4 Tips to Prevent Self-Scratching and Biting in Dogs

A dog can be a great ally and best friend, but just like humans, dogs are susceptible to health issues. One common problem in dogs is over-scratching or biting certain areas of the body. If your pup keeps scratching and biting, it can lead to broken skin, lesions, and infection. If you would like to know more, check out these four tips to prevent and reduce scratching and biting in dogs.

1. Get Your Pup on Flea Control

If your dog suddenly starts scratching and biting themselves, the problem may be parasites. Fleas and ticks love your furry friend, and they will hitch a ride from outside and from other pets to feed on your dog's blood. These bites are usually too small to feel painful, but like when a mosquito bites you, it can cause irritation and itching at the bite site. In addition, some dogs are allergic to fleabites, so the irritation continues long after the bite.

You can easily spot fleas on your dog by spreading their fur. You may see them walking along the skin between the hairs, or you may see flea droppings. These droppings usually look black since they consist mostly of dried blood. Even if you don't see fleas, flea droppings indicate an infestation.

You may want to start by bathing your dog with a flea-killing shampoo. This will kill any active fleas, but it won't prevent new fleas from hitching a ride, and it may not fully kill the eggs. Therefore, you may want to speak with your vet about flea-preventative products like drops, chews, and collars.

2. Check Your Food Ingredients

If your pup has no fleas but continues to scratch, the problem may be allergies. Food allergies are extremely common in dogs. When your dog is allergic to their food, the body's immune system creates antibodies that attack some part of the food. This can lead to extreme itching, and many dogs with food allergies may lick and chew their paws often.

While any ingredient can cause an allergic response, proteins are often the source of the allergy. The only way to treat your dog's food allergy is to switch to a food that doesn't contain the offending ingredient.

3. Determine If Your Dog Is Actually Itchy

In some cases, your dog may not actually be itchy. Anxiety is a common problem in dogs, especially those who have not been properly trained and/or those who don't get enough exercise. Many dogs also suffer from separation anxiety when you leave them at home.

In this case, the itching and biting becomes a coping mechanism for their anxiety. Just like you may rub your hands together or play with your ring when you are anxious, your dog finds something to distract themselves from their stress: scratching and biting. In this case, you'll need to work with your dog to reduce stress and boredom.

If your dog bites and licks more often than scratches, the problem may be pain. If your dog is in pain, they may lick or chew on the area, much like you may rub a sore muscle. However, dogs may end up being too aggressive, causing breaks in the skin.

4. Talk to Your Vet About Skin Infections

Lots of scratching or biting can lead to skin infections. Folliculitis is one type of skin infection that attacks the hair follicles. This is usually a side effect of allergies, and it may cause bumps and sores to develop. You may be able to reduce the symptoms with a good bath, but the real solution is to treat the underlying infection that is irritating the hair follicles.

Dogs can also develop yeast infections. These can appear anywhere on the body, but they are commonly found in moist areas that are hard to clean, such as around your dog's ears or between the toes. You'll need an antifungal medicine to kill a yeast infection.

If your dog scratches and bites themselves a lot, they may be miserable. There are many causes of itching in dogs, but the solutions are usually simple and may include flea medicine, antibiotics, antifungal, and food changes. If you would like to know more or if you want to get your pup examined, contact us at the South San Diego Veterinary Hospital.