Jingle … jingle …. No, that’s not Santa’s sleigh bells. Rather the sound is the jingling of your pet’s collar tags as your pet scratches, licks, chews, and shakes trying to alleviate their itching. Itchy, irritated skin (i.e., pruritus) is a common problem in cats and dogs, with numerous causes.

Itchy pets can become so uncomfortable that they will scratch and dig until their skin is raw and their fur is gone. Getting to the bottom of your furry pal’s itchiness is critical for effective treatment. Here are seven possible reasons your pet is itchy.

#1: Your pet has fleas

Fleas are one of the most common culprits of itching in pets. Fleas are tiny pests that are hugely irritating, and their bites can trigger an allergic reaction that causes hypersensitive pets to explode in an incredibly itchy rash. Pets who are not allergic to fleas are less affected, but they can still be uncomfortable, evidenced by the way they will suddenly jump up or bite at their hind end.

Flea-allergic pets are easy to spot, because they have the classic sign of hind-end hair loss. Fleas most often gather at your pet’s tail base, where they generate the most intense itching and cause alopecia (i.e., hair loss) on the hind legs and tail.

#2: Your pet has allergies

Pets can also be allergic to environmental substances, such as pollen, mold, dust mites, and food. Inhalant allergies (i.e., atopy) are often seasonal, and you will see surges during the spring growing season and fall harvest season. Atopy can appear as generalized itching, while contact allergies (i.e., reactions that occur when your pet steps in pollen-coated grass) typically are localized.

Food allergies, while uncommon, are a year-round problem for pets they affect, and management can be tricky. If your pet is food-allergic, they are most likely sensitive to a protein source, such as chicken, beef, lamb, dairy, fish, or soy. Common food allergy signs include itchy, inflamed paws and ears, and chronic anal gland issues.

#3: Your pet has a skin infection

Skin infections can be caused by bacteria, yeast, or a combination, and often develop in allergic pets whose excessive scratching and chewing damages the skin barrier, which is then vulnerable to infection. Infections can also develop between skin folds, such as in a bulldog’s face wrinkles or the nub of their corkscrew tail.

Bacterial and yeast infections can also take root in your pet’s ears, often because of allergies, although ear conformation also plays a part. For example, floppy ears can trap moisture and debris and create the perfect pathogen breeding ground. 

#4: Your pet has dry skin

Although Stanton doesn’t get particularly cold in the winter, if you like to keep your home warm by running your furnace, the heated air can dry out your pet’s skin, which then feels tight and itchy. Too much bathing can also dry out your pet’s skin, and poor grooming habits can result in matted fur and skin damage.

#5: Your pet has mange

Sarcoptic and demodectic mange mites can make your pet incredibly itchy and result in hair loss and irritated, thickened skin. While demodex mites live naturally on your pet’s skin, in a pet whose immune system is weakened, the mite population can flourish and overwhelm your furry pal’s defenses. Sarcoptes, on the other hand, is contagious, and the mites can be transmitted to other pets or people.

#6: Your pet has a poor diet

A diet lacking in omega-3 fatty acids and the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals can result in a dull coat and flaky, itchy skin, so preserve your pet’s skin and coat with a diet that contains high-quality protein sources and is packed with nutrients.

#7: Your pet has a chronic condition

Some chronic conditions can affect your pet’s outward appearance, interfere with the health of their skin and fur, and cause hair loss because of their excessive licking, chewing, and scratching. Some chronic issues that can make your pet itchy include:

  • Hypothyroidism
  • Cushing’s disease
  • Autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus, pemphigus)
  • Skin cancer
  • Stress or anxiety

Some conditions do not cause itching themselves but can lead to secondary yeast or bacterial infections that make your pet itchy. The itchiness can usually be minimized with effective management.

An itchy pet is likely a miserable pet. Don’t wait until your furry pal chews and scratches their skin raw. Instead, give our Stanton Pet Hospital team a call to schedule an appointment at the first sign of your pet itching and scratching.