Could fleas be causing my puppy to scratch and lick his back and legs?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Male | neutered | 10 lbs
Our puppy is scratching/licking on back and leg areas since we have a new little aussie. In the meantime, our 18 yr old schnauzer has passed away. We were advised to give him 1 benedryl prn. Your suggestion?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 6th, 2017
I would be concerned about fleas given the location of his scratching. If he is not on flea prevention I would recommend starting him on it and seeing if that helps. Benadryl works for very mild itching but if he's very itchy he may need to see your vet for stronger medication. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on October 3rd, 2017
It is pretty common for young puppies to scratch more often than older dogs, and it doesn't necessarily mean they have an allergy. If he has been checked recently for fleas and his ears have been examined you could ask your veterinarian if a fish oil supplement might be okay to try. I also sometimes recommend trying an antihistamine for mild cases of allergies although they may not be very effective. A food allergy is diagnosed by starting a hypoallergenic diet trial with a therapeutic diet that would be available through your veterinarian. Contact your vet to see what they might recommend as a first step.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 8 month old puppy, and he is licking and scratching between legs from couple days ago. That spot is so red right now. I think it is flea because my son said he might see it on puppy's body. I don't know what to do. I gave him bath yesterday,
Even though a picture would help to understand better the underlying cause, this is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 4 month old puppy has been scratching himself whenever he’s sitting alone ( either bitting his leg or scratching his body or under his ear ) . I’ve got him checked by my vets and he doesn’t have any ticks or fleas . Is that allergy ? If yes then w
It is pretty common for young puppies to scratch more often than older dogs, and it doesn't necessarily mean they have an allergy. If he has been checked recently for fleas and his ears have been examined you could ask your veterinarian if a fish oil supplement might be okay to try. I also sometimes recommend trying an antihistamine for mild cases of allergies although they may not be very effective. A food allergy is diagnosed by starting a hypoallergenic diet trial with a therapeutic diet that would be available through your veterinarian. Contact your vet to see what they might recommend as a first step.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Scratching biting whining. Bathes consist of bloody wash and rinse till clear. Butt and back affected . Lasts 1 day then starts all over again. He gets loud. Don't won't to wash everyday . Use flea and tick shampoo. This is 1st year that he has d
Poor Puppy! It sounds like he's having some serious skin problems. The most common cause of excessive itching with redness, hair loss, and bleeding on the lower back and rear end is a flea allergy - so if Puppy isn't already on a good quality flea control medication like Nexgard, Bravecto, or Trifexis/Comfortis, this is the first thing I would suggest. Flea and tick shampoo is not an effective way to control fleas in my experience, especially in a dog who is allergic to them. If you're positive that he doesn't have fleas, other possible causes of this problem would include an allergy to something in the environment, food allergies, a bacterial or fungal skin infection, or skin mites (mange). In that case, I would recommend taking him to the vet for an exam as soon as you are able to - he/she can do some simple skin tests to help determine what is causing the problem and get him started on appropriate medication to treat it.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is licking and biting his leg in one spot and it doesn’t seem to be hurting him but now the hair around the area is gone. Do you think it could be an allergy thing and if so can I give him Benadryl until I can get to a vet? He is about 65 lbs.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could certainly be allergies. In reality, Benadryl probably would not help much in this case. Medications to decrease the itch that could help him include prednisone or a medication called Apoquel. The possible secondary infection would have to be treated as well. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and ch
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My new puppy is itching a lot. I believe it to be allergies. He doesn't at night or in the kennel but when laying around by himself I see him constantly biting and licking all over. He does not have flees. So it's probably either dry skin or allergie
I agree with you, this could be allergies though with him being a puppy, other infectious causes such mange are also possible. I would recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian to make sure it is not something like that that needs to be treated. Also, if he has been biting and licking at it there is a good possibility that there is a secondary infection that would be beneficial to treat as that is usually a big component causing the itch.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Ear flapping/scratching and paw licking till stained. No bumps or rashes or scabs. No intense/constant scratching. Took dog to vet and given MalAcetic Otic for ears for infection and revolution in case of scabies. Revolution given on Friday and today
This sounds very potential for allergies. It could be food or environmental allergies. If the licking and itching doesn’t start to improve then I would talk to your vet about starting a food trial and getting him on some allergy medicines like apoquel. You could also try Benadryl twice a day to see if This helps. I have included a link below for more information on Benadryl. Scabies is USUALLY extremely itchy. Also if the ears are not improving, he may need a stronger antifungal or antibiotic for the ears if he has an infection. I hope this helps! https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Soft coated wheaten terrier mix started itching. Shes on a flea tick and heartworm prevention & i check her so its not that. But in two specific spot on her back i see this. What could it be? Shes 34 pounds and i gave her 1 25 mg benadryl 6 hours
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. This still may be a skin allergy but Benadryl sometimes does not work. I would recommend using a shampoo such as Douxo PS Chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolve. I would also recommend using products such as welactin omega 3 fish oil, essential 6 spot on by dermoscent and malacetic conditioning spray. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. All of these product recommendations can be found online. If the problem becomes worse, I would recommend having your veterinarian examine Sofie.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Veb chews on his legs and feet occasionally, sometimes scratches here or there. 1. How do we know how much gnawing or scratching is too much, as in an allergic reaction? He does not have any signs of allergies, stool is normal and skin does not ap
If Jeb is a puppy, some itching/scratching can be normal, we often attribute this to growing skin. If the skin is becoming red or raw, there is loss of hair, or the hair is becoming discolored or there are any crusts/dandruff/pimple like lesions these can be signs of an issue such as allergies and would necessitate a visit to the vet. Giving a fatty acid supplement can help keep the skin moisturized and can decrease inflammation and itching. Products are available at your vet's office, at most pet stores, or online (such as the product Welactin). Continued licking of one specific spot on the body, such as the top of the foot/wrist area, can sometimes be seen with compulsive behavior so if it is just one specific spot then a visit to the vet to discuss this is warranted.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is itching like crazy!! I changed his food to Nutro lamb