't automatically blame the food—but don't ignore nutrition either.

Itchy skin can be caused by fleas and parasites, environmental allergies, food reactions, bacterial or yeast infections and other skin conditions. In some dogs, several factors may be involved at the same time.

The best approach is to identify the underlying cause rather than simply trying to stop the scratching.

Your veterinarian should be your first resource for persistent or severe skin problems. And when diet is part of the solution, the knowledgeable staff at J-B Pet Supplies is here to help you navigate your options and find a food that fits your dog's individual needs.

Healthy skin starts with understanding what's causing the itch.

This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Persistent itching, skin lesions, ear infections or other symptoms should be evaluated by your veterinarian.