Dog itching no fleas, why is my dog itching without fleas?

Is your dog itching without fleas? Itchy skin is a very common problem among pets and it is one of the reasons why they should be well taken care of. If your dog is constantly scratching, biting or licking on its skin, it is normal for you to suspect fleas. However, fleas are not the only cause of skin irritation and itching. Below is a better understanding on why dogs itch without fleas and what you can do to relieve your dog of constant itching at home naturally.

Dog Itching No Fleas





Video: How To Stop The Flea Cycle Naturally For Cats and Dogs

Why is my dog itching but no fleas? Dog itching to some level is very normal, it is a way of ridding themselves of things caught up in their coat, insects or just like us enjoying a good scratch with no reason at all. However, constant itching should be a point of concern as it could be painful and injuring to the dog’s skin. It could result in red skin and rash which is equally upsetting for their handlers. Excessive itching is referred to as pruritus.

Dog itching without fleas
Dog itching without fleas

While this may be normal, excessive scratching, biting and licking to the point of hair loss and skin damage could tell of an underlying problem. According to thebark.com, dog itching is the second most common reason why people take their dogs to the vet after diarrhea.

Dog itching is one of the reasons why handlers take their pets to the vet. There are a number of reasons why dogs itch and sometimes there may be none.

Why Dogs Itch Without Fleas

Why do dogs itch without fleas? It is normal for people to always assume that fleas are the reason why dogs itch. However, while your dog may be itching and scratching their skin because of fleas, he could also be having a dry of irritated skin. Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs itch without fleas:

Dry skin is one of the most common cause of dog itching for those living in low humid areas. Dog itching is worrisome for the owner. Dry skin could lead to itching and vice versa. A dog with dry skin may lick, bite and scratch to the point of causing injury. Sometimes, they will even run on things such as furniture to relieve itchy skin. This may come with hair loss, dull coat or dry and flaky skin. Dry skin could also be due to poor nutrition. Some commercial foods especially those that are dry could have a dehydrating effect on skin and coat of your dog. Talk to your vet about optimal food formulas with supplements such as omega 3 and vitamins.

Your vet will also check for the possibility of food allergies and recommend a hypoallergenic diet that could help solve your dog’s dry skin and itching without fleas’ problem.

Poor Grooming is a common cause of itching with rash

Puppy Itching No Fleas

Puppies itch all the time and while sometimes it’s actually significant other times it’s just an allergy to new food or collars. Itchy skin can also be diet related. You should check your puppy’s current food for ingredients like chicken by-products, wheat and corn. Any of these ingredients can contribute to puppy itching without fleas. Talk to your vet about specialized foods rich in nutrients such as omega 3 which are very good for skin problems such as itching. Foods rich in omega 3 maintain healthy skin and beautiful coats by creating a moisture barrier to keep the skin moisturized.

Puppy Pyoderma is a bacterial skin infections that is common is puppies and young dogs/. Also known as impetigo, puppies develop skin pustules that look like pimples. They are usually red, raised and filled with pus at the center. The puppy also shows signs such as dry flaky patches of the skin, hair loss and itching. This problem will be diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs and medical history. Treatment based on this diagnosis is often antibiotic therapy for two to six weeks.

Regular shampooing strips oils out of your puppy’s coat and can lead to dry skin which is a common cause of itching in puppies. Be sure to bathe your dog with enriched dog shampoo and rinse him well. Leaving shampoo on the puppy will dry his skin out. Add conditioner and oils too to relieve symptoms.

While using flea prevention may be a good idea, the problem may not always be fleas. Try changing the diet. Shampoo and rinse well and treat allergies promptly.

Dog Constantly Itching No Fleas

Dog constantly itching but no fleas
Dog constantly itching but no fleas

While it is very common, listening to your dog constantly itching and biting on its skin all the time is a big concern. Excessive itching and scratching has a number of causes. While some are harmless others can be problematic. One of the first signs of excessive itching in dogs is having irritated skin with red, wet and raised areas of skin. This can occur anywhere in the dog’s body but are most common in the chest, head and the hip area. Once a dog’s skin becomes irritated, the dog will often scratch on it all the time. Such areas quickly become sore and can be sources of infection.

Video: Dog Itching But No Fleas

Here are some of the reasons why your dog keeps itching:

  • Boredom
  • Allergies
  • Dry skin
  • Pain
  • Hormonal imbalances

When scratching becomes too much and beyond what you’d consider normal, consult a vet to help identify a diagnosis and a treatment plan. In the meantime try the home remedies below to provide some relief.

Dog Itching No Fleas Home Remedy

Is there any home treatment for dogs that itch without fleas? People always assume that a dog will itch because of it has fleas. Usually there are a number of things that will cause a dog to scratch and bite uncontrollably on their skin. Fortunately, there are things you can do at home to offer itch relief for dogs. Here’s what to do for itchy dog:

Vitamin E Treatment for Dog Itching

Vitamin E works on dog’s skin just like it works on your skin to clear out wrinkles. Break a capsule and rub it onto dry areas of the skin. Massage him gently to help the vitamin E penetrate into the skin. Vitamin E has strong moisturizing properties that help nourish the dog’s skin.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has natural and curative skin properties that soothe and protect dog’s skin. It is also a very effective anti-inflammatory that relieves itching and irritation. Due to the effective anti-itch properties for dog skin, TTO is found in many dog grooming products. Note that this oil must only be used externally in diluted form.

Note that tea tree oil should be used with caution especially in young dogs and puppies below the age of 8 weeks. Seek further pet advice if you have any concerns about using TTO on your dog for skin problems.

How to Relieve Dog Itchy Skin with Epsom Salt

Bath your dog in a warm bath with Epsom salts to relieve dry itchy skin. Try to let your dog soak in the bathtub for at least 15 minutes and closely watching him not to drink the water. This can also help reduce pain and swelling on inflamed sore skin.

If you do not have Epsom salt. You can use plain oatmeal instead. Add oatmeal into cool bath water or apply it directly to the skin to relieve dry skin and soothe itchiness. Allow the oatmeal to stay on the skin for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with clean water.

Apple Cider Vinegar Dog Itch Relief

Apple Cider Vinegar to Relieve Dog Itching
Apple Cider Vinegar to Relieve Dog Itching

Apple cider vinegar has very strong antibacterial properties that help cure itchy skin and rash. It is especially good for itching due to allergies. Dilute ACV with water before using it on dog’s skin. Apply it directly onto his coat or use a sprayer to spray affected areas being careful not spray it into his eyes. The amount of vinegar to use depends on the size of your dog. You should be very careful not to use ACV on raw sore and inflamed skin.

Treat Dog Allergies with Benadryl

Allergies are one of the common causes for dry itchy dog skin. Most of the time over the counter medications such as Benadryl are used to allergy related problems. It is recommended that you use 100% pure formulations of Benadryl that are designed to be safe for pets. Other brands may contain medications like acetaminophen which is toxic for dogs.

Benadryl is good for allergy related problems such as itching
Benadryl is good for allergy related problems such as itching

It is advisable to consult your veterinarian before administering any medication to dogs and learn further on proper use of the drug including dosing and side effects.

Many dogs will have some have some degree of itching at some point in their lives. For anyone who has a pet, skin irritations are unpleasant and having an idea of how to relieve itching in dogs may come in handy in relatively minor cases. However, have in mind that you can always contact or consult your vet for any problems however minor you think they are.

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