Just like you, your dog can have sensitive skin. They can get dry patches, itchy areas, and redness, all of which can be caused by a range of different things, including genetic and environmental factors.
If you notice that your pup has started scratching more often and more aggressively than usual, it’s worth taking a closer look at their skin. While it’s completely normal for your dog to itch and scratch every so often, excessive scratching can indicate that there is a deeper issue at hand.
When you take a look at your dog’s skin, look out for areas of dryness, flakiness, and information. Each of these symptoms or signs of potential skin disorders or allergies that need to be addressed.
Any dog can have sensitive skin, no matter what age or breed they are. Sensitive skin is more prone to becoming dry and inflamed when exposed to certain irritants or allergens.
Identifying the causes of your dog’s sensitive skin is key to finding the right treatments and effectively managing their condition, if necessary. For example, your dog might need sensitive skin dog food or certain supplements to boost their skin health.
In this article, we are going to cover the common signs of sensitive skin in dogs, the main reasons why dogs get sensitive skin and how you can effectively manage your pet’s skin sensitivities.
Common Signs of Sensitive Skin in Dogs
Learning to recognise the signs and symptoms of sensitive skin in dogs means you can quickly identify when there is a deeper problem and find the right solution. The most common signs look out for include:
- Excessive scratching
- Bald patches or areas of thinning across the fur
- Dry, flaky skin
- Redness and inflammation on the skin
- Bumps, lumps, and scabs on the skin
Causes of Skin Sensitivities in Dogs
There are a number of different reasons why your dog might be showing signs of sensitivities in their skin. Here are some of the most common reasons.
Food intolerances or allergies
If your dog’s diet contains foods that they are slightly sensitive to, it might show up in their skin. Common food allergens include wheat and corn, both of which contain gluten.
Even if your dog has previously shown no signs of intolerance or sensitivity to the foods that you’ve been feeding them, they can develop problems throughout the course of their life. If you suspect a dietary component is causing their sensitive skin, try switching up their diet.
Skin allergies
Known as canine atopic dermatitis, skin allergies are usually genetic, meaning your dog will have been born with them. However, symptoms can take a couple of years to appear.
Skin allergies require long-term management with the correct diet and treatments. The best thing is to avoid your dog being exposed to common allergens, such as pollen, grass, and dust mites. To help soothe your dog’s skin allergies, Mighty Munch offers allergen-friendly treats and supplements that can support skin health and reduce irritation.
Environmental factors
Weather conditions can cause your dog’s skin to become extra sensitive. In particular, dry environments can irritate the skin, causing dryness and flakiness. This includes dryness due to changes in seasons or because of indoor air conditioning systems.
Fleas
If there are fleas living in your dog’s fur, it can cause them to itch and scratch at their skin, resulting in redness and dryness. Fleas often congregate at the base of the tail, behind the ears, and around the thighs.
Skin Conditions
There are several common skin disorders that can lead to excess sensitivity in dogs, including:
- Folliculitis – a condition that causes bumps and scabs across the skin due to inflammation of the hair follicles.
- Impetigo – a common condition that causes pus-filled blisters to form across the skin. When these blisters pop, they can leave scabs.
- Seborrhoea – a skin problem that leads to dry, scaly patches. It is commonly caused by hormonal issues and allergies.
- Ringworm – a fungal infection that leads to circular patches of redness and dryness on the skin.
- Alopecia – a condition that leads to bald patches across the skin due to excessive hair loss. It’s mostly commonly caused by malnutrition, infection, or stress.
- Dandruff – similar to humans, dogs can get dandruff, leading to white flakes across the skin and fur.
Many of these conditions indicate that there is an underlying health problem, so it’s important to get things checked out if your dog has any of the above skin health disorders.
How Can You Help Your Dog if They Have Sensitive Skin?
Identifying the cause of your dog’s sensitive skin will make it easier to resolve the issue. Your dog’s skin is dry, itchy, and red due to a combination of reasons so you may need to take.
Here are some great steps to take if your dog is showing signs of skin sensitivities:
- Groom your dog regularly. As you brush through their fur, keep an eye out for bald patches or areas of dryness on the skin. If preferred, take your dog to a professional groomer who has a number of natural remedies to keep their skin healthy.
- Change your dog’s diet to eliminate common trigger foods, such as grains, or switch over to dog food that has been specifically formulated for dogs with sensitive skin.
- Improve your dog’s gut health by feeding them high-quality foods and supplements to enhance their nutrient intake.
- Focus on omega-3 and vitamin E supplements, as both of these nutrients have been shown to lower inflammation, which can improve skin health. You can rub vitamin E containing creams directly onto your dog’s skin. Another great supplement for your dog’s skin health is CBD oil, which is a natural anti-inflammatory.
- Use a shampoo that has been designed specifically for dogs with sensitive skin when washing them. These shampoos are free of common allergens and will help to rehydrate the skin, reducing dryness and flakiness. Regularly washing your dog’s fur will remove allergens, such as pollen and grass, from their fur.
- Clean your dog’s feet when they’ve been outside to get rid of allergens and reduce skin sensitivity issue.
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