Puppy Itching Explained: Causes and Treatment

Itchiness is a very common issue among our pups. You may notice them scratching, rubbing, chewing, and even licking their itchy skin. While a little scratch now and then is normal, if they’re excessively itchy, have fur loss, or have red skin, there’s something amiss.

Itchy skin has a wide range of causes, and the key to dealing with the issue is to determine what is driving the itchiness as soon as possible. This can include a physical exam, diagnostic tests, and ongoing observations, such as keeping a ‘reaction’ diary.

While some itchy pups can be quickly cured, those with allergies will continue to experience ongoing itching, which needs to be managed as a lifelong condition.

Common Causes of Itching in Puppies

Itching can have a wide range of causes, and you may need to put on your detective hat to figure out what’s bothering your puppy.

Parasites

Parasites are prevalent when young. We tend to see ear mites, mange (skin mites), fleas, and lice in puppies. All of these parasites cause intense itchiness.

Allergies

Though allergies are one of the top causes of itching in adults, they’re not as prevalent in puppies. Still, very atopic dogs can start to show signs from just a few months of age.

They can react to things in their environment (such as dust or pollen), as well as to ingredients in their diet (such as chicken or grains).

Skin Infections

Bacterial infections can be quite itchy, while fungal infections generally won’t cause much irritation. As well as itching, you may notice crusty lesions and a bad smell.

Contact Irritants

If your pup encounters an irritant, such as a noxious chemical or plant, its skin may react by developing inflammation and even hives. Usually, only the parts of the skin that contact the irritant are affected.

Nutritional Deficiencies

An uncommon cause of skin issues at this age is nutritional deficiencies. A diet lacking nutrients such as fatty acids, B vitamins, Vitamin E, or zinc could lead to dry and itchy skin.

Recognising the Signs and Symptoms

Remember that your dog is not just going to scratch when itchy; there are many other signs to look for.

Excessive Scratching, Biting, or Licking

They’ll use their sharp claws to scratch any itchy spots they can reach, and they are also potentially going to rub their face, scoot their bottom, shake their head, nibble at their paws and lick all over.

The sensation of being itchy bothers them just as much as it would a human, and they will do what they can to scratch that itch.

Redness, Rashes, or Inflamed Patches on the Skin

Puppies don’t hold back when it comes to scratching and chewing, which can quickly damage their skin and lead to fur loss. A puppy’s skin can become scabby and sore seemingly overnight.

Bacterial infections, particularly Staphylococcus infections, can cause red scabby rings to form on the skin. Some owners confuse these with Lyme Disease.

Hair loss or Patches of Thinning Fur

Fur is quickly lost as it gets rubbed and pulled at, meaning their coat becomes thin. They can even develop patches of fur loss in the worst-affected areas.

Appearance of Hot Spots, Scabs, or Sores

Those with more severe skin disease may develop lesions including hot spots (acute moist dermatitis), large scabs, and oozing sores. These individuals must be seen more urgently, as they will be uncomfortable.

Changes in Behaviour

You may notice your dog is restless and irritated and finds it hard to rest. In dogs with more advanced skin disease, they could become lethargic and may even go off their food. These dogs are unhappy in their skin.

If your pup is acting extremely lethargic or appears to have an allergic reaction (facial swelling, hives, trouble breathing), it is important to contact an emergency vet.

Potential Complications if Untreated

Skin disease usually gets worse unless addressed appropriately. You should contact your vet to arrange an appointment as soon as you notice an issue.

Progression to More Severe Infections

Broken skin is much more prone to infection, as pathogens get through the damaged skin barrier and multiply. As the skin disease takes hold, we can see pustules, scabs, hot spots, and abscesses.

Development of Chronic Skin Conditions

If skin disease is not treated, puppies can develop a darker skin complexion, scarring, and thickening, with some changes even being permanent.

Behavioural Issues Due to Discomfort

As these pups are uncomfortable and constantly irritated, they’re unlikely to have much energy or focus left for training and socialisation.

The first year of life is crucial for children's development, and real behavioural issues can emerge if they’re unable to participate properly.

When to Seek Veterinary Help

Getting the correct vet care on time is essential to prevent the skin disease from spreading and to keep your fluffy friend comfortable.

Persistent Itching Lasting More Than a Few Days

If you’ve noticed that your puppy is suddenly spending a lot more time itching, it's worth looking into. Though a little bit of extra scratching could be explained by warmer weather or getting sweaty, signs persisting for a few days are a red flag.

Signs of Pain, Bleeding, or Open Sores

Look through the fur to check their skin. If you notice the skin is broken or bleeding, this confirms that vet help is required.

Unusual Lethargy or Changes in Appetite

Once the skin disease progresses to the point that your pup is mentally affected, they really do need our help. This should be looked into if they’re so irritated that they struggle to sleep or eat.

