Your furry friend scratches all day and you don't know why? Maybe you've noticed that dandruff is coming off? Dry skin could be a possible, often harmless, reason for your four-legged friend's increased scratching. But food allergies or mites could also cause the itching. We'll show you how to find out the cause and which home remedies can help:

Causes of the itching

As with humans, scratching in dogs is completely normal in moderation. For example, scratching can be an evasive gesture due to being overwhelmed or simply because a blade of grass has pricked you. The problem: The difference between normal and pathological itching is very fluid. Signs of pathological itching can be dandruff, a change in the smell of the skin, bald patches in the fur or changes in behavior such as restlessness. In general, one can say: If your furry friend scratches itself intensively several times a day or howls during it, for example, you should keep an eye on its behavior. Below we show various reasons that could be the cause of our four-legged friends scratching.

mites, fleas and other parasites

Fleas can be a cause of severe itching, especially in dogs from shelters abroad. The fleas' saliva triggers an allergic reaction, which causes the itching. Even a single flea bite can lead to severe itching. The small bloodsuckers can be recognized by the flea droppings that hang between the fur or by using a flea comb or by the large fleas themselves that wander through the fur.

The so-called flea saliva allergy is the most common allergy in dogs. Lice, other biting lice and mites can also cause severe itching in our four-legged friends. Autumn grass mites feel particularly comfortable in the area of ​​the paws. External parasites such as mites, biting lice or lice are also called ectoparasites. Fleas, biting lice or lice can be identified using a flea comb. If your way to combat the heat in summer is to jump into the lake, bathing dermatitis could also be the cause of the itching. Small water parasites called cercariae cause dermatitis in your furry friend, which leads to severe itching.

But parasites can cause itching not only on the skin. Intestinal parasites also lead to itching in the anal region. A typical sign of this is sliding the rear end across the floor or increased licking in this region.

In case of a parasite infestation, a veterinary practice should be visited in order to be able to identify the exact parasites under the microscope and to obtain the appropriate antidotes.

allergies and food intolerances

In an allergy, the immune system reacts excessively to what are otherwise harmless stimuli. Itching is one of the main symptoms of allergies. Diagnosis is usually made by exclusion and therefore often takes a lot of time.

Just like people, our furry friends can also develop allergies to pollen or grass. For example, if your four-legged friend scratches himself more in spring, this could be an indication of a grass allergy. Our four-legged friends can also have other environmental allergies, such as to cleaning products or house dust mites. E. An exclusion diet is often used to determine a food allergy. Alternatively, there is special food for sensitive four-legged friends, such as SENSITIVE LUPIN PROTEIN , which excludes the most common allergens in dogs and is therefore a good alternative to exclusion diets.

skin infections

Skin infections are often caused by bacteria or fungi. Fungal infections can be particularly persistent and last a long time. Bacteria and yeasts thrive in moist areas such as the ears or paws and can lead to inflammation in the ear canal. Such infections are diagnosed through microscopic examinations. In some cases, it is also necessary to create bacterial or fungal cultures in the laboratory.

Dry skin

One reason for dry skin can be particularly dry air, for example from the heating, or an unbalanced diet. In this case, the diet may need to be changed. Otherwise, incorrect coat care, for example through frequent bathing or the use of unsuitable shampoos, can also lead to very dry skin in your furry friend.

Chronic diseases

Chronic illnesses such as metabolic disorders can also be the cause of severe itching. Diabetes mellitus or diseases of the liver or kidneys can make itching worse. The most common underlying disease that makes itching worse in dogs is an underactive thyroid. Increased licking of the paws can be caused by mites as well as behavioral factors.

Autoimmune diseases such as pemphigus complex, which attacks the upper layers of the skin, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, in which the conjunctiva and cornea dry out, can be causes of severe itching in your dog.

Relieve itching: coconut oil and other home remedies

Depending on the cause, chronic itching should be taken to a veterinary practice to choose a suitable therapy. Parasite infestations are often treated with antiparasitics, while bacterial or fungal infections are best treated locally with medicated shampoos and ointments. For severe, widespread infections, veterinarians can also prescribe injections or tablets, while for minor infections, an ointment is often sufficient to relieve the itching. In the case of allergic itching, allergens are avoided. In the case of environmental allergies, immunotherapy can be carried out.

To prevent scratching from worsening the skin condition, veterinarians may recommend acute therapy with anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and relieve itching. However, these drugs should only be administered after veterinary consultation, as they can have potentially undesirable side effects.

Homeopathy: What to avoid…

It is advisable to avoid using homeopathic remedies as a substitute for a visit to the vet. The self-healing placebo effect, which is sometimes effective in humans, has no effect on our four-legged friends and only delays the time when they receive the much-needed treatment at the veterinary practice.

In any case, you should consult a veterinarian in the long term, as failure to treat autoimmune diseases can have serious consequences. In addition, failure to treat itching can damage the skin. The consequences could be:

• the skin's natural protective functions are lost
• Pathogens penetrate more easily due to lack of protective functions
• further skin inflammations are caused by increased scratching
• and behavioral changes caused by constant stress