Puppy Scratching

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

Coby is almost 15 weeks old now and doing well…EXCEPT she seems to scratch herself an awful lot. I  don't see any evidence of fleas and we don't reside in a a "high flea' area; but she has done this for several weeks. As far as quantifying it, it isn't constantly or even frequently but something I notice she does throughout the day. I can't recall this from my other dogs. Her coat is quite different from prior ALD - his was curly and hers is much straighter (have to say), almost scruffy looking at times. Is this behavior usual or not? 

[Abby Christos]

Bob's hair is straighter and scruffy and he went through this around this age too. I actually brought him to the vet because I thought it might be the end of the summer allergies that some dogs get. He actually was getting scabs under his armpits form scratching. The vet just advised to give a benedryl (20-25) if it was really bothering him. It seemed to have lasted 3/4 weeks.

[Alexis]

Cooper is 5 months and is also going through this. He's also got the shaggy, scruffy coat. I've checked for fleas and haven't seen anything. Maybe it's got something to do with the weather change.

[Brittney & Cally]

Susan, I think you would have a better chance of figuring this out if you post in the health group.

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

Yarrow went through that, too.  With our girl, it stopped when we changed her food.  Obviously there was some ingredient that was not agreeing with her.  Our pet supply store sells kits to take some sort of sample and send it off to find out what food sensitivities a dog has.   It costs about the price of a bag of quality dog food (here in British Columbia anyway).  Apparently it's cheaper than having a vet do it.  It was going to be my next course of action if we didn't find a food that agreed with Yarrow.

[Abby Christos]

To Deb's point, if you are feeding food with chicken, it may be that. Many dogs have reactions to chicken. You may want to try beef, pork or wild game.

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

I am interested in this too.

My pup has been scratching since I brought her home at 8 weeks and she is 6 months old. It's just crazy.

I have her on Orijen puppy and I give her a probiotic supplement. I give her salmon oil in her food. I keep her ears clean. She doesn't have fleas.

No hot spots, it's all over.

The first vet said it was the dry winter air. The holistic vet recommended the salmon oil. I see no change. It doesn't seem worse or better after a bath.

I haven't explored the chicken idea, but I've read here that food allergies are rare in young puppies.

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

I have Coby on Origen puppy, too, supplemented at the morning meal with My Perfect Pet Hunters Blend turkey and salmon -- but I did check and see that the puppy chow has chicken in it.  I'll investigate that route.  

Weather is fairly consistent here in AZ - although it will only get hotter and drier, I'm afraid...

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

Another thing that cleared up at the same time was the very waxy buildup in her ears.  If you've tried everything else, check out the Dog Allergy Sensitivity Assessment Test Kits online.

[Alexis]

Cooper is on Holistic Select for large breed puppies which is a lamb dog food. Did the Origen help make a difference?

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Constant scratching is not normal. And of course, finding the cause is key. Allergies to surroundings or food, dry skin or fleas, is most common.

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

Another thing most people don't think about is products like Fabreeze.  In the commercials they like to spray the dog's bed.  Many dogs react badly to that product.  Also, the contents of a shampoo or, in some cases, too many baths which dries out their skin.  We like to wash the oil out of our bodies and hair (and then put it back in with expensive products) but dogs need the oil in their skin and it's not possible to rub oils and lotions back in after bathing. 

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

I generally don't pay too much attention to commercials but have you seen the one where the kids are playing with a puppy and the dog's running around in a bunch of interconnecting plastic tubes to prevent him from getting parasites?  I love that one. 

Good thought about Fabreze but I steer clear of those sprays; only gave Coby one bath with organic puppy shampoo and then she had one while in training but I can see if that remains a continued pattern, thanks.