Itchiness (Pruritus) in Dogs

Did you know that canine pruritus (or itchiness) is one of the top three reasons the owners will take their dog to the vet for a non-wellness visit? When your dog is scratching all over their body it is an obvious sign of itchiness and discomfort. But, did you know that licking is often a display of itchiness in dogs too?

Think about it this way: how else are they going to satisfy an itch on their paws? Often this behavior is misconstrued as ‘cleaning’ their paws. Unfortunately, the reality is that licking the paws (or elsewhere) introduces saliva and bacteria, from the non-sterile environment of the mouth, to the skin. This can lead to the formation of ‘hot-spots’ (or inflamed, sometimes infectious lesions on the skin), and may result in the need for a dog to don the dreaded ‘cone-of-shame.’

Beat the ‘cone-of-shame’ and be in-tune to your dog’s body language.

If you catch your dog licking and biting his skin/paws, scratching his skin, shaking his head, or scooting his bum then your dog almost certainly is itchy. The first step is calling your vet to book an appointment! Itchiness can be caused by a variety of causes in dogs; so you need to seek veterinary help to diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

Some of the most common causes of canine pruritus are outlined in this chart.

By Dr. Jacob Held

Dr. Held has also authored a wonderful book titled “The Itchiest Dog”—perfect for young children, learning about their pets and intrigued by veterinary medicine. Check it out!