Dog Skin Problems (Causes And Solutions)

Dogs can experience skin issues, just like humans, and these can have a detrimental effect on their general health. Long courses of medication are sometimes required to treat these conditions, which can be costly as well as frustrating for the dog’s parents.

Dogs may experience skin issues for several reasons, including ectoparasites, autoimmune disorders, allergic reactions, and a few others. Antibiotics, steroids, and anti-allergic drugs are frequently used to treat skin conditions, but other approaches can be effective and less expensive.

To treat your dog’s skin issues, our small animal veterinarian will give you practical solutions that you can try, so read on.

What Are The Causes Of Skin Problems In Dogs

Before we move on to treatment, it is important to determine what is causing your dog’s terrible skin issues because, in some cases, knowing the cause can help you prevent these conditions and take better care of your pet.

1.     Allergies

Allergies are one of the leading causes of skin problems in dogs. These can be of several types like food allergies, environmental allergies, insect allergies, etc. Unfortunately, allergies have no specific treatment and the best cure for allergies is prevention.

2.     Ectoparasites

Your dog’s skin problem could be caused by fleas, mites, ticks, and other parasites. These may result in itchy skin as well as allergic reactions.

3.     Climate changes

Your dog’s constant scratching could be due to the dry and cold climate. When the skin loses all of its moisture due to low humidity in the environment, it becomes flaky and itchy. A good skin moisturizer and humidifier can sometimes solve this problem.

4.     Lack of activity

Skin problems are more common in dogs who are less active and do not get enough exercise. The reason behind this could be a lack of exposure to sunlight, as well as changes in metabolism and hormones in the body.

5.     Fungal or bacterial infections

Skin infections with a foul odor, puss, and discharge are usually the result of a bacterial infection. Fungal infections typically cause itchy, redness, and flaky skin.

6.     Poor diet

Lack of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and protein in the diet can also lead to skin problems in dogs. Sometimes adding cooked vegetables and greens to the diet of your dog or completely switching to a new diet can be helpful.

What Are The Best Alternatives To Medications For Treating Skin Problems In Dogs?

There are several things that you can try to treat skin problems in dogs other than medications and these are listed below:

• Regularly exercising your dog and taking it for walks and runs can be beneficial for its skin problems.
• The addition of fresh vegetables and greens to your dog’s diet can be beneficial at times, but add them in cooked form and limited portions. Probiotics can also be added to dog food to help with digestion, which will also benefit skin health.
• Change your dog’s protein source. Some dogs may develop skin problems as a result of protein components in their diet, so switching to a different protein such as chicken, duck, or rabbit may be helpful.
• Identify the cause first because avoiding the cause is sometimes the only solution to a problem. For example, if your dog is allergic to something, limit its exposure to the allergen. If your dog has ectoparasites, the only treatment is an antiparasitic medication, which is inexpensive and only requires a single shot.
• Fish oils can be given to dogs with skin problems due to the abundance of Omega-3 fatty acids; these can lower skin inflammation and prevent skin issues in dogs.
• Apple cider vinegar can sometimes help with your dog’s skin problems. Before applying the vinegar to your dog’s body, it is advised to dilute it with water. This may not be effective for every skin problem.
• If your dog’s skin is itchy as a result of climate change, you should use a skin moisturizer or coconut oil.

NOTE: Always consult a veterinarian to determine the exact cause of your dog’s skin problem, and keep in mind that some of the remedies listed above may not work for all skin problems in dogs.