Itchy Skin in Dogs: Treatment & Prevention

Originally written by Danni Sheppet-Hamilton, qualified veterinary nurse and dog training instructor. Updated by Justin Jordan, Founder of Jordan Dog Training.

Originally published 17 February 2014. Updated 2nd October 2026.

Is your dog suffering itchy skin? Learn the do’s and don’ts of treatment and prevention!

Is your dog keeping you awake scratching and chewing? Or stopping throughout the day to lick their feet, rub their face or nibble at their skin?

Summer and warmer weather can bring more skin troubles for some dogs, but itching can happen at any time of year. Fleas, environmental allergies, food allergies, mites and infections are among the possible causes. The right treatment starts with finding out what is causing the itch, with help from your vet.

An important point in Danni’s original article was that dealing with the initial cause does not necessarily resolve everything. Once irritated skin becomes infected, your dog may need help with both problems. That is why acting early matters.

I have kept that practical message at the centre of this update. Important: At Jordan Dog Training, we are dog trainers and behaviourists, not veterinarians. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace a thorough veterinary consultation, diagnosis or treatment. For veterinary advice specific to your pet, please consult your pet’s veterinarian. If your dog is persistently itchy, uncomfortable or has damaged skin, arrange a veterinary appointment rather than treating the problem yourself.

Causes of doggy skin problems

Fleas and flea allergy

Fleas are an important starting point when your dog is itchy. Even if you cannot see them, they may still be involved. For a dog with flea allergy, a single bite can cause considerable discomfort.

The fleas you see are only part of the problem. Fleas develop through egg, larval, pupal and adult stages. Much of an infestation can be in the environment, including bedding and carpets, rather than visible on your dog.

This helps explain why treating your dog once may not bring an infestation under control. New fleas can continue emerging from the environment. Ask your vet about an effective plan for your dog, other pets in the household and their surroundings.

Year-round prevention matters. Tell your vet which product you use, when you last gave it and whether you have missed any doses. Follow the product instructions and your vet’s advice about cleaning bedding and managing the home environment.

Flea products have changed since this article was first published. A collar, spot-on or chew should be judged on its active ingredient, suitability and correct use, rather than its format alone. Your vet can recommend an appropriate option.

Atopy: environmental allergies

Atopy, or atopic dermatitis, is an allergic skin condition associated with environmental allergens such as pollens, moulds and dust mites.

It is sometimes compared with hay fever because environmental allergens are involved. However, dogs often show their discomfort through itchy skin, and problems with the skin barrier allow allergens to penetrate. It is more complicated than simply breathing in pollen.

Useful questions to take to your vet include:

Does my dog keep licking or chewing their feet?
Do they have recurring ear irritation or infections?
Are their face, paws, belly or other areas repeatedly itchy?
Does the problem change with the season, or continue all year?

These observations help build a history; they do not diagnose an allergy. Your vet needs to consider other causes and any infections as well. Some dogs need ongoing care, and a veterinary dermatologist may help with persistent or difficult cases.

Contact allergies

Something that touches your dog’s skin may cause irritation or an allergic reaction. Areas that contact the ground, such as the paws, belly, groin and armpits, can be affected.

Danni’s advice to look around the garden before your appointment is still useful. Take photos of plants and tell your vet where your dog rests, plays or rolls. Also mention new bedding, washing products or household cleaners.

Try to notice patterns without jumping to conclusions. Being itchy after lying on grass does not, by itself, prove a grass allergy. Environmental allergies, food allergies, parasites and infections can produce similar signs.

Food allergies

Food allergy can cause itchy skin, but environmental allergies are more common. Paw licking or recurring ear trouble does not automatically mean your dog needs a different food.

A dog may react to an ingredient they have eaten for a long time. Simply changing brands or choosing food labelled for sensitive skin is not a reliable way to diagnose the problem.

Your vet may recommend a strict elimination diet, generally for around eight weeks, followed by a dietary challenge to help confirm whether food is responsible. The diet and duration need to suit your individual dog.

Everything your dog eats counts during a food trial. This includes treats, chews, table scraps, supplements and flavoured medications. Discuss these with your vet, and do not stop prescribed medication or parasite prevention yourself.

If you attend training, ask whether the approved food can be used for rewards and let your trainer know. A natural or single-ingredient treat is not automatically suitable. Blood, skin and saliva tests marketed for food allergies do not replace a properly supervised diet trial.

Sarcoptic mange and other mites

Mites should also be considered. Sarcoptic mange can cause intense itching and spread between animals; exposure can affect people too.

Before the appointment, think about:

Where has my dog been recently?
Have they had contact with other animals or wildlife?
Are any other pets or people in the household itchy?

