Why is My Dog So Itchy? A Simple Guide to Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
If your dog’s scratching is keeping you up at night (or driving you a little nuts), you’re not alone—and there are good ways to help.
Most of us have been there: you hear the collar jingle at 2 a.m., and the scratching starts again. Or maybe it’s nonstop paw licking or head shaking. Either way, itchy skin is the #1 reason pets end up at the vet—and it’s no fun for you or your dog.
So why are they so itchy and what can we do?
When “a little itchy” becomes a real problem
Any animal will itch from time to time- just like we do. When they begin to have what I call itching events is when we have a problem. It usually looks like this:
- an obsessive and constant licking, chewing, scratching
- rolling or rubbing on carpet or furniture
- frequent head shaking or ear scratching
- events that are prolonged and difficult or impossible to distract them from
Many people’s go-to is to blame the problem on fleas; and while those pesky creatures can certainly be to blame and can cause a significant itch, many dogs today are on good quality flea control and that itch is due to something else. Enter allergies. This topic can get extensive, with many underlying causes and contributing factors to assess. This article will focus on seasonal allergies, the most common type, but stay tuned as my next article will dive deeper into non-seasonal causes of itch.
Why dog allergies don’t look like our allergies
When I say “allergies” most people immediately compare it to the seasonal allergies humans suffer from: itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose and are quick to try over the counter antihistamines. While allergies are due to seasonal pollen, the internal driving force behind all that itching is not histamine so an anti-histamine is unlikely to have much effect. Think of dog allergies more like a person with eczema. Under the surface, there is a combination of genetics they were born with confounded by environmental triggers such as pollen, dusts, molds, etc. So, the appropriate term for what you are seeing is allergic (atopic) dermatitis.
Do we have to figure out exactly what they’re allergic to?
Most pet owners are eager to know why this has started and what their pet is reacting to. This is a totally reasonable request but many times it’s unnecessary and may be impossible. There was a great article I read recently from the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) that discussed the increases in cases of allergies in animals and humans over the last decade. And while the genetics we are born with play a major role, there is more and more evidence that the pollution that surrounds us, the chemicals that touch us, and the food we eat, all play a role in enhancing the inflammation and triggers for itch in our skin. Going through all these factors would take us down a long and dark rabbit hole, so let’s dig into what we do know for sure and what we can do about it.
The itch-infection cycle (and why it can spiral)
Animals who have developed allergic dermatitis have a weakened skin barrier- either from genetics or from constant skin inflammation. Once the itching starts, things can snowball fast:
- They are itchy so they lick, chew and scratch which further degrades the skin barrier.
- Next, bacteria and yeast from the environment can now take hold and create secondary skin infections which normal skin would have protected them from.
- These secondary infections ramp up the itchiness and the cycle continues.
Seasonal allergies: What to look for (and what helps)
The vast majority of dogs suffer from seasonal allergies: pollen from grasses, trees, plants, etc that bloom and grow at certain times of year. So, the first thing to do if you notice your pet itching is to try to recognize the pattern.
- Is it only at certain times of year?
- Are there seasons where they seem totally comfortable?
Also, it is important to note here that allergies begin to rear their heads in our pet’s second year of life and can become worse year after year. So just because you didn’t notice it last year, doesn’t mean it isn’t developing this year.
For seasonal allergies our goal is to control the itch and any secondary infections during their itchy months. Just as we medicate ourselves as needed during our allergy seasons, it is the same with pets. But even though it may be seasonal, remember it is still more like eczema, so prescription medications are often needed. These medications work to:
- target inflammation
- reduce itch
- eliminate any secondary infections
- repair and enhance the skin barrier
Luckily these days, there are a lot more options than there used to be with great safety profiles and efficacy. Call us to make an appointment so we can discuss what would be best for your pet.
Can this be cured?
The most unfortunate news I have for you is that we are not curing anything here. The itchiness will return year after year, which many times leads to owner frustration. But hopefully understanding what is happening, becoming aware of their season of itch, and arming yourself with products to help reduce itch and boost skin immunity will help lessen the severity and ease your pet’s discomfort.
Up next: the non-seasonal scratcher- other common causes of itch and when testing might make sense.
Lindsay Baker, DVM