Why is my Dog Excessively Licking Itself?
Q: Why is my dog licking so much recently? A friend told me it could be allergies. How can I help her?
A: If your dog is licking a lot it is possible that she has allergies. Dogs can be allergic to just about anything in their environment including pollens and dust mites. When dogs have allergic skin disease they become very itchy. This can cause them to scratch and lick excessively. Dogs that have allergies are prone to secondary bacterial and yeast skin infections that make them even itchier.
If you think your dog has allergies you should see you veterinarian. Your vet will be able to diagnose allergies and treat the skin infections that go along with them. If your pet is diagnosed with allergies, they should be bathed about once a week. We now know that many allergens are absorbed through the skin and frequent bathing can help remove them. If your pet licks at her paws a lot, try wiping them clean after she is outside. Sometimes the grass can irritate them and cause them to lick and even chew at their feet.
Another thing that you can do for an allergic dog is to add fish oil or fatty acid supplements to her food. Most veterinary clinics carry these and this will help to minimize itch and keep the hair coat healthy. Finally, there are different medications that can be prescribed to help your pet deal with her allergies and itchy skin.
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Comments (2)
How I Lost Thirty Pounds in Thirty Days May 4, 2009 12:44 AM
Hi, nice post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for writing. I'll certainly be subscribing to your site.
treating ringworm May 6, 2009 2:55 PM
I got ringworm from my dog how do I treat him
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