Give this information to your vet. Different mite conditions need appropriate assessment and treatment, so do not attempt to identify mange from a photograph or treat it with home remedies.

Treating your dog’s itchy skin

Why treating the cause may not treat the whole problem

Your dog scratches, chews or rubs to try to relieve the itch. Unfortunately, this can damage skin that is already inflamed and create another problem: infection.

Bacteria and yeasts can be present on normal skin. Under certain conditions, including inflammation and changes to the skin barrier, they can overgrow and contribute to skin disease. Your vet may check for bacterial infection or yeast such as Malassezia.

Now your dog may have both the original reason for itching and an infection adding to the discomfort. More licking and scratching can mean further damage, keeping the problem going.

That is the practical reason behind Danni’s original warning: do not wait for an itchy dog to scratch themselves raw before seeking help. A flea treatment or dietary change will not necessarily resolve an infection that has already developed.

Treat the cause early

Book a veterinary appointment if itching keeps returning, interrupts sleep or normal activities, or is accompanied by redness, hair loss or ear irritation.

Contact your vet promptly about painful skin, open sores, bleeding, discharge, strong odour or a rapidly worsening patch. Difficulty breathing, collapse or signs of a severe allergic reaction require immediate emergency veterinary care.

Keep a simple record of when the itching started, affected areas and products or treatments already tried. Photos can help show changes between appointments. If treatment is not helping, contact your vet rather than adding another product yourself.

Remember: human products may irritate your dog

Please do not use human shampoo, wool wash, fabric softener or household soaps on your dog’s skin. Choose skin-care products with your vet, particularly when the skin is already irritated.

A gentle dog shampoo may be appropriate for some dogs. Others need a medicated shampoo chosen for a specific condition. Ask which product to use, how often to bathe your dog and how long the product should stay on the skin.

Medicated shampoos can be helpful when appropriately selected. They should not all be dismissed as drying or harmful, but buying one without knowing the cause of the itch may mean treating the wrong problem.

Be careful with essential oils and home remedies

Natural does not automatically mean safe. Concentrated tea tree oil has caused serious poisoning in dogs and cats, including after application to the skin.

Do not apply concentrated essential oils or homemade mixtures to irritated skin. Ask your vet before using a product, even if it is available in a pet shop. Its ingredients, concentration and formulation matter.

A veterinary formulation is different from applying an undiluted oil at home. The safest approach is to get advice about the actual product rather than assume every product containing an oil is either safe or harmful.

If you suspect poisoning, contact your vet or the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738.

Save time, money and frustration: avoid treating by guesswork

It is understandable to want immediate relief for your dog. But repeatedly trying shampoos, supplements or different foods can delay finding the cause.

Ask your vet for a clear plan and follow it consistently. Not every skin condition can be prevented or permanently cured; some dogs need ongoing management to reduce flare-ups and keep them comfortable.

From the training side, my advice is simple: give an uncomfortable dog a break. Repeatedly stopping to scratch is a reason to check their comfort, not demand more concentration. Keep sessions short and follow any dietary restrictions when choosing rewards.

If behaviour concerns also need attention, our in-home behaviour training can support that side of your dog’s care alongside their veterinary plan. Our article about recognising signs of illness or injury offers further owner guidance.

Common questions about itchy skin in dogs

Why is my dog scratching when I cannot see fleas?

Fleas may still be involved. Allergies, mites and skin infections are other possible causes. Persistent scratching needs veterinary assessment, even when no fleas are visible.

What can I put on my dog’s itchy skin?

Ask your vet before applying anything, especially to broken or inflamed skin. The appropriate product depends on the cause; human creams, essential oils and household products should not be used by guesswork.

Does licking their paws mean my dog has a food allergy?

No. Several conditions can cause paw licking. A food allergy needs investigation rather than being assumed from that sign alone.

Can I give my dog a human antihistamine?

Check with your vet before giving human medication. The product, dose and suitability need to be assessed for your dog.

Can itchy skin be prevented?

Effective parasite prevention and a suitable skin-care plan can help, but not every condition is preventable. Dogs with allergies may need ongoing veterinary management.

Danni’s original message remains the most useful place to finish: take persistent itching seriously, get the cause checked early and avoid treating by guesswork. Your dog deserves to feel comfortable.

For advice about your dog’s skin, please consult your pet’s vet. The information here supports owner awareness and does not replace a thorough veterinary consultation.

Give your dog a pat from us.

Australian veterinary sources used for this update

Don't Forget To Share This Post!

LOG IN

How to treat & prevent itchy skin in dogs