Why Is Your German Shepherd Scratching So Much
As this thread on a popular German Shepherd owner forum highlights, it can sometimes be hard to tell if your dog is just doing minor self-care or cleaning or if the scratching is caused by something else.
You will probably struggle most to figure out which it is if you are new to owning a German Shepherd.
The longer you and your dog spend together, the more you will get familiar with your dogs regular routines and begin to notice if something in those routines changes.
For example, maybe your dog suddenly starts scratching intensely at a certain area on one paw. This isnt something you normally see your dog do, so it captures your attention.
You examine the paw more closely and see a flea clinging to the skin. This alerts you to the need for flea treatment. Soon your dog stops scratching the paw as the flea treatment begins to work.
In most cases, the reason your dog is scratching more than usual wont resolve itself on its own.
In fact, the more likely outcome is that the issue will get worse and the affected area of skin will become infected, requiring more serious treatment.
Causes Of German Shepherd Skin Allergies
What can cause any allergy in a dog? The immune system is overreacting to an allergen it thinks is a threat, which may or may not realistically be harmful.
Dogs dont have drugs to deal with severe reactions, like epinephrine. Unlike respiratory reactions in humans, most allergic reactions will manifest on a dogs skin. Our dogs usually dont suffer airway complications like we might.
Some of the most common causes of allergic reactions in dogs are:
- Fleas/ other parasites
- Normal bacteria & yeast on the skin
Try Giving Apple Cider Vinegar To Your German Shepherd Topically Or As A Dietary Supplement
ACV provides digestive support and relief for allergic reactions. A small amount can be put into your dogs water bowl, or you can apply it topically. You can also apply a 50% mixture of ACV, and 50% water directly to your dogs skin in areas that are experience rash or itchiness. If given orally, you can also find apple cider vinegar soft chew supplements for dogs.
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Apply A Moisturizing Skin Spray Or Ointment
Moisturizing sprays keep your pets skin hydrated and bring more immediate relief to their irritation.
They are also convenient and easy to use throughout the day. Look for a spray that contains aloe vera and vitamin e, both of which moisturize the skin.
I use this spray for my itching German Shepherd and her skin felt moisturized and looked healthier after only a few applications. Spray on your dogs hot spots to reduce constant itchiness and provide soothing moisture. This spray was formulated for dogs with allergies by veterinarians, so its a clinical formula for home use.
For areas you think are infected or extremely irritated, try a thicker cream that also offers pain relief, like this Sulfodene ointment.
I wouldnt get caught without this spray and ointment, not only for itchiness and dry skin but for cuts and sores. My GSD immediately shows signs of relief upon application!
Give Your Dog A Special Bath
Oatmeal is an age-old remedy for dry and itchy skin for humans. And it happens to be safe for your dog as well. In fact, most doggy hypoallergenic shampoos include oatmeal as an active ingredient to soothe and fight irritation
Some owners use tea tree oil and put a few drops in their regular dog shampoo.
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What Allergies Are German Shepherds More Prone To
Many things may trigger an allergic reaction in German Shepherds, including food products, environmental pathogens and insect bites:
- Dietary allergies or intolerances: Dogs can develop allergies or intolerances to certain diets over time which will lead to symptoms of an allergic reaction. In German Shepherds, food allergies are most commonly triggered by sources of animal protein, such as beef or chicken. They may also develop an intolerance over time to other food sources such as wheat, eggs, soy or milk. Food allergies and intolerances may cause symptoms to develop in both the digestive system and on the skin.
- Environmental pathogens: German Shepherds may develop an allergic reaction to many things which are present in the environment. Some of these are in the air itself, such as pollen, dust, perfumes or molds. Others are things your German Shepherd may come into direct contact with, including fabric fibers, plants and grasses, or chemicals such as shampoo or cleaning products. Some environmental triggers may be seasonal, such as pollen others are present all year round. Environmental pathogens may trigger symptoms including wheezing, itching, sneezing and reduced energy levels.
- Insect bites: Some German Shepherds are allergic to flea saliva, leading to a condition known as flea allergic dermatitis. When this condition occurs the dog will develop irritated skin after just one flea bite, leading to incessant itching, red spots on the skin and inflammation.
Has Your German Shepherd Had The Same Food Throughout His Life
YES Most likely not a food allergy, as these will most often present only if there has been a significant change from your dogs regular diet.
NO If you have recently changed your dogs diet , then there is a good chance that your GSDs itching is due to a food-related allergy.
If this is the case, speak with your veterinarian. She will be able to help you identify what is in the food that is causing the allergic reaction in your dog, and will also provide suggested foods based on your dogs individual needs.
