Introduction

If you’re a dog owner, then you know what it’s like to get an itch. Your dog might have scratched their ear, got into some of your food, or even rolled in the dirt outside. But if they’re scratching constantly and there isn’t anything obviously irritating them (like fleas or ticks), then it might be time to check in with the vet.

Allergies?

Allergies are a common cause of skin irritation in dogs. Symptoms include redness, itching and hair loss.

If you suspect that allergies are behind your dog’s scratching, there are several things to consider. The most common culprits include:

• Food allergies – Many dog owners choose to make their own homemade food for their pets, but this can lead to problems if ingredients aren’t correctly measured. Common triggers include soybeans, wheat gluten and cornmeal. If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, talk with your vet about switching him or her over to a different brand of commercial dog food free from these ingredients (which will often be labeled as grain-free). You may also want to contact an allergist who specializes in pet health issues because they may prescribe special supplements or creams that can help alleviate symptoms associated with the condition.* Allergies caused by pollen – You may already know that grass pollen is bad news for humans during certain times of the year; it can be just as problematic for dogs too! If your pup starts scratching excessively during springtime months when trees begin producing new leaves and flowers start blooming again after winter dormancy periods have passed then ask yourself whether there might be some connection between these activities happening simultaneously with increased amounts of itching being experienced by Fido.* Fleas & Mites – These tiny insects love feasting on blood so much that they’ll bite anything moving fast enough! Whether this means bugs crawling around on top surfaces such as chairs or beds where pets sleep at night during summer months (when temperatures rise) or hiding underneath floors where warm air rises up into rooms near vents; fleas & mites often congregate together near sources where moisture increases humidity levels high enough so everyone feels comfortable there.”

Skin infections?

Here are some different types of skin infections that can cause itching in your pup:

• Fungal infections. Otherwise known as ringworm, these pesky organisms like to grow on the surface of the skin. They’re typically caused by a fungus called Microsporum canis, which is found on dogs and cats but not humans (and most other animals). If your dog has an infection with this fungus, they’ll likely start scratching at or biting their area of discomfort and may even develop hair loss or flaky patches in the affected area if left untreated.
• Bacterial infections. Bacteria that affect the skin fall into two main categories: those that cause pyoderma (pyoo-der-mah) and those that cause cellulitis (sel-li-lits). In both cases, redness and swelling occur due to irritation caused by bacteria entering through wounds or cuts on the body; however, pyoderma is more commonly seen in older dogs who have experienced inflammation from previous infections while cellulitis occurs more frequently in younger dogs due to their tendency toward chewing behavior and minor accidents during playtime activities

Dry skin?

Dry skin can be caused by a variety of things, including an allergy to something in your dog’s environment or diet. An allergy to fleas or other insects is also a common cause of itchy skin (and therefore scratching). Some dogs with sensitive skin may scratch due to an imbalance in their thyroid hormone levels, which can be treated with medication from your veterinarian.

Ticks?

How to check for ticks:

• Check your dog’s entire body, paying special attention to the ears, belly and armpits. Don’t forget to check between their legs! If you find one, it will be engorged with blood and easy to spot.

What to do if you find a tick:

• Use tweezers or a tick removal tool (which are available at most pet stores) to gently remove the tick from your dog’s skin. Be sure not to squeeze too tightly as this may cause its head and mouth parts to break off inside of your dog’s skin! After removing the head from your pup’s skin with tweezers, flush it down the toilet! This prevents other animals or people from getting sick by touching these infected pieces later on.

How can I prevent my dog from getting ticks?

It is important that dogs receive treatment regularly since they are more susceptible than humans when exposed during peak season times such as springtime when temperatures rise above 70 degrees Fahrenheit outside during daylight hours (in addition  to being outdoors).

Your dog could be scratching for a variety of reasons.

The first thing you should do when your dog is scratching is to figure out if it’s a flea problem. You can do this by checking for signs of an infestation, such as fleas on their skin or fur.

If you see no evidence of fleas, then it could be allergies—your dog’s immune system is responding (or overreacting) to something that he or she has been exposed to. If this seems likely, ask your veterinarian about allergy medications that may help with the symptoms—this is especially important if they start to scratch in places like their ears or face!

Another common cause of itching and scratching in dogs is insect bites and stings—if there were more than one ant crawling around nearby when you found him/her twitching on the floor then this could be an issue! Your vet might recommend an antihistamine medication too depending on how severe his reaction was; these are available over-the-counter at most pet stores so don’t worry if yours doesn’t seem too bad right now–just keep an eye out for any redness around where each sting occurred so it doesn’t get worse later…

Conclusion

If your dog is scratching, there are a variety of possible causes. The key is to get him to the vet so that he can receive the proper treatment. If you think your dog may have fleas or ticks, it’s important that they are removed as soon as possible in order for healing to begin.