It may look like that dog scratching is just one of those behaviors you can take for granted. However, lots of dog owners all over the world are keen to learn how to stop dog scratching. Apart from fleas, food allergies, and also fixations on their skin, a dog that keeps on scratching can trigger hot spots, infections, and other skin conditions. And if not treated correctly, can progress to severe long term conditions.
The Causes of Dog Scratching
Before finding out how to stop dog scratching, you must first determine what causes it. Here are the various reasons why a dog might scratch persistently.
Infection - infections can either be caused by bacteria, yeast, or fungi. You can examine for infections by merely looking for greasy sores, hairless patches, or red swelling for any of the three.
Neurogenic - in certain cases the cause can be a lack of exercise or mental stimulation and also separation stress. Excessive licking and chewing are also signs of nervous problem.
Allergenic - skin problems from food allergies, plant allergies, dust and also flea allergies, and some other allergies can lead to extreme itching to a dog.
Nutritional - if your dog doesn't get the proper nutrients in their diet can make their dry skin, and will grow into eczema, sores, or simply terrible hair that leads to dryness.
Environmental - if your dog is quite the adventurer, something in the surroundings might have triggered the incessantly scratching. Too much water from swimming, burrowing, or playing outside can trigger scratching.
Parasites - All parasites can lead to itching, this includes fleas, gnats, ticks, flies, and also mites. But don't worry, because most medicines can prevent parasites.
Visiting the Vet
Although you can examine for yourself, you have to talk to the veterinarian and have your dog thoroughly examined to be sure. Not to mention that the veterinarian can provide you with the right medicine for various causes of the itching. For example, the veterinarian will give you antibiotics or anti-fungal if your dog has an infection. Antihistamines added with an adjustment in a diet for allergies and flea baths, and medicines for parasites.
Dealing with Neurogenic Scratching
Not like the other five issues, neurogenic scratching is the most difficult to stop. Simply because you have to first pinpoint why the dog feels the desire to scratch his skin continuously before treating him.
Normally, your dog might be simply bored and has developed tick to scratch and lick incessantly. You can basically stop this by making sure that your dog receives plenty of exercise. You can also put bitter apple spray or cayenne pepper on your dog's preferred licking spots.
You can also get a cone from the veterinarian that will not allow the dog to get to those itching hot spots. You can take away the cone and spray once the dog has more energetic exercise plan.
But if your dog continues scratching, visit the veterinarian again to make sure you rule out any other physical conditions.
Although usually dog scratching can be easily dealt with, you still need to pay close attention to dog and what he really does. Prevention is much better than cure and you can never be too careful.
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