Itchy skin is one of the most common reasons pet owners seek veterinary care for their four-legged friend. While some scratching is normal, excessive scratching, biting, and licking could be a serious health condition sign. Nonstop itchiness will cause your pet to feel miserable, and can lead to a skin infection if the behavior persists. To alleviate your pet’s itchiness and provide them with long-term relief, our Memorial Villages Animal Hospital team must determine the underlying condition causing your four-legged friend’s skin problem. Learn itchy pet do’s and don’ts to help ensure your furry pal gets the treatment they need to ditch the itch and soothe their skin. 

DO check your pet for fleas and mites

Pesky parasites can cause itching in pets, and fleas and skin mites are the most common culprits. 

  • Fleas — When a flea feeds on your pet, they inject a small amount of saliva into your four-legged friend’s skin. If your pet has flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), they are allergic to compounds in flea saliva. One flea bite is enough to cause an extremely itchy reaction. Affected pets scratch, bite, lick, chew, and rub constantly to help relieve the itching. Hair loss commonly occurs, especially at their tail base. The constant scratching often leads to open abrasions, and your pet may leave bite marks on their abdomen and groin area. In many cases, you do not find a flea on your pet because your furry pal has been excessively grooming, removing the parasites. If FAD is suspected, our veterinary team will use a flea comb to check for flea dirt (i.e., flea excrement). If we find flea dirt, we will initiate your pet’s treatment by first getting rid of the fleas on your pet’s body. During the treatment period, all fleas must be removed from your pet and their environment to prevent future flares. Year-round flea prevention is the best way to protect your pet from FAD. 
  • Mites —  Two skin mite types (i.e., Demodex and Sarcoptes) can cause a pet to experience hair loss, skin crusting, and itchiness. Ear mites are another common pest that affect pets. If you suspect your pet has mites, your veterinarian can perform a skin scrape or other diagnostic screenings to confirm the pests’ presence and recommend a treatment plan based on the mite type and the infestation severity.

DON’T forget to brush your pet 

Regularly brushing your pet’s fur helps remove loose hair, dirt, and debris from their coat, and allows you to check for fleas, ticks, and other unwanted parasites. Depending on your pet’s coat, different brush types work best, so ensure you choose the right brush for your pet’s coat. A slick brush is ideal for long-haired pets, while a bristle brush is best for short-haired pets. Start by brushing your pet’s head, and work your way down to their tail, paying particular attention to any tangles or mats.

DO determine if your pet has allergies

Allergies don’t discriminate by species, and like you, your pet can have an allergic reaction to environmental allergens such as pollen, mold, and dust. Pets’ allergies affect their skin, causing atopic dermatitis, and your four-legged friend can experience skin inflammation and itchiness, leading them to rub, lick, bite, and scratch. A pet who constantly scratches and chews their itchy spots can develop secondary infections when bacteria come into contact with irritated skin. To accurately diagnose your pet’s allergy, our veterinarian will perform a skin scrape, blood work, and intradermal allergy testing to pinpoint specific allergy triggers. By diagnosing the exact allergens causing your pet’s sensitivity, our Memorial Villages Animal Hospital team can tailor your furry pal’s treatment plan to address their specific needs, rather than simply treating their signs. 

DON’T bathe your pet too frequently

Avoid stripping your pet’s skin of its natural oils or causing chemical irritation from shampoo. Bathe your pet every few months and less often during the winter. When bathing your furry pal, use a moisturizing pet shampoo and thoroughly rinse out the soap. 

DO consider your pet’s stress level

Although stress doesn’t truly cause itchy skin, anxiety can cause your pet to develop a compulsive desire to lick and chew, making them appear itchy. Stressed, anxious pets often overgroom and lick, chew, and scratch incessantly as a calming behavior, which can cause hair loss and sores. If stress is causing your pet to itch, our team must manage your four-legged friend’s underlying anxiety.

DON’T ignore your pet’s persistent itching 

A woman gently holds a white cat while a veterinarian examines it for pet pain management. The doctor, wearing blue scrubs, holds a clipboard in one hand. They both focus attentively on the cat

Your pet’s excessive itchiness isn’t something you should ignore. If your four-legged friend is itching and scratching more than usual, schedule an appointment with our team. We will determine your pet’s underlying problem and prescribe treatments based on the cause. 

If your pet is itching incessantly, they likely feel incredibly miserable. Schedule an appointment for your itchy pet with our Memorial Villages Animal Hospital team, and help your furry pal ditch their itch.