Your Dog’s Summer Scratch

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A variety of things can cause your dog to compulsively scratch his or her skin; scratching usually occurs more during the summer months. Pollen allergies, food allergies, parasites, fleas, mites, and ticks can all make your dog’s coat itchy and uncomfortable. Following the tips below can help ensure that your dog won’t feel the tedious urge to paw and scratch at his or her coat anymore.

Bugs and Mites

If your dog has fleas, mites, ticks, parasites, or even a combination of those, you can often take care of in the comfort of your own home. These critters make your dog uncomfortable; the sooner you fix the problem, the better. Most pet stores sell over-the-counter medications for any bug or parasite that has invaded your dog’s skin. Regularly giving your dog a bath and brushing your dog can help prevent such issues. Most pet stores also carry different varieties of shampoos that are effective solutions for getting rid of critters in your dog’s coat.

Allergies

Allergies, whether due to food or pollen, make a dog’s coat itchy. When people have allergies during allergy season, they usually have symptoms that mimic a cold. When dogs have allergies, they tend to have fur that becomes unbearably itchy, so they scratch repeatedly in search of relief.

Luckily, allergies are seasonal and often go away by themselves. It’s important to make sure you regularly brush and bathe your dog. During the summer, you should aim to give your dog a weekly bath due to the pollen and extreme heat. If your dog’s allergies are especially awful, you can make an appointment with your local veterinarian and have your dog put on allergy pills similar to those that humans take during allergy season.

If you’ve tried one, some, or all of these remedies and your dog is still compulsively scratching, it’s time to take your dog to see a veterinarian. The root cause of your dog’s itching might be deeper than you can cure on your own. A veterinarian can help you determine what’s wrong and how to fix it.