Dermatology & Allergies
IS IT MORE THAN AN ITCH?
Skin problems in dogs are more common during the warmer seasons, which is when seasonal allergies (such as those to pollen and plants), insect bites and other allergic symptoms are more likely. It’s important to pay attention to any skin conditions your dog suffers from, even if they appear relatively minor. Skin symptoms in dogs, such as itching, rashes, or bald patches, could be an indicator of a health condition that hasn’t already been diagnosed by a vet or vet nurse.
To help you understand the range of dog skin problems and identify the more obvious symptoms typically associated with each issue (as well as an potential underlying cause), we have summarised 10 of the most common skin conditions in dogs.
Symptoms of Dog Skin Conditions
Itching is one of the most obvious symptoms of a dermatological condition, but it’s difficult for a pet owner to determine exactly what’s irritating their dog without a full veterinary examination. While it is quite normal for a dog to occasionally itch, frequent or prolonged itching is a tell-tale sign of something more serious. Dogs may try to relieve the itch by rubbing their head against an object or scratching the irritated area with their paws. You may also see your dog licking their paws or other areas of the body to soothe the irritated skin. Other symptoms associated with skin conditions include:
- Skin sores or skin lesions
- Dry, flaky, or scaly skin
- Rashes
- Lumps
- Redness
- Dandruff
- Bumps
- Intense itching
- Excessive licking
- Excessive scratching
- Hair loss or bald patches
- Hot spots of inflamed skin (also known as acute moist dermatitis)
The Most Common Types of Dog Skin Conditions
The most common types of dog skin conditions include contact allergies; bacterial infections; fungal infections, and parasite allergies.
Environmental Allergies
A sudden onset of itching — particularly to the face, feet, chest, or stomach — can indicate an environmental allergy, triggered when your dog comes into contact with the allergen. Common allergens for dogs include pollen, mold spores, dust mites, shed skin cells, and insects such as fleas.
Food Allergies
Increased itching in the the face, feet, ears, or anus can be signs of a food allergy, one of the most common skin conditions in dogs. Dogs can develop food allergies from the type of protein consumed as part of their diet (e.g., beef, eggs, chicken, or dairy) although some dogs also suffer from allergies to wheat or even vegetables.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis, or inflamed hair follicles, often occurs when a dog is experiencing another skin problem such as mange or skin allergies. The hair follicles become infected by the underlying condition. Folliculitis appears in the form of sores, bumps, and scabs over the skin.
Ringworm
Ringworm is not actually a worm, but a fungus that is highly contagious to other animals and humans. The fungal infection appears as crusty, circular patches on the skin, often found on a dog’s head, paws, ears, and front legs. Your dog’s skin can also appear inflamed and red from where they have irritated the area by scratching. If you spot any of these symptoms, it's important that you immediately contact your vet, who can prescribe a topical treatment to kill the fungus and prevent it from spreading.
Yeast Infections
Warm areas on a dog’s body attract yeast infections, which love to grow in hard-to-reach spots like the ear canal, groin, perineum, and between the toes. With a yeast infection, the skin can thicken, causing your dog to itch and bite at the infected area. Yeast infections and similar skin diseases can lead to discolored skin. They also tend to smell unpleasant.
Ticks and Fleas
Ticks and fleas affect your dog’s skin by biting them and sucking their blood. Flea saliva enters the body, which can trigger an allergic response that irritates your pet’s skin, causing them to itch profusely. Severe parasite allergies in dogs are indicated by inflamed, red skin. Pets will often scratch the bite marks, and dogs may chew at their fur to relieve the itching. In extreme conditions, their fur can fall out in patches.
Mange
Mange is a severe skin condition caused by several species of mites that live on a dog’s hair and skin.
Dandruff
Like humans, dogs can get dandruff and dry skin. In some cases, this can be a sign of an underlying problem, such as an infection. Some dogs are prone to having dry skin, particularly in the winter. It may be affected by their diet — high-quality sources of protein and Omega-3 or Omega-6 fatty acids can all help keep the coat healthy.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own cells. Open, crusty skin sores which take a long time to heal can indicate an immune disorder. These will often be seen around the nose, eyes, and paws.
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