“Why is my pet scratching?” is a very common question I get asked. Without understanding why your pet is scratching, you may struggle to provide effective relief, potentially worsening underlying health issues, and impacting the quality of life of cats and dogs. I’m going to explain the common causes of scratching in pets to help you identify the appropriate treatment plan.
Why Is My Pet Scratching?
Pet scratching can stem from a wide range of causes, including environmental and food allergies, contact and drug reactions, flea and insect bites, as well as various infections caused by parasites, yeast, or bacteria. Additionally, ear infections, masses, tumors, skin and hair diseases, autoimmune conditions, psychogenic issues, and neurological disorders contribute to your pet’s itching.
Understanding why pets scratch themselves can help provide targeted relief and improve their health and happiness. As my veterinary clinic pinpoints the causes, I can develop the appropriate treatment strategy for your pet.
| Reasons for Scratching | Effects | Treatment |
| Food and environmental allergies | Itching, redness, skin inflammation | Antihistamines, special diets, immunotherapy |
| Contact and drug reactions | Localized irritation, rash, hives | Remove irritants, topical treatments, and change medication if needed |
| Flea and insect bites | Intense itching, skin irritation, potential infections | Flea/tick prevention, antiparasitic medications |
| Parasite, yeast, and bacterial infection | Itching, skin lesions, odor, hair loss | Antiparasitic drugs, antibiotics |
| Ear infection, mass, or tumor | Head shaking, ear scratching, discharge | Ear cleaning, possible surgery for masses |
| Skin and hair diseases | Dry/oily skin, dandruff, hair loss | Medicated shampoos, dietary supplements |
| Autoimmune conditions | Skin lesions, ulcers, hair loss | Immunosuppressive drugs, corticosteroids |
| Psychogenic illnesses | Excessive licking, chewing, scratching | Behavior modification, anti-anxiety medications |
| Neurological issues | Compulsive scratching, self-mutilation | Neurological medications, physical therapy |
Causes of Itch in Pets
From environmental allergies, parasites, and autoimmune diseases, there are many causes for excessive itching. Identifying these causes can help you address this discomfort and provide relief to your pet.
1. Environmental and Food Allergies
The most common cause of itching and scratching in pets is allergies. Pet allergies can be food-related or environment-related.
Food allergies in pets include allergies to gluten, wheat, corn, and other grains. This can be related to some meat protein sources as well. Environmental allergies include grasses, trees, shrubs, molds, and house dust mites.
2. Contact and Drug Reactions
Contact and drug reactions can trigger an allergic reaction in pets, leading to itching. Chemicals found in household products, plants, and even medications can cause skin irritation in sensitive animals.
Most dogs are susceptible to these reactions, which can manifest as persistent scratching and discomfort.
3. Flea and Insect Bites
Some pets might be scratching because of parasites such as fleas or ticks. Flea bites often affect areas like the dog’s ear canal.
Flea bites, as well as those from ticks, mites, and mosquitoes, can cause intense irritation and lead to excessive scratching. This itching problem can be particularly problematic for pets with flea allergies, exacerbating the itching sensation.
4. Parasite, Yeast, and Bacterial Infection
Some pets are also allergic to their own skin bacteria and yeast. An overgrowth of yeast or bacteria on the skin can result in persistent itching and biting behaviors in affected animals.
Various parasites, including mange, can trigger severe itching and skin irritation in pets. Meanwhile, ringworm is a dermatophyte infection that causes pet itching and hair loss.
5. Ear Infection, Mass, or Tumor
Ear infections can lead to intense itching and discomfort in pets. Foreign objects lodged in the ear canal can also trigger irritation and scratching.
In some cases, growths such as masses or tumors in the ear can cause itching and other symptoms, necessitating prompt veterinary attention.
6. Skin and Hair Diseases
Skin lymphoma and mast cell tumors can disrupt the normal structure and function of the skin, leading to inflammation and irritation that triggers a pet’s itching. Hair follicle disorders, including follicular dysplasia or color dilution alopecia, can cause abnormal hair growth and shedding.
These skin issues expose sensitive skin, compromising a pet’s skin barrier. This makes pets more prone to infections and skin allergies that exacerbate itching.
7. Autoimmune Illnesses
Autoimmune diseases in pets occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, including the skin, resulting in itching and skin inflammation. Conditions like the pemphigus complex and discoid lupus erythematosus can cause skin lesions and intense itching.
