Where Do My Dog's Skin Problems Come From?
Do you notice that your dog has been scratching more than usual lately or is suffering from hair loss and their coat doesn't shine as beautifully as it used to? Then there might be skin problems behind it. These can have various causes. Our Pets Deli veterinarian discusses in this article the common symptoms and causes of skin problems in dogs and explains when you should visit your veterinarian.
Skin Problems with Hair Loss and Itching in Dogs
Is your furry friend scratching a lot and also suffering from hair loss? The reasons for this can vary and are divided into infectious and immune-reactive causes:
Infectious Causes
Infectious causes include parasites, bacteria, and fungal infections:
- Parasites
Parasites are the most common cause of hair loss with itching. →Ticks, →Fleas, and →Mites are among the most well-known ectoparasites. But lice and fur mites can also play a role in our four-legged friends. They partially feed on blood and cause itching through bites and crawling on the body. Some dogs also have an allergy to flea saliva, which can lead to serious symptoms even with a very low flea infestation. For these dogs, an adequate →flea prophylaxis is essential.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Manche Öle sollen auf natürliche Weise gegen Zecken schützen. Ob das wirklich stimmt, bleibt oftmals nur selbst herauszufinden.
- Bacteria
Another infectious cause of itching in dogs is bacteria. Often, an allergy is the underlying issue, leading to a vicious cycle. The allergy causes itching. Due to the itching, the dog scratches, causing the skin to react with inflammation and bacteria to settle, which in turn leads to more itching.
Additionally, skin folds are often affected by bacterial skin infections (dermatitis). This occurs whenever there is "excess" skin and skin folds lie on top of each other, for example, around the lips, around the eyes, or in the vulva area. The skin rubs against itself, becoming moist and warm, creating an ideal habitat for bacteria. Irritation and bacteria then lead to itching.
Particularly dogs with a lot of skin, such as Shar-Peis or brachycephalic breeds like pugs or French bulldogs, are affected here.
- Fungal Infections
Another infectious cause of hair loss with itching is fungal infections. These changes can be treated with antifungal medications, which are specifically designed for fungal infections.
Immune-Reactive Causes
In addition to parasites, →allergies are one of the most common causes of hair loss and excessive scratching, licking, and chewing on the paws. Our dogs can be allergic to a variety of things, such as house dust mites, mold, flea saliva, or grasses.
→Food allergies can also occur. According to a German study, the most common food allergies are attributed to the following allergens: beef, grains, rice, chicken, dairy products, lamb, pork, fish, turkey. The diagnosis of a food allergy can only be proven through a multi-week elimination diet. For this, a protein source that your four-legged friend has never eaten before and a hypoallergenic carbohydrate source, such as our →hypoallergenic food, is suitable.
Ideal for Allergies and Intolerances - Hypoallergenic Food
Additionally, there are some autoimmune diseases that can lead to itching and hair loss. These include lupus erythematosus or pemphigus foliaceus. Other possible causes of itching can be disorders of skin formation (keratinization disorder) or certain types of tumors.
As you can see, there are numerous causes for hair loss with itching. If you notice that your dog is constantly scratching and licking, you should definitely make an appointment with your veterinarian so that you can find out the cause together and choose an appropriate therapy.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Häufiges Kratzen, Haarausfall und andere Hautprobleme sollten von Tierärzt*innen einmal untersucht werden. Die Ursachen können zwar harmlos, aber auch ernstzunehmender sein.
Skin Problems with Hair Loss Without Itching in Dogs
If your dog shows hair loss without any itching, it usually has different causes:
Endocrine Causes
Endocrinological diseases affect the hormone-producing organs of the body. If these organs are affected, hair loss can be one of the symptoms. For example, in the case of →Cushing's syndrome, hair loss on the belly is typical.
Nutritional Causes
Hair loss without itching can also be caused by nutritional deficiencies. Vitamin A or E deficiency, insufficient essential fatty acids, or biotin and zinc deficiency can lead to hair loss. Therefore, pay attention to a →healthy and balanced diet for your dog.
A look at the labels of conventional dog food shows that different standards apply to the nutrition of four-legged friends than to us. It is not uncommon to find animal by-products, sugar, grains, and other questionable additives. The right →composition of the food consists of meat (or also →vegan or vegetarian protein sources like millet or amaranth), →vegetables, fruits, →oils, and →herbs and significantly influences your dog's health.
Unser Futter für Hunde: gesund, ehrlich, lecker.
Other Causes
Psychogenic, toxic, or traumatic causes can also lead to hair loss. →Stress or →anxiety disorders can trigger skin problems such as →dandruff or acute hair loss. Perhaps your beloved's collar or harness is also rubbing, causing hair loss in certain areas.
Causes of Dull Coat in Dogs
Does your beloved suffer from neither itching nor hair loss, but their coat no longer shines and looks dull? This is often due to nutritional causes. Not all available pet foods are ideal in composition, and there can be a deficiency of certain nutrients and vitamins. Especially during the →shedding season, the need for certain nutrients can increase. A too high grain content or sugar addition can promote the growth of "bad" bacteria in the gut, leading to dull and lifeless fur. Therefore, healthy food is very important. Additionally, you can support your dog's skin and coat health with our →Skin & Coat Tabs.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Randvoll mit guten Zutaten für eine gesunde Fellgesundheit und ein schmackhaftes Menü im Napf.
How Can I Help My Dog with Skin Problems?
Skin problems in dogs can manifest with various symptoms, and the causes are diverse. Since serious illnesses can also be behind itching and hair loss, you should definitely seek veterinary advice with your furry friend. Only through a thorough examination and possibly further diagnostics can it be determined where the problems of your furry friend come from.
If your beloved has dull fur and everything was fine during the examination by your veterinarian, there are a few things you can do.
High-Quality Food
As mentioned above, not every available food is ideal in terms of nutrient and vitamin composition. Make sure to buy high-quality food without added sugar.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Wenn das Fell juckt: Viele Vierbeiner reagieren auf ein Futter, indem sie unerträglichen Juckreiz haben und sich ständig kratzen müssen. Die Folge sind offene, entzündliche Stellen auf der Haut.
Avoid Excessive Washing
Too frequent bathing of your beloved can destroy the natural protective layer of the skin, causing the skin to become flaky and dry.
Regular Brushing
If you →brush your furry friend's coat regularly, it removes skin flakes and loose hairs. It can also stimulate blood circulation in the skin, resulting in a shiny coat.
Oils and Other Additives
Omega-6-rich oils, brewer's yeast, and biotin can help restore your beloved's coat to its former glory. Particularly suitable →oils include safflower oil, evening primrose oil, grape seed oil, hemp oil, black cumin oil, or →our skin and coat oil. You can simply mix a little bit (the amount varies depending on the oil) into their food every day. There are also →supplements that provide your beloved with an extra portion of vitamins and nutrients for skin and coat health.
As diverse as the causes are, so are the treatments for skin problems. Parasites can be treated with medications, while nutritional deficiencies can be detected in blood tests. Autoimmune diseases and allergies are significantly more complex in diagnostics and therapy.
We wish you and your furry friend all the best and hope you find out where your beloved's skin problems come from and quickly find a suitable solution.
