Pet skin issues are more common than you think, and they often go unnoticed until they become severe.

Like other creatures, a dog’s body is also covered with the largest organ i.e. skin, that maximizes a chance of catching harmful germs and parasites easily and as a result it could transform into a serious problem later in the dog’s life.

In the first phase, the germs and parasites get initial contact with the fur, and slowly start to spread into skin and across the body. This causes problems like redness, excessive scratching and lumps. 

If you notice your pet is scratching his/her body more than normal, make sure to look for it, because if it gets untreated in time, it could possibly affect your pet’s health as well as your finances. 

What causes skin disease in dogs?

Pet experts reveal that there are various factors that contribute to skin problems. It depends on the lifestyle they’re getting and the environment where they spend their time. 

If they prefer to stay outside, play in the mud, and don’t get washed in time, the possibility of getting infected with parasites is high. Even nutrition can weaken a pet’s immune system due to irresponsible parenting of dogs, making them susceptible to skin infections and conditions. 

It’s on the owner’s hands to reduce the potential risk of skin issues, but before they must be aware of common dog skin problems caused by various germs and pets. That’s why we’re here to share some knowledge about parasites on pets.

Allergies 

Allergies are the top contributor to the skin problem in dogs. 

Like humans, pets can experience an allergic reaction with environmental allergens like pollens, grass, dust, and mold and other substances like food ingredients and even grooming products. That’s why it’s recommended to use quality products for better results.

Typically environmental allergies can be seasonal, especially if triggered by pollen or year-round if dust mites or mold are the cause. 

Some pets might have allergies to specific ingredients in their diet, such as dairy, chicken, or wheat, and may cause digestive upset, food allergies and lead to skin problems.

When they get exposed to them, it can cause a reaction of a dog’s body and release a chemical that triggers intense itching.

Symptoms of Allergies

1. Allergies often cause itching, especially on the face, paws, belly, and around the ears. Pets may scratch, lick, or chew the irritated area, sometimes causing hair loss or secondary skin infections

2. It can lead to red, inflamed skin, sometimes with hot spots (moist, irritated areas) due to excessive licking or scratching.

3. Persistent scratching and licking can lead to hair loss, often in patches, leaving the skin exposed and vulnerable to infection.

4. Environmental allergies can cause respiratory symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or watery eyes, although these symptoms are less common than skin-related ones.

5. Pets with food allergies may have digestive symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain.

Parasites

Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites are common on a pet’s skin.

They live on or inside a pet, feeding off their blood, skin, or nutrients and causing a range of health issues.

Internal parasites like worms, and external parasites, like fleas and ticks, are mostly seen. 

Symptoms of Parasites

1. Persistent scratching, especially near the neck, tail base, or ears, can indicate fleas, ticks, or mites.

2. Mites and fleas often cause localized hair loss, redness, or scabs. The skin may become thickened and inflamed in chronic cases.

3. Internal parasites can cause digestive issues, including diarrhea (sometimes bloody), vomiting, or a lack of appetite.

Bacterial Skin Infections

What happens when you scratch on any part of your body for more than 1 minute? A painful burn, later converted to a wound, Right?

This exactly happens to your dog if it scratches for long. 

If your dog has skin allergies, of course, it causes itching, and they tend to scratch on the same itchy area unusually. This causes a serious wound on their body.

And next?

Possibility of bacterial skin infection.

Here’s how.

Normally bacteria need to penetrate through the skin to affect the body, and with the help of a wound, it gets an easy path for doing so. This bacterial skin infection occurs when the bacteria is not part of normal skin, and as a result, the infected area gets red and swollen and often causes discomfort or pain to the pet. 

Hot Spots

Area covered with moist, red, inflamed skin which can be developed overnight, usually caused by an allergy, bite or infection. 

This common infection is developed due to an overreaction of the immune system, typically by excessive licking, chewing, or scratching at an itchy area. Not only this, if the coat remains wet after a bath, it can trap moisture against the skin, creating an ideal environment for germs to cause hotspots.

It can appear anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found in areas where pets can easily reach their tongues or paws, such as neck and head, hips and thighs.

Symptoms of Hot Spots

1. Hot spots are typically red and irritated. They often look raw and may be accompanied by hair loss in the affected area.
2. The area is often moist and may ooze clear or yellowish fluid.
3. There might be a slightly raised area and feel warm to the touch.
4. Pets often lick, bite or scratch the affected area.
5. Not treated timely can develop an unpleasant odor, or even damage the skin tissue.

Dry Skin

When the colder season comes in, skin dryness becomes common on animals as well as humans. 

It’s okay for humans because they tend to spend hundreds of rupees on cosmetics to prevent such dryness, but it’s not for a pets.

Dry skin can cause discomfort, and itchiness, sometimes leading to more serious skin issues if untreated on time. 

Unnaturally, if the frequency of a bath is high, the skin of a pet automatically gets dry. It happens due to a strip of the pet’s skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and flaky. That’s why it is essential to use pet-specific shampoos and avoid excessive washing.

Symptoms of dry skin

1. Dry skin often appears as white flakes, similar to dandruff, that are visible on the pet’s coat or bedding.
2. Pets tend to scratch, lick or bite at their skin more than usual.
3. Constant scratching can lead to redness, irritation, and sometimes minor wounds
4. Dry coat might feel rough to the touch.

Conclusion 

Skin problems of dogs might seem a small issue at first, but ignoring it, them can cause a lot of discomfort and even serious health troubles. By knowing what causes these problems and recognizing the symptoms early, you can take better care of your furry friend. Don’t wait if you notice something unusual, like too much scratching or redness. A quick visit to the vet can save your pet from a lot of pain and keep them comfortable. Healthy skin means a happy, playful pet, and that’s what every pet owner wants, right?

Also, regular grooming can minimize the potential risk of skin problems, preventing the risk of parasites. If you need some quality grooming tools, you can visit this link for amazing offers just for you and your healthy pets.