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When To Get Your Vets Help
If you have tried an elimination diet, have removed external parasites, and have removed as many allergens from the environment as possible, and your dog is still scratching all of the time, has swollen, irritated skin, and exhibits fur loss, you need to take your dog to the vet.
Your dog may need additional medication from the vet. This may include corticosteroids and antihistamines. These will help manage the symptoms. There are also some topical shampoos and ointments that a vet may prescribe to soothe the itching and reduce inflammation.
Could Vetericyn Help Resolve Your German Shepherds Common Skin Issues
German Shepherds are highly intelligent and remarkably loyal. Although most require only a quick brush and occasional bath, the breed is prone to developing uncomfortable itching, allergic skin reactions, hot spots, and other skin issues that could cause potentially serious infections.
If your canine companion needs fast, effective relief from the discomfort of breed-related skin issues, visit Vetericyn® to browse our selection of innovative products. Vetericyn® products are made without antibiotics or steroids, safe at every stage in life, and recommended by veterinarians worldwide.
Reviewed by Dan Richardson, Veterinarian
Dan Richardson has been a practicing veterinarian for over 10 years. He specializes in surgery and orthopedics. Dan is originally from rural western Nevada and attended the University of Idaho for undergraduate study and Oregon State University for Veterinary School. The Richardson Family enjoys camping and spending time on the water fishing, paddle boarding, or digging their feet in the sand somewhere warm.
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Avoid Giving Table Scraps
You should also avoid giving your shepherd table scraps because dogs cant process some substances in human food.
Allergy symptoms can be reduced by fatty acids if the allergen has nothing to do with food.
Steroids, antihistamines, and some other medications can also help.
They usually come with some side effects that can include drowsiness.
Itching From Improper Grooming
German Shepherds can get pretty itchy if they arent properly groomed. Proper grooming is regular brushing, bathing at the correct intervals of time, giving your German Shepherd any medicated treatments that it needs, and keeping the ears, face, and paws clean.
If you dont brush your German Shepherd regularly, dead hair, dirt, dust, and dander can build up in the coat and irritate the skin. This then causes a lot of itching and even more of their coat shedding around the house.
If you bathe your German Shepherd too frequently it can dry out your German Shepherds skin which can cause itching.
Likewise, if you dont your German Shepherd enough then dirt and anything from outside can build up in their coat and on their skin which leads to itching. You should bathe your German Shepherd around every 3 to 4 months.
German Shepherds, like many other dogs, are prone to ear infections if they arent properly cleaned. Make sure to give your German Shepherds ears a good wipe down to remove dust, bacteria, dirt, and even any pests that might have made their way on their ears.
Keeping the face, ears, and paws clean helps by removing any trapped dirt and grime that can irritate. Proper grooming makes sure that there is a good balance between removing the irritants from your German Shepherds skin while also not drying out their skin from too much cleaning.
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My Dog Keeps Biting Himself But No Fleas
Although scratching with their feet is the most common way a dog will address skin irritation, they may also choose to bite or lick themselves to try and soothe the irritation. This could be brought on by food allergies, bacterial infections, environmental allergies and plenty of other complications that arent fleas. To ensure you know what is bothering your pet, you can take them to your local Greencross Vets team who can diagnose what may be causing the irritation and help you treat it to keep your furry friend comfortable.
Do Not Use Fragrance Sprays
The respiratory and olfactory systems of dogs are far superior to that of humans.
Their sense of smell is more than 400 times stronger than a human, meaning that they are incredibly sensitive to odors.
There are many smells, such as ylang-ylang, which can actually irritate and cause harm to your dog.
If your German Shepherd is already itching, their symptoms may be worsened by the use of room fragrances or perfume sprays.
We do not recommend burning scented candles or incense in the vicinity of your dog. In extreme cases, you may wish to consider stopping using aerosol deodorant and perfume sprays.
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Whats The Best Way To Get Your Dog To Stop Jumping And Biting
If you havent trained your german shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether its jumping up and biting or anything else, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs, youll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog wont listen, youll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, thats given proven results. Not to mention the fact, youll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether theyre going to be well-behaved or not, youll only have to worry about how much fun youll have with them!
And in most cases its still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to introduce your pup to people without them jumping up and biting! Instead, youll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOURE NOT.
Medicated Shampoos And Topical Creams
If your German Shepherd has very dry itchy skin, you will need to shampoo their coat frequently until the symptoms subside. Afterward, apply topical remedies for them to heal quickly.
Looking for the correct German Shepherd itchy skin cure may look like finding a needle in a haystack. Youve got to identify your GSDs symptoms to match what they need.