Concerns About Weight Loss or Failure to Thrive

Younger puppies are especially prone to failure to thrive if they have a severe skin disease, such as sarcoptic mange. It is a good idea to weigh these guys regularly to ensure they’re growing appropriately.

Getting Diagnoses for Puppy Itching

When your vet sees your pup, they’ll consider several factors,, including its age and breed, where it’s most itchy, what its skin looks like, and whether anything has recently changed in its environment.

Veterinary Examination

During the vet exam, they’ll check their skin from nose to tail, looking for any redness, thickening, or scabs. They should also look out for any associated issues, such as ear infections or blocked anal glands.

Diagnostic Tests

In some cases, diagnostic tests would be recommended. These can include a skin scrape to check for mites, a culture to assess for an infection, and perhaps an impression smear to examine the cells involved.

Allergy Testing

Allergy testing is usually not recommended in puppies under the age of one. Before the immune system is fully developed, allergy tests are quite unreliable.

When your pup is old enough, your vet may discuss an IgE blood test or an intradermal skin test to check for suspected allergies.

Treatment Options for Puppy Itching

Thankfully, there are lots of things we can do to help your puppy get comfortable again. Many treatments are curative. When it comes to something like allergies, though, it can be more a case of managing signs and trying to prevent flare-ups rather than eliminating them forever.

Topical Treatments

For more localised issues, topical washes and creams may be enough to control signs. For example, this can be the case with a single crusty lesion. Topical therapy won’t be the best choice for more widespread skin disease.

Medicated washes, such as those containing Chlorhexidine, are a great way to reduce bacteria and yeast overgrowth when it is widespread. Your vet may also discuss a wash that reduces excess scale or one that is ultra-hydrating, depending on your pup’s specific needs.

Oral Medications

For many, oral medicine will be given, as it will affect all skin. This can include antibiotics and anti-itch medicine such as corticosteroids or oclacitinib.

Parasite Control

Of course, eliminating any external parasites is key. Your vet should issue an effective medicine against the most common external parasites, such as one from the Isoxazoline class, like Bravecto or Nexgard Spectra.

Dietary Adjustments

Your vet may mention an exclusion or hypoallergenic diet when food is a suspected trigger. This diet needs to be offered for at least eight weeks to determine whether it has helped.

Some of the more common food allergens include chicken, beef, grains, soy, dairy, and eggs.

Immunotherapy

For those with proven allergies, your vet may discuss a series of injections, which are given to help stop the immune system from overreacting. However, this is usually reserved for dogs over the age of one.

Prevention and Long-Term Management

Going forward, you may need to implement some lifestyle changes to keep your pup itch-free.

Regular Grooming and Bathing Schedules

Daily brushing is a nice way to keep the coat in good condition and spread your dog’s natural oils along its fur. You will also remove the dead fur they have shed and prevent mats.

Puppies should not be bathed too often, as this dries out their skin. For most, a bath every month or two is quite enough.

Maintaining a High-Quality Diet for Skin and Coat Health

Diets should be complete and rich in ingredients such as fatty acids and high-quality proteins. Remember, your pup should be fed puppy-specific food until fully grown.

Consistent Parasite Prevention

Depending on their lifestyle and the product used, you’ll usually give external parasite prevention about once a month. Preventative health care is one of the most effective ways to keep our young dogs healthy.

Keeping Living Areas Clean and Free from Irritants

Keeping the home clean and reducing the amount of dust and pollen can be especially helpful. Consider damp dusting to reduce dust mite levels, and an air purifier if pollen is a problem.

Scheduling Routine Veterinary Check-Ups

While they grow, your pup should be a regular at the local vet clinic. This way, any medical issues can be detected early on.

Regular visits are also an opportunity to weigh your puppy, so you know they’re getting the correct dose of parasite prevention.

Home Remedies for Puppy Itching

Milder conditions may be managed from home with medicated washes and skin supplements. However, do consult with your vet before considering at-home care.

For some allergic patients, their vet may recommend giving over-the-counter antihistamines.

Get More Help With Puppy Itching

Please contact us if you’re concerned about your pup's skin. We are well-versed in the wide range of skin conditions that pups can develop and are always happy to assist and guide you and your furry friend.

FAQs

How often should I bathe my itchy puppy?

If your pup is itchy, you may need to bathe it a bit more often than usual to help relieve the itch and remove surface yeast and bacteria. Your vet can advise you on the ideal frequency for your pup, but medicated washes are typically prescribed for use once or twice a week.

When should I try an elimination diet for my puppy’s itching?

I’d not jump to trialling an elimination diet in a young puppy, as food allergies usually develop over the first few years of life. However, it could be considered if your vet has ruled out other, more likely causes of the itching.

Are natural remedies like coconut oil safe for my puppy’s skin?

Coconut oil is a natural product that can potentially be used as a moisturiser and skin barrier, yes. However, do consult your vet before using it, particularly if your pet has any skin lesions.