Puppy
For growing puppies of all breeds
Itchy dogs
Why does my dog itch so much?
Scratching, paw licking and sore ears are among the most common reasons dogs see a vet. Here are the likely causes, how to narrow them down, and where food comes into it.
The signs
How much itching is too much?
Every dog scratches now and then. It becomes a problem when it is frequent, when it interrupts sleep or play, or when the skin starts to show it. Itching does not always look dramatic; often it is a handful of small habits that slowly become normal.
- Scratching, or rubbing against furniture and carpets
- Licking or chewing the paws
- Red or irritated skin, especially belly, armpits and chin
- Ear trouble that keeps coming back
- Thinning fur or bald patches
- Scooting, or licking under the tail
The causes
What makes a dog itch?
Itching is a symptom, not a diagnosis. These are the usual causes, and a dog can easily have two at once.
Fleas and other parasites
The first thing to rule out. A dog that is sensitive to flea bites can itch badly from very few fleas, and you may never see one. Mites cause itching too.
Environmental allergies
Pollen, grasses, dust mites and moulds. Often seasonal at first, and typically affecting paws, face, ears and belly.
Skin and ear infections
Bacteria and yeast take hold in irritated skin and ears, then cause more itching of their own. They need treatment from your vet.
Hormonal disorders
Conditions such as an underactive thyroid can change the skin and coat and make infections more likely.
Food
Some dogs react to an ingredient, most often a protein they have eaten for a long time. This tends to be year-round and may come with loose stools or wind.
Dry or irritated skin
Frequent bathing, harsh shampoos and household cleaning products can all leave skin dry and itchy.
See the vet
When should I take an itchy dog to the vet?
If the itching has lasted more than a week or two, keeps returning, or your dog is clearly uncomfortable, book a visit. Go sooner if you see any of these:
- Broken, bleeding, weeping or smelly skin
- Head shaking, a smelly ear or a head held to one side
- Hair loss, scabs or thickened, darkened skin
- Itching that keeps your dog, or you, awake at night
- Vomiting, diarrhoea, weight change or low energy alongside the itch
Diet
Could my dog’s food be causing the itch?
It could, though food is only one of the possible causes and often not the only one. A few things point towards it: itching all year rather than in one season, stomach trouble alongside the skin trouble, and no improvement once fleas and infections have been dealt with.
The only dependable way to find out is an elimination trial, planned with your vet.
-
Choose one food with a new protein
A protein your dog has not eaten before, in a recipe without the common triggers.
-
Feed only that for 8 to 12 weeks
No other treats, chews or table scraps. Skin takes longer to respond than digestion does.
-
Look back with your vet
If the itch has eased, food was probably part of it. If not, you have ruled it out and can look elsewhere.
Where we fit in
Where does Nala Health come in?
If you and your vet suspect food, our recipes are one option for the trial and for everyday feeding afterwards. The protein is black soldier fly larvae, which is new to most dogs, and the recipes are made without chicken, beef, egg, dairy, soy, wheat or maize.
They also contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for normal skin and coat, and fibre, probiotics and butyrate for the gut. Many dogs with food sensitivities do well on them. Not every dog will, because any dog can react to any ingredient.
Itchy dogs, in their owners’ words
What other owners have found
These are individual customers’ experiences. They are not typical results, and they are not medical advice.
-
This food is the best. My 9 year old French bulldog no longer itches, she has no redness under the chin, no loose stools and no shedding!
She has had all these problems for years. Now the old problems have disappeared.Wilma Eva, pet parent -
Nala Health is the only thing that has worked perfectly for Brumle! We have tried a lot of different things, but since we started with Nala Health, his coat is fantastic and his itching is completely gone. Nala Health is one of the only types of food that doesn’t contain anything he’s allergic to without being ultra-processed and completely tasteless.
Brumle Silje, pet parent -
Lulu is very happy with Nala Health and can live a happy life now. He is an allergic dog but this food suits him so well. Also thank you for the good services and quick delivery.
Lulu Killy, pet parent -
Kiran, who has struggled with allergies and has been on different expensive allergy foods for years. After switching to Nala Health he has had no issues. Mali, who has always been a picky eater, has a good appetite and eats well. Their stools are also good and their fur is shiny.
We are so happy with the food!
Mali and Kiran Ida, pet parent
If you want to try it
The recipes
Four complete recipes on the same allergy-conscious base. Choose by age and size, or start with a Trial Bag to check your dog likes the taste.
-
-
Adult Small Breed
For adult dogs under 10 kg
-
Adult Medium to Large Breed
For adult dogs over 10 kg
-
Senior and Weight Management
For dogs over 7, or adults watching their weight
-
Trial Bag
A 400 g taster of any recipe
Questions about itchy dogs
Why is my dog so itchy when there are no fleas?
First, fleas are easy to miss, so make sure flea control is up to date. After that, the common causes are environmental allergies, skin or ear infections, food reactions and, less often, hormonal conditions. Your vet can help you tell them apart.
Why does my dog keep licking its paws?
Paw licking is a typical sign of allergy, environmental or food-related, but it can also be a grass seed, a sore nail, an infection between the toes, pain or boredom. Persistent licking deserves a vet’s look.
How can I tell a food allergy from an environmental allergy?
You often cannot, from symptoms alone. Seasonal itching points towards the environment; year-round itching with stomach upsets points more towards food. An elimination trial is how food is confirmed or ruled out.
How long does a food take to help itchy skin?
If food is the cause, allow the full 8 to 12 weeks of an elimination trial before judging. Skin renews slowly.
Can changing food make the itching worse?
It can, if your dog reacts to something in the new food. Stop feeding it and speak to your vet if symptoms get worse.
What can I do at home in the meantime?
Keep flea control current, wash bedding regularly, rinse paws after walks in long grass and avoid over-bathing. Do not use human creams or medicines without asking your vet.
Do recurring ear infections have anything to do with food?
They can. Ears are skin too, and recurring ear trouble is often linked to an underlying allergy, which may be environmental or food-related. The infection itself needs veterinary treatment.
Think food might be part of it?
See which Nala Health recipe suits your dog’s age and size.