Do You Have an Itchy Dog?

Understanding Canine Itchiness: Causes, Concerns, and How to Help Your Aussie Pup

Imagine feeling itchy—every single day. Not just an occasional scratch, but a relentless, skin-crawling urge that disrupts sleep, playtime, and your ability to relax. For many dogs across Australia, this is their reality. And sadly, because they can’t tell us exactly what’s going on, their discomfort can go unnoticed or misinterpreted for months.

If your dog is constantly scratching, biting, licking, rubbing on furniture, or scooting along the floor, it’s a cry for help. Persistent itchiness isn’t “just something dogs do”—it’s a symptom. At Jordan Dog Training, we often meet families dealing with behavioural challenges that stem from untreated skin issues, and it breaks our hearts.

So let’s unpack why dogs get itchy, what you can do to help, and how you can restore peace and comfort for your best mate.

What Causes Dogs to Itch?

There are dozens of potential causes of itching in dogs, but here are the most common ones we see in Australian households:

🐜 1. Fleas & Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)

Even one flea bite can cause a major allergic reaction in dogs with flea sensitivity. Australia’s climate—especially in places like Brisbane, Cairns, and northern NSW—means fleas are a year-round concern.

Some dogs will scratch furiously, while others may develop raw skin, scabs, and hair loss around the tail base or belly.

💡 Important: Many guardians don’t see fleas on their dog but still notice symptoms. That’s how reactive some dogs are to just a single bite.

✅ Use vet-approved flea preventatives year-round—spot-ons, oral tablets, or flea collars as advised by your vet.

🌿 2. Environmental Allergies (Atopy)

Just like us, dogs can suffer from hayfever-like symptoms. Their reaction to allergens like grass, dust mites, or tree pollens tends to show up in their skin, ears, paws, and eyes.

Common Aussie triggers include:

• Wandering Jew (Tradescantia), a major skin irritant in Queensland and NSW
• Couch grass
• Dust mites (especially in carpeted homes)
• Fungal spores and mould from damp conditions
• Seasonal pollen from flowering natives

You might see your dog chewing their paws, rubbing their face, or getting repeated ear infections. Itchy flare-ups often happen in spring and summer but can persist all year round.

🍗 3. Food Allergies & Intolerances

While less common than flea or environmental allergies, some dogs react to certain proteins in their diet—especially beef, chicken, dairy, or grains.

Unlike digestive food intolerances, food allergies often show up in the skin:

• Itchy ears
• Inflamed paws
• Constant licking or chewing
• Chronic or recurring ear infections

🦴 A properly supervised elimination diet (typically involving novel proteins like kangaroo or crocodile) is the gold standard for diagnosing food allergies. Never self-diagnose—always work with your vet.

🌾 4. Contact Allergies & Irritants

Think about what your dog’s skin touches: your lawn, their bedding, floor cleaners, even the laundry detergent used on their blankets.

Common irritants include:

• Fertilisers and lawn sprays
• Harsh shampoos
• Carpets treated with deodorising powders
• Plastic bowls
• Fragranced baby wipes or grooming sprays

Dogs with contact allergies often react on the belly, paws, groin, or chin—where their fur is thinnest.

🦠 5. Yeast & Bacterial Skin Infections

When a dog scratches too much, it can break the skin barrier, leading to secondary infections—especially from yeast (like Malassezia) or bacteria (Staphylococcus). These are common in hot, humid areas of Australia.

Look for:

• Greasy skin
• Musty smell
• Brown, waxy ears
• Red or crusty skin in armpits, groin, or between the toes

These infections don’t resolve on their own—your dog will need medicated shampoo, antifungal or antibiotic treatment prescribed by your vet.

🕷️ 6. Mites (Mange)

Australia sees occasional outbreaks of sarcoptic mange, which is intensely itchy and highly contagious between dogs. It often starts around the ears, elbows, or belly and spreads quickly.

Demodectic mange is more common in puppies or immunocompromised dogs. While less itchy, it still causes hair loss and scaly skin.

Diagnosis requires a vet—often using skin scrapings or biopsies.

💧 7. Dry Skin & Overbathing

Too many baths, low humidity (especially in winter or in air-conditioned homes), and poor diet can all lead to dry, flaky skin.

🚿 Bathing with human shampoo or over-the-counter pet products can strip natural oils. Stick to a vet-recommended or oatmeal-based shampoo, and don’t overdo the baths unless medically required.

Adding omega-3s (from fish oil or flax) can also help nourish the skin from the inside out.

🧠 8. Anxiety & Behavioural Itching

Sometimes itching becomes compulsive—especially in dogs with anxiety, boredom, or under-stimulation. Dogs may lick, chew, or nibble at their paws, legs, or tail—even when there’s no medical cause.

If your dog is:

• Left alone for long periods
• Missing daily enrichment or structured routines
• Licking themselves raw despite no allergies

…this might be a behaviour issue, and our team can help address that.

🧬 9. Hormonal Disorders

Conditions like:

• Hypothyroidism
• Cushing’s Disease can cause skin and coat problems, recurring infections, and itchiness. These typically require bloodwork and long-term management.

The Impact of Chronic Itching

Constant itching can have devastating effects on a dog’s wellbeing:

• Broken sleep
• Distressed behaviour or aggression
• Increased licking, hot spots, and infections
• Long-term damage to the skin barrier

Many of the reactive or anxious dogs we work with have underlying medical discomforts that are only discovered later. Itching is never just a surface problem—it affects the dog’s mental and emotional wellbeing, too.

What You Can Do

1. 📋 Visit your vetYour first stop should always be a vet to rule out infections, parasites, or allergies. Skin issues can look very similar but need different treatments.
2. 📸 Track symptoms Note when the itching happens, what areas are affected, and if there are environmental patterns (e.g., after walks on grass).
3. 🪰 Stay on parasite preventatives Even indoor dogs in urban areas need flea, tick, and mite protection year-round in Australia.
4. 🍽 Trial diet changes carefully Never switch diets randomly. Work with your vet on a controlled food trial if food allergies are suspected.
5. 🛏 Keep the environment clean Wash bedding weekly, vacuum regularly, and avoid harsh cleaners.
6. 🧠 Support their mental wellbeing Puzzle toys, scent games, slow walks, and structured training sessions can reduce stress-related licking and scratching.
7. 💬 Reach out if behaviour is changing If you’re noticing anxiety, stress, or behavioural changes alongside itching, contact Jordan Dog Training for help managing both sides of the issue.

Compassion First, Always

Your dog isn’t “just being dramatic.” Itchiness can cause significant suffering and deserves your full attention.

At Jordan Dog Training, we’re passionate about helping dogs live their best lives. Whether it’s a training challenge, anxiety, or a behavioural fallout from chronic discomfort, we’re here to support you with kindness and experience.

Disclaimer

We are not veterinarians. This article is intended as a general guide only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Always consult your vet if your dog is experiencing itching, skin issues, or any signs of illness. Only a qualified vet can provide diagnosis and treatment for medical conditions.

📌 Need help managing your itchy dog’s behaviour, anxiety, or frustration?

Reach out to the team at Jordan Dog Training or follow us on Facebook. We’re here to help you both feel better.