Do you get annoyed by all the scratching and licking your dog is busy doing constantly? Now think of how your poor pup must be feeling, skin problems are common in dogs. Skin issues in dogs can be caused by a number of problems or even a combination of them
Here are some of the most common skin problems in dog:
- Fleas:
Fleas can be extremely unpleasant for both pets and their owners. Not only do they cause your pets some serious discomfort and irritation but they also carry some harmful diseases. They can also infest your carpet, bed and other areas of your home. The most common symptom of flea is constant scratching and irritation.
- Ticks:
Ticks are parasites that latch onto the skin of both animals and humans and feed off their blood. You’d often find your pet scratching and chewing their own fur to relieve the itching. If the fleas are extreme is can also cause their fur to fall out in patches.
- Yeast Infections:
Warm areas on a dog’s body attracts yeast infections & they grow in an area that are hard to reach like near the ear canal, in between your pup’s toe, groin & perineum. Yeast infection causes discoloured skin & an unpleasant smell.
- Mange:
Mange is a skin disease that is cause by mites, there are two types of mange.
- Sarcoptic mange (also known as canine scabies) which is the most common type.
- Demodectic mange which is passed on to puppies from their mother.
Mange makes dogs extremely uncomfortable & itchy which causes them to constantly scratch themselves that can lead to wounds, scabs & hair loss.
Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious to dogs as well as humans, but mites cannot survive on human skin for long.
- Environmental Allergies:
If your dog suddenly starts itching specially on their face, stomach, feet & chest, this indicates they might have an environmental allergy. This allergy is called atopy which is similar to how humans have hay fever, except the dogs have symptoms like itchy skin rather than watery eyes.
Some of the most common allergens that cause allergies in dogs are grass, dust mites & pollen.
- Ringworm:
Ringworm, unlike their name isn’t a worm but a fungus that is highly contagious to other animals & even humans. The fungal infection often appears as crusty, circular patches & is generally found on the dog’s head, paws, ears & front legs. Their skin will be inflamed & red due to them irritating the area by scratching it.
- Food Allergies:
Food allergies are one of the most common skin conditions in dogs. Dog generally develop allergies from the protein consumed as a part of their diet for example – beef, eggs, chicken & dairy. In some case dogs also develop an allergy through wheat & certain vegetables. Increased itching on their face, feet, ears & anus are the signs of a food allergy.
If your dog is showing any of the above symptoms it is important to take them to a veterinarian immediately as if ignored these allergies can turn into serious health conditions.