Hormonal imbalance is the root cause of these autoimmune reactions. A secondary infection caused by hypothyroidism or zinc deficiency can further complicate the pet’s skin health and contribute to constant itching.
8. Psychogenic Conditions
Often stemming from stress, anxiety, or boredom, self-inflicted behaviors can create open wounds or abrasions. Psychogenic diseases in pets can manifest as excessive grooming or scratching behaviors that lead to skin irritation and itching.
Psychogenic alopecia is a stress-related disorder characterized by obsessive-compulsive behavior. Pets may over-groom or develop a scratch reflex on certain areas, resulting in hair loss and skin damage.
9. Neurological Diseases
Neurological diseases can cause itching in pets due to a disrupted normal nerve function. For instance, Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS) can cause cats to experience heightened sensitivity to touch, resulting in excessive grooming, scratching, or biting of the skin.
Nerve damage can lead to phantom itching sensations or obsessive cat scratching behaviors, even in the absence of actual skin irritation.
Symptoms and Effects of Itching in Pets
The skin is a sensory organ that uses itching to prompt scratching. Itch-sensing nerves are present throughout your pet’s skin and mucous membranes.
Scratching evolved as a defense against parasites. However, prolonged itching can lead to various harmful effects in animals:
- Self-injury
- Skin damage and infections
- Sleep disturbances
- Stress for both the animals and their owners
Signs of itching in animals include:
- Scratching, licking, rubbing, and scooting
- Hair pulling and body part shaking
- Self-inflicted wounds
- Excessive head shaking
Diagnosis of Itching in Pets
Diagnosing pet itching requires a detailed patient history and comprehensive skin examination. As a veterinarian, I can recognize various skin conditions in pets. This enables me to select the appropriate diagnostic tests and tailor a treatment plan for your pet.
Common diagnostic methods include:
- Cytology for examining skin cells and potential infectious agents
- Skin scraping for identifying parasites
- Allergy testing for determining specific allergens
- Guided diet trials for identifying food-related itching causes
Pet Itch Medications
As part of symptom management, these medications alleviate itching yet don’t treat the underlying disease.
- Cytopoint: Mainly for dogs, Cytopoint blocks itch signals to provide a month of relief.
- Apoquel: It reduces immune messengers involved in itching caused by airborne allergens. This quick-acting medication lasts for 18 to 24 hours.
- Cyclosporine (Atopica): This medication targets inflammation and itching. It affects white blood cells to reduce food or environmental allergy symptoms.
- Glucocorticoids: This medication broadly affects the immune system, controlling itching, inflammation, and allergic reactions.
- Antihistamines: They block histamine receptors to treat pet itching associated with atopic dermatitis, hives, and insect bite reactions in cats and dogs.
- Antibiotics: These oral or topical antibiotics are commonly used for itching caused by bacterial or fungal infections.
Topical Products and Home Remedies for Pet Itching
Aside from giving the appropriate medications, there are other things you can do as a pet owner to control and avoid itching on your cat or dog.
- Bathe pets frequently, clean their paws after walks, and avoid known triggers, especially for food or environmental allergies.
- Clean ears weekly, wash pet bedding often, and vacuum or dust the house regularly.
- Use air purifiers and keep windows closed during allergy season.
- Provide fish oil supplements, high-quality balanced diets, and address potential yeast infections.
- Use medicated shampoos, lotions, conditioners, and specialized solutions for itchy ears and eyes.
Related Questions
Why Does My Pet Keep Scratching Yet Have No Fleas?
Your pet may keep scratching without fleas due to food allergies, dry skin, or other skin irritations. Consult a vet to identify the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.
When Should I Worry About My Pet Scratching?
Worry about your pet scratching if it becomes excessive, persistent, or leads to visible skin damage or hair loss. Observe other symptoms like changes in behavior, appetite, or energy levels accompanying the scratching.
Why Are Pets Scratching Themselves So Much?
Pets may be scratching excessively due to allergies, parasites, skin infections, or underlying health conditions. A thorough examination by a veterinarian can help determine the root cause and provide appropriate treatment options.
Conclusion
By identifying the cause of your pet dog or cat’s scratching behavior, you can work with your veterinarian to implement effective solutions. This can keep your pet comfortable, content, and free from the discomfort of persistent itching. If your pet has scratching issues, my veterinary services can identify the root cause and put together an appropriate, customized treatment plan for your pet.