You can purchase anti-flea shampoos formulated for GSDs sensitive skin to end flea infestation. Using topical antibiotics created for particular German Shepherd skin conditions is a must, especially for infected wounds.
Oral Prophylaxis
Some German Shepherd skin problems are caused by hormonal disorders and may require oral medicine for a longer period, if not for a lifetime. Your vet will give the proper dosage to your GSD and it needs to be followed religiously to prevent recurrence or worsening.
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Symptomatic Treatment Of Allergies:
Symptomatic treatment is necessary when we cannot identify or remove the cause of the allergic response. It may be that the dog is allergic to a type of foodstuff which is impossible to identify, or a type of pollen which we cannot stop the dog being exposed to.
In these situations, your veterinarian may prescribe medication such as corticosteroids or antihistamines to limit the bodys overall allergic response. As a German Shepherd owner, there are many other ways in which you can help your dog feel more comfortable by treating the symptoms they are suffering from.
Why Does My German Shepherd Itch So Much 5 Reasons
Every dog gets an itch from time to time, but it can start to be concerning when your dog itches constantly. An owner can start to wonder if their dog has fleas, ticks, or had gotten into some poison ivy. Even though the German Shepherd might scratch an itch a little more often than some other breeds, it is important to note if your German Shepherd is scratching more than usual.
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What To Do If Your Dog Is Jumping On Your Guests
As well as jumping on your the chances are your german shepherd is also going to jump and bite guests you invite to your house. Not only is this embarrassing, but if theyre scared of dogs it could frighten your guests.
If you have guests coming over then you should pre-warn them that youre trying to teach your dog to stop. And if they could, follow the training that youre doing, by offering your dog a treat when they sit patiently and wait.
Lastly, if your guests dont want to, when they enter, get your dogs attention with treats if he starts jumping up. Once youve got his attention follow the guidelines above. Once your dog sits down patiently you can then give them the treat and attention.
Invest In A Flirt Pole
A flirt pole has become a trusty friend in our home. And this handy tool has been a great help in raising my own pups into adults with excellent bite inhibition.
Here is an article all about flirt poles. And Ive also included a video of me playing with a flirt pole in a very small space.
Some advice recommends using a flirt pole to redirect nipping. Which can work at a moment you have the flirt pole handy.
But its kind of impractical to walk around with one all day!
I prefer my clients use a flirt pole to meet their puppys natural needs to stalk, chase, catch and bite.
And with some structure to playing with this type of tool, you can easily teach your puppy to control their impulse, only engage on cue, and how to let go on cue.
The flirt pole truly is a versatile tool not only for training but also for relationship building and meeting the natural needs of your puppy.
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Diagnosis Of Itching Scratching Chewing In Dogs
The first thing your vet will do is a physical examination of your dogs entire body. He will pay special attention to the areas of redness and inflammation where your dog has been itching. Provide your veterinarian with as much detailed information as you can about the itching, such as when it started, any changes in diet or shampoo, if the itchiness is getting worse, and what was going on at the time of the itching.
A skin swab may be taken to be tested for bacteria or yeast infection while a skin scraping may help to identify any deep mites. The veterinarian may also do a CBC, blood chemistry, and skin allergy test to check for signs of a hormonal condition,, immune disorder, allergy, or other problems.
Are German Shepherds Prone To Itchy Skin
German Shepherds are prone to skin allergies like canine atopic dermatitis which causes by mainly food and parasitic hypersensitivity.
Canine Atopic Dermatitis causes a dog to have an excessive reaction to particles like dust mites and pollens in their environment. Their skin will become red, swollen, and begin to itch uncontrollably in response to exposure to these particles.
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Possible Causes For Dogs Itchy Skin
So, whats behind your dogs itchy skin? It may be caused by a medical condition called allergic dermatitis . This means your dogs body overreacts to an allergen in the environment or food, which makes them feel itchy. There are a number of potential culprits:
- Fleas. Flea bites can create extremely itchy areas on your dog. They can be found anywhere on the body, but are most common at the hind legs, tail base, and rear end. Just because you dont see any fleas on your dog does not mean they arent there keep in mind that a bite from a single flea can cause an allergic itch in your dog.
- Environmental. Your dog may be allergic to environmental triggers, like pollen, mold spores, or dust mites. Environmental allergens can cause allergic itch during certain seasons, or even year-round. Dogs with environmental allergies will often show signs of allergic itch around their face, belly, and paws. If your dog gets itchy outdoors, invest in an outdoor dog bed to keep them off the ground.
- Food. Your dogs itching might be caused by a food allergy. Some dogs are allergic to common dog food ingredients such as beef, chicken, and dairy products. Food allergies in dogs can lead to signs of allergic itch around the paws, face, armpits, and belly.