Itching Isn’t Normal — It’s a Sign Something’s Not Right

I hear it all the time — “dogs scratch, it’s just what they do!” But here’s the thing: persistent itching isn’t normal. If your dog constantly scratches, biting, licking, or rubbing themselves, there’s a reason — and that reason deserves your attention.

As a Canine Health Specialist, I see dogs with itchy, sore skin almost daily. So, alongside this series of blogs, I am also starting an itchy dog group where you can get tailored advice and individual support.

Itchy skin is one of the most common issues we see in dogs, and it can seriously affect their comfort and quality of life. But before we can fix it, we must figure out what’s causing it. 

That’s where this series of blogs begins: identifying the most common culprits behind all that scratching.

It's also worth noting that itchy dogs are not always experiencing an allergy, and there are many reasons for it.

 Let’s break it down.

1. Allergies

Often the first suspected culprit, but allergies are not always the reason for your dog’s itching and scratching.  Dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things, and their bodies often react through the skin. 

Here are the main allergy types we see:

• Environmental Allergies: Think pollen, dust mites, mold spores, grasses — the usual suspects we associate with hay fever. But instead of sneezing, dogs often get itchy skin, inflamed paws, or ear infections.

  
  

• Food Allergies: Chicken and beef are two of the biggest triggers, followed closely by grains and dairy. A dog with a food sensitivity might scratch like mad, lick their paws constantly, or have recurring tummy issues.

  
  

• Contact Allergies: Some dogs are sensitive to cleaning products, certain fabrics, or even their shampoo. These are trickier to spot but definitely worth considering.

  
  

Whilst most owners will come to me believing their dog is itchy due to food allergies, I can honestly say that this is not always the case.

📚 Reference: VCA Animal Hospitals – Allergies in Dogs

2. Parasites: The Tiny Terrors

Fleas are the obvious ones, but they’re not the only issue. A single flea bite can cause flea allergy dermatitis, which makes dogs incredibly itchy, even if you can't spot any fleas at all.

Then there are mites and ticks, which can burrow into the skin and cause intense irritation, hair loss, or even secondary infections. Some mites, like those that cause mange, need vet treatment ASAP, so don’t overlook this one.

📚 Reference: American Kennel Club – Flea Allergy Dermatitis

3. Infections: Bacteria and Yeast Love Warm, Damp Skin

Once your dog starts scratching, their skin can become damaged, and that opens the door for bacteria or yeast to move in. This leads to hotspots, smelly skin, and even more itching. If your dog’s skin smells funky or feels greasy, or if they’ve got red patches or scabs, this might be what’s going on.

Yeast infections are far more common than you think, and this is a massive topic. I see so many dogs that have an untreated yeast infection. Yeast can cause things like ear infections, discoloration of the fur, as well as more noticeable hotspots.

📚 Reference: Cornell University – Canine Skin Infections

4. Dry Skin: The Silent Itch Trigger

Dry, flaky skin can make your dog feel super uncomfortable. It’s often worse in winter when the heating’s on and humidity drops, or if your dog isn’t getting enough essential fatty acids in their diet. Over-bathing or using harsh shampoos can also strip the skin of its natural oils.

This is so often overlooked, especially with raw fed dogs, as we feed a variety of foods, it can be missed, and we don’t always look at the balance. Essential fatty acids do so much, and we often believe fat is bad, which is not the case. Dogs need some fat.

📚 Reference: PetMD – Dry Skin in Dogs

Every Itch Has a Root Cause

Sometimes the cause of itchy skin in dogs is obvious, like fleas. Other times, it’s a combo of things — maybe a mild food allergy plus dry skin and seasonal pollen. That’s why it’s important to observe your dog closely and take notes on what you’re seeing. When does the itching happen? Are certain areas worse? Did anything change in their routine?

Download Your Itchy Dog Tracker Here

In the next post, we’ll be diving into how to spot the signs and patterns of itchy skin, so you can start narrowing things down and make real progress toward helping stop the itch.

Want help figuring out what’s behind your dog’s itch?

We’re here to support you. Pop into Storm’s Raw Emporium or drop us a message — we’ll help you decode the itch and find solutions that work for your dog.