Have you noticed your cat or dog biting at their skin, or are they displaying excessive licking or scratching? If so, they may have an itchy skin problem. If not treated promptly, this problem can advance to red, irritated skin, hair loss, or even dangerous open wounds.
Itching in our furry family can have many causes, which include:
- Skin parasites (fleas, mites, lice, mosquitoes, ticks)
- Environmental allergens (pollen, dust mites, mold)
- Contact allergens (poison oak or ivy, detergents, fabric softeners, fabrics, herbicides/pesticides/fertilizers)
- Food allergies or sensitivity (wheat, dairy, beef, more)
- Skin infections (bacterial or fungal)
- Ear infections (can cause intense itching around the ears)
Prevention
There are a few simple steps you can take to be proactive and prevent itchy skin in your pet. These include:
- Year-round flea and tick protection
- Restricting human food intake
- Prebiotics and probiotics to boost your pet's immunity
- Avoiding contact with potential contact allergens. When walking your dog, this is best achieved by always keeping them on-leash and closely monitoring what they are doing at all times.
What should you do if you are noticing symptoms?
Luckily, itchy skin is usually not a medical emergency. With that being said, you should still make an appointment to have your pet assessed and treated as soon as possible. It's important to get to the root of the problem and find a cure. Untreated itchy skin can potentially become serious if left untreated. It can also have an underlying cause that is transmissible to other pets and their human family. So if you suspect itchy skin, make an appointment with us. Your pet will thank you!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office.
336-664-1522