Itchy dog? It's probably not what you think...

Sheba battles the itchies

Licking, chewing, scratching, shedding.  It's a vicious cycle for our pooch. Sheba (the foxy mutt) has suffered from seasonal allergies, food allergies, and also suffers from flea allergies, so she gets 'the itchies' quite a bit.  Her current bout of itchies is off-season, and more persistent than usual so decided to brush up my research on dogs and itchy skin.  I learned a few things that surprised me, and might help you gain insight into your dog's itchies.

1. When we humans have allergic reactions, our histamines are usually released in our nasal passages, so our primary symptoms are stuffy or runny noses and the results of the excess mucus (coughing, sneezing, etc.).  However when our pups have allergic reactions, their histamines are released in their skin!  So your dog's itchy skin is her version of a runny nose.
2. The most common cause of itchy skin in dogs other than fleas is...not food allergies, not mange, not staph...but INHALANT allergies!  It's hard as a human to make the connection between inhaling an allergen and itchy skin.  I had always assumed it was food allergies or contact allergies of the skin.  Not so!
3. According to one of the most respected veterinary schools in that nation, UCDavis, dogs whose allergies require antihistamines can now count once daily Zyrtec (Cetirizine) among their options!  This is a huge breakthrough for those of us who have been using Benedryl- Benedryl requires dosing 3 times per day, and Zyrtec takes only one dose, making compliance much easier and more likely.  If your dog suffers from allergies, consult with your vet about Cetirizine and bring along this statement from UCDavis (just in case your vet is not up to date).

I hope this has helped give you a lead on possible causes of the itchies in your pooch, and some new options for treatment.

Does your pet suffer from 'the itchies'?  Have you identified the cause?  How do you help ease their suffering?