Dear Critter Corner: We have noticed that our pup has started to do a lot of scratching. He is on a flea preventative, so we are not sure what is causing the excessive scratching. Do you have any suggestions or ideas as to why he may be doing so much scratching?
Our dogs typically scratch for three different reasons. One of the most common reasons can be fleas. Since you have already covered this by having him on a flea preventative, I don’t think this would be the reason behind your pup’s scratching.
Another reason your pup may be scratching is allergies. There are several types of allergies that may be the culprit. The common ones are food and seasonal (environmental) allergies. If you think it may be a food allergy, you can try switching the current protein you are feeding your pup. Chicken and beef are in a lot of our dog food, so you can try switching to another protein to see if that helps. If you feel that it may be the environment, you can wipe your dog’s feet when coming in from outside to prevent them from bringing anything in that may cause them to itch.
The third reason that your pup may be scratching can be stress-related or a displacement behavior. If you feel this may be the cause of your dog’s scratching, try to pinpoint what is causing them distress. It can be certain environments or encounters with certain people or dogs. You can also enlist the help of your vet or a behaviorist to help teach your dog to better cope with what is triggering their stress.
If the behavior continues, you should consult with your vet to rule out any possible underlying medical issues that may be causing the scratching.
If you need additional help with training your pup, check out our website to schedule a consultation to address the specific behavior.