If you go to the vet saying your dog is scratching a lot, there are many things that could be making your dog itchy. There are also many things you can try to stop the scratching.
The most common answer your vet will likely give is “try Atopica”, but that is not a good drug to take long term. Why? As stated on Novartis’ Atopica website, it “can be used for long-term control of the allergic response in a dog’s skin.” But also know that “In a field study, the most common side effects were gastrointestinal signs. Gingival hyperplasia and papillomas may also occur during the initial dosing phase. ATOPICA is a systemic immunosuppressant that may increase the susceptibility to infection.”
If you can find something else that works, get your dog off of a “systemic immunosuppressant” as soon as possible. What do you think could go wrong with suppressing the immune system?
My dad’s dog had persistent red belly and groin, frequently licking. When I gradually spaced the doses and then stopped giving her Atopica, the color of her belly returned to normal.
Instead I was giving her simple antihistamine, the generic form of loratadine (same as in Claritin, but make sure it does not also have other ingredients. http://www.veterinaryplace.com/dog-medicine/claritin-for-dogs/ says “Avoid using… the additional ingredient pseudoephedrine as just 240 mg of pseudoephedrine could be lethal to small dogs and cause unwanted stimulant-like effects in larger dogs.”
Loratadine works well for her itching, but she does need a pill every few hours. It takes about a half hour for itching to really stop, and lasts 3 to 5 hours. She’s about 20lbs, and I give half a 10mg pill (gently slap the pill cutter, don’t press the cutter which crushes the pill).
What are the main reasons a dog scratches
Food sensitivity is a major one. Stop feeding your dog the most common allergens. These include grain (not just wheat), which dogs do not need to eat, and neither do humans (see Wheat Belly Total Health: The Ultimate Grain-Free Health and Weight-Loss Life Plan
Don’t feed dogs onion, garlic, and similar foods. They are listed in veterinary sites as toxic to dogs. I don’t know how much they can eat safely. Since I don’t know, I’ll just guess that onions makes many people’s eyes burn, and maybe that same amount (the little released into the air by cutting onions) could make dogs stomach or skin irritated and all they can come up with to do about it is scratch, so don’t give food with onion or garlic seasoning, to your itching dog. See People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets | ASPCA and What Foods are Toxic for Dogs | CanineJournal.com and Toxic and Dangerous Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat also includes slides about medications, saying “never give your dog any over-the-counter medicine unless your vet tells you to. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are often in pain relievers and cold medicine. And they can be deadly for your dog.”
See several of the sites on what human foods to not give your dog or cat (and while you’re at it, look at the medications that you can’t give your pet, including pain killers like acetaminophen).
One thing you can give yourself and your dog that has big health benefits, if you use very high quality and high potency, is fish oil, or more specifically the omega-3 acids BHA and BPA. Omega 3 Fish Oil Pills (180 Counts) – Triple Strength Fish Oil Supplement (1,400mg Omega 3 Fatty Acids: 600mg DHA + 800 mg EPA per Serving) Molecularly Distilled
Another common cause of dog itching, that is very easy to take care of, is dust and dry skin. Bathing your dog frequently, but without shampoo or soap (yes, just water is recommended), removes dust and could make your dog much happier.
I live in AZ, and especially during winter when we have the heat on, there is low humidity. Our skin gets dry, so do dogs skin.
I’ve tried rubbing simple olive oil or coconut oil onto my dog, and oh they make her coat so soft. She likes licking coconut oil, in her food bowl, off my hands, off her coat. Coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils to take (a fat that reduces cholesterol and belly fat). But rubbing it into her coat may not reach the skin much, so it doesn’t seem to help her itching.
So I suggest trying the skin “hot spot” products. My dog scratches, and though I can’t tell if they are hot because she scratches there or she scratches there because they’re irritated and hot, these sprays seem likely to make a big difference, if your dog is scratching because of dry skin. (Won’t help for food allergies or infection or parasites, but also wouldn’t hurt.)
One that looks well liked by many people, and has ingredients that are healthy, is the Miracle Coat Miracle Mist Skin Treatment Spray 12-Ounce