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When your australian shepherd itches every once and a while it’s no big deal. It’s when you start noticing them itching frequently that it starts to become a concern.
Is it normal for australian shepherds to be so itchy or is something wrong?
Why Is My Australian Shepherd So Itchy:
Just like people, your australian shepherd is susceptible to allergies. If your australian shepherd is allergic to an airborne allergen or an ingredient in their food it will make them very itchy. Other reasons why they may be so itchy are, it’s become a coping mechanism, parasites or dry skin.
In this post you’ll discover:
- 9 reasons why your australian shepherd is so itchy
- When your aussie’s itching is something to be worried about
- 4 tips to help your australian shepherd not be so itchy (Tip #3 is something you can do immediately!)
- And much more
Let’s jump right in.
Table of Contents
9 Real Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Itch & Scratch So Much
1) Dealing With Boredom
If your australian shepherd is feeling bored and is tired of playing with their toys by themselves they may itch and scratch simply to deal with their boredom.
Just like people do odd things when they’re bored, like biting their fingernails or playing with their hair, your aussie might be itching so much simply for something to do.
When your pup doesn’t get the necessary physical and mental stimulation they need they may start to feel antsy.
Which causes them to itch as a way to relieve some of their pent up energy.
If your aussie is scratching themselves out of boredom it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on them and try to intervene.
If they’re left unchecked they may develop an itching habit that can be difficult to break.
Related Reading: 10 Best Toys To Entertain Your Dog | Boredom Buster Toys
2) Coping With Negative Feelings
Just like people, dogs can also scratch themselves when they’re feeling down or stressed.
If your australian shepherd is feeling anxious, scared or uncomfortable for any reason they may start to itch as a way to cope with their negative feelings.
Some dogs will even chew on their paws which can be just as bad as scratching since it can lead to raw, bleeding skin.
If you think your aussie is scratching themselves due to negative feelings it’s important to try and figure out what’s causing them to feel that way.
There are many different things that can cause strong anxious feelings in dogs such as loud noises, unfamiliar environments or changes in their routine.
A few examples of these would be if someone they loved recently passed away (canine or human), moving to a new house, or if someone new started living with you full time recently.
3) Allergic Reaction
One of the most common reasons australian shepherds (and all dogs for that matter) itch and scratch is due to an allergic reaction.
Dogs can be allergic to many different things such as pollen, grass, dander, dust mites, cleaning chemicals and even certain foods.
When your pup comes in contact with something they’re allergic to they may start to itch and scratch as a way to relieve the irritation.
If you think your aussie may be scratching due to an allergic reaction it’s important to take them to see the vet so they can determine what they’re allergic to.
Once you know what your pup is allergic to, you can take steps to avoid those allergens.
4) Lice or Mange
Lice and mange are both types of parasites that can live on your aussie’s skin and cause them to itch.
Lice are tiny insects that feed on blood and mange is caused by mites that burrow into the skin.
Both of these conditions are highly contagious and can be passed from dog to dog quite easily.
If you think your aussie has either lice or mange it’s important to take them to the vet so they can be properly diagnosed and treated.
Treating lice and mange usually involves using special shampoos or dips that kill the parasites.
Your vet will be able to prescribe the proper medication for your pup.
5) Dry Skin
Dry skin is another common reason why australian shepherds will itch and scratch more than usual.
Just like people, when your aussie’s skin gets too dry it can become irritated and start to itch.
Dogs usually develop dry skin due to environmental factors such as the time of year and how much moisture is in the air or from using harsh chemicals on their coat.
If your aussie simply has dry skin it’s a good idea to try and moisturize their coat with a quality dog shampoo.
Avoid using human shampoo on your pup as it can strip the natural oils from their skin and make the problem even worse.
Related Reading: 12 Best Shampoos for Australian Shepherds: Top-Tier List
6) Imbalance With Their Hormones
Another possible reason why your aussie is itching so much is due to an imbalance with their hormones.
Just like people, when dogs’ hormone levels get out of balance it can cause all sorts of problems such as weight gain, hair loss and yes, even excessive itching.
There are many different things that can cause a hormone imbalance in dogs such as aging, stress, poor diet and even certain medications.
It can also be caused by health conditions like hypothyroidism or when their body produces too much cortisol (stress hormone).
7) Skin Infection
Another possible reason for all their itching is a skin infection.
Skin infections are usually caused by bacteria or fungi and can cause your aussie’s skin to become red, greasy, inflamed and itchy.
You’ll likely also notice a rather off-putting smell coming from your pup if they have any sort of skin infection.
Areas where infections show up more than usual are under their tail, their paw pads, ears, as well as neck.
8) Possible Parasites
There are a few different types of parasites that can live on your australian shepherd’s skin and cause them to itch a lot.
Some of the most common are fleas, ticks and mites (we touched on mites earlier).
These little buggers can be quite annoying for both you and your pup as they not only make them itch but can also cause them to lose hair, have red skin and even get an infection.
Treating parasites usually involves using special shampoos, dips or spot-on treatments that kill the bugs.
If you do an inspection and find your aussie does in fact have some of these pests your vet will be able to prescribe the proper medication for your pup.
9) Injury
The last reason why your australian shepherd may be itching so much is because they’ve injured themselves.
Injuries can come in many different forms such as a cut, burn, something caught in their paw pad, or even an insect bite.
It could also be from dull aching pains like arthritis or hip/elbow dysplasia.
If you think your aussie may have an injury it’s important to take them to the vet so they can be properly examined and treated.
The treatment for an injury will depend on what exactly the injury is as well as how bad it is.
4 Tips To Help Your Australian Shepherd Not Itch As Much
1) Find What’s Triggering Their Itch
The first step in helping your aussie stop itching so much is to find out what’s causing it.
Now that you know all the different reasons why your aussie could be itching so much, you’ll want to pay close attention to what triggers them to itch.
Do they start itching more when they’re outside, after eating certain foods, or when they’re around certain people/animals?
Once you figure out what’s triggering their itch you can then take steps to avoid those triggers as much as possible.
2) Experiment With Different Food
If you think your aussie’s itch could be diet related then you may want to experiment with different food.
There are many different types of dog food on the market these days and some are better than others when it comes to skin health.
You may need to try a few different brands or flavors before you find one that agrees with your pup or doesn’t give them an allergic reaction.
While it’s not recommended to change up your aussie’s diet very often, you may need to do some experimenting to figure out what they’re allergic to exactly.
*Side note: You can also supplement their diet with Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids to help keep their skin nice and healthy. Many dog foods don’t contain much Omega-3 or 6 which is why supplementing it can be super good for their skin.
3) Increasing At-Home Grooming
If you’re not already doing it, then increasing your at-home grooming routine can also help your aussie stop itching so much.
This includes things like brushing their coat (to help distribute their natural oils), bathing them every 2-3 months (using a dog shampoo that won’t dry out their skin) and trimming their nails/wiping their paws regularly.
By keeping up with their grooming you can help keep their skin healthy and free of any dirt, debris or allergens that could be triggering their itch.
It’s also a good way to bond with your pup and keep an eye on their overall health and well-being.
Regular at-home grooming will also help you spot any potential injuries or skin problems early on so they can be treated quickly.
*Pro tip: use a humidifier in the winter if you live in a dry climate. The extra moisture in the air will help keep your aussie’s skin from drying out and cracking which can lead to more itching.
4) Have a Vet Look At Them
While the tips above can be very helpful in stopping your australian shepherd from itching so much, it’s always a good idea to have a vet look at them.
They’ll be able to help you figure out what’s most likely causing their itching which can help you help your pup get better ASAP.
Other posts you might find interesting:
11 Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Are So Hyper + 5 Tips
Australian Shepherd Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes & Solutions
9 Reasons Australian Shepherds Are Always Hungry + Tips
Teddy Bear Goldendoodle Haircut & Simple Grooming Tips
Sources:
Canine Food Allergy
Malassezia Dermatitis (Yeast Infection of Dog’s Skin)