What are some other causes of itchy skin in pets?
After flea allergies, most itchy skin disease is usually due to an underlying allergy of some sort, be it your pet’s food or something in their environment.
What is atopic dermatitis?
After ruling out a food allergy, if your pet is still itching, and it’s in the typical locations of the ears, between their toes and their belly, then a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis may be reached.
How Itch can help your pet
Fleas are a nuisance, and they do make our pets itchy. But in addition to this, the worst-case scenario is that your pet may be flea-allergic.
How to treat fleas on dogs?
How to treat the flea problem? I would recommend using a veterinary flea product either in the form of a spot on (applied to skin at the base of the neck), impregnated collar or a spray directly on your dog. It is however really important to treat any in-contact animals not just dogs but cats too.
What does flea dirt look like?
Flea dirt is the waste product produced by fleas and when dry it looks like little black specs; however if you wet it these black specs turn red as they contain digested blood. This brings us to the ‘wet paper test’, we comb through your pet’s coat and collect the debris onto a piece of wet white paper, if there is flea dirt present there will be small red dots visible where the flea dirt has dissolved in the water. The wet paper test helps to distinguish between flea dirt and just dried mud that may be on your pet’s coat.
Why does my dog's skin get itchy?
Dry flaky skin may well be as a result of scratching due to flea infestation , but can also be affected by allergies and medical conditions.
Can you find fleas on the underside of a dog?
It can be easier to find fleas on the underside of your pet as the coat is naturally thinner here. It is often easier to see the flea dirt in your pet’s coat than the actual fleas. Advertisement.
Can fleas jump?
Fleas can jump but they can’t fly , they need blood feeds to survive and a large proportion of the flea population are in the environment as oppose to on your pet.
Can cats carry fleas?
Cats can also carry the fleas and they do not even have to be your own cats, for example if a cat comes through your home or garden then the fleas can jump off or deposit eggs as they go. This is why we often advise treating the home environment and in-contact animals also.
Can fleas live on humans?
You will be relieved to hear that cat and dog fleas don’t tend to live on humans, fleas can however bite humans and cause an irritation at the site of such bites. Commonly humans find flea bites on their ankles, wrists or at their waist band as small itchy raised red areas on the skin.
Why does my dog itch after flea treatment?
Causes of itching after flea treatment: It is also possible that your dogs’ flea treatment is not working, and fleas are the cause of their itching . You can determine this by checking your dog carefully for fleas after administering the flea medication. Carefully part your dog’s hair, especially in flea prone areas like the base ...
What to do if your dog is scratching?
If your dog is scratching continuously and seems miserable, there are things you can do to bring relief. · Use an itch relief shampoo. Pet stores sell a variety of anti-itch shampoos. Those with all-natural ingredients are the safest option for your pet.
Why does my dog itch after fleas?
Your dog may have a flea allergy. If your dog is allergic to fleas, the itching will continue for some time after eliminating fleas. If the allergy is severe, the dog may continue to itch if even one or two fleas can bite. You may have to take extra preventative measures like treating your home and yard for fleas.
How to stop my dog from licking my shoes?
Look for shampoos that contain moisturizing and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as oatmeal and argon oil. · Use a mixture of half apple cider vinegar and half water in a spray bottle. Spray the itchy places on your dog and prevent licking until dry. Do not use apple cider vinegar on open wounds or raw skin.
What is mange in dogs?
Mange is an infestation with microscopic insects that burrow into the skin to feed and live. Constant itching and loss of hair, especially in areas such as the elbows, groin, and armpits are symptoms of mange. Seasonal allergies can also cause constant itching in dogs.
How to help dogs with seasonal allergies?
Regular grooming, an air filtration system, and limiting the time spent outdoors can all help manage the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Food allergies are also common in dogs. Food allergies are notoriously difficult to diagnose. Your vet will probably suggest an elimination diet, which requires strict adherence.
Can flea medication be effective?
If you continue to see active fleas after the medication should have taken effect, the medication you are using may not be effective. There are numerous types of flea treatment, so talk to your vet about trying a different kind of treatment. Your dog may have a flea allergy. If your dog is allergic to fleas, the itching will continue ...
How long does it take for flea treatment to work on dogs?
As mentioned, the majority of flea treatment products possess waterproof qualities, so after 48 hours your dog can be exposed to rain or bathe water and this won’t affect how well it works. If you bathe them too soon, it is likely that the water will wash the treatment off before it has had a chance to work.
How long after flea treatment can dogs be exposed to rain?
If you have taken your dog on a walk where they ended up getting themselves covered in mud, you may be wondering whether giving them a bath before the 48 hours has passed will impact the treatment’s effectiveness. As mentioned, the majority of flea treatment products possess waterproof qualities, so after 48 hours your dog can be exposed to rain ...
How long after a dog is bathed can you swim?
Again, the manufacturers behind Advocate advise that you do not bathe your dog or allow them to swim in water within the first 48 hours after applying the treatment.
Why do dogs scratch their coats?
Fleas are a common and unwelcome parasite that affects the majority of dogs. It is likely that they will make your dog irritable as they crawl through their coat causing them to scratch excessively and continuously throughout the day. As a result, you are likely to notice inflamed patches of hair loss and scarring.
Can you bathe a dog with fleas?
Although most flea treatments are waterproof, you must allow sufficient time for the treatment to work its way into your dog’s body. Bathing them too soon enhances the risk of washing the treatment off and as a result, it will be ineffective. If you treat your dog using an oral medication, it is likely that you will be able to bathe them ...
Can you use flea collar on dog?
If you have used a spot on treatment or a flea collar, you need to allow the oils time to distribute over your dog’s body. Not only is there a risk of the water washing off the product, but using a dog shampoo can also reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. This is because the shampoo is designed to clean the fur and when doing so it will also ...
Can you give flea pills to dogs?
Although oral flea treatment is considered to be more effective than most other types of treatment available, you may encounter a challenge when trying to give it to a dog that doesn’t like taking tablets . Another option is a flea collar.
