Licking paws, nonstop scratching, shaking their head. If you live with an itchy pet, you probably know the sound off by heart.
Itching, also known as pruritus, is one of the most common reasons pets find themselves at the vet.
But itchiness itself is not a diagnosis. It is a symptom, and where your pet is scratching, licking or biting often provides an important clue about what is causing the problem.
Here’s what to look out for.
Start with where your pet is itching
The location of the itch is one of the biggest clues.
Ears, paws, groin, armpits and face: These are classic allergy patterns. If your dog constantly licks their paws, rubs their face on the carpet and experiences recurrent ear infections, an allergy is a possible cause.
Rump, tail base and back of the thighs: These are common flea allergy hotspots. If your pet is allergic, even one flea bite can trigger a month of itching.
All over, including the belly and elbows: Intense itching that affects sparsely haired areas could point to mange. It is contagious to other pets and sometimes humans and requires veterinary attention as soon as possible.
Neck and head in cats: Scratching accompanied by tiny scabs is often associated with fleas or food allergies. Cats also get “miliary dermatitis”, which causes clusters of small, scabby, millet seed-sized bumps that feel like rough seeds when you stroke your cat.
Before heading to the vet, take a photo or short video of your pet scratching and make a note of when the problem started.
1. Parasites
Fleas, ticks, demodex and sarcoptes mites, as well as harvest mites, are among the parasites associated with itching.
If flea control is not being maintained for all the pets in your home and the environment is not being treated, this is a good place to start investigating.
Bathing alone does not eliminate fleas, so speak to your vet about effective flea control.
2. Allergies
Pets experience allergies too, and there are several possible triggers.
Environmental allergies, also known as atopic dermatitis, include pollens, grasses, dust mites and mould.
These allergies are often genetic, similar to hay fever in humans. In pets, however, they tend to appear as itching rather than sneezing.
The problem is often seasonal but can become year-round.
Food allergies are less common but do occur. They are usually linked to a protein such as chicken, beef, dairy or egg.
Food allergies tend to cause year-round symptoms, including itching around the ears and bum, and might not respond well to allergy medication.
There is no accurate blood or hair test for food allergies. The only reliable way to diagnose a food allergy in cats and dogs is through a strict elimination diet trial supervised by a veterinarian.
Flea allergy dermatitis is another possibility and occurs when a pet has an allergic reaction to flea saliva.
3. Bacterial and yeast infections
Damaged, itchy skin provides an opportunity for bacteria and yeast, which can make the skin even more red, smelly and itchy.
A musty, “Fritos” or “cheesy” smell, greasy skin and brownish discolouration, particularly around skin folds, underarms, paws and ears, are possible signs of yeast.
Possible signs of a bacterial infection include red bumps, pimples and pustules.
Pets might also develop hot spots, which are wet, painful red patches that can appear overnight.
The infection needs treatment, but it is also important to determine what caused the original itching. Treating only the infection without addressing the underlying cause means the problem is likely to return.
4. Dry skin, stress and over-bathing
Sometimes the explanation is more straightforward.
Over-bathing, using human shampoo, a diet low in essential fatty acids, stress and boredom can all affect your pet’s skin barrier.
But excessive scratching should not automatically be dismissed as dry skin.
If your pet is scratching until they bleed, losing fur or chewing their skin raw, there might be another problem that needs veterinary attention.
When should an itchy pet see the vet?
Pay attention to how long the itching lasts and whether other symptoms appear.
Take your pet to the vet if the itching continues for longer than two to three days or you notice bald patches, open sores, a bad smell or persistent ear shaking.
Scratching severe enough to keep you awake at night is another sign that it is time to seek veterinary advice.
Finding the underlying cause, rather than focusing only on stopping the scratching, is an important part of getting your pet comfortable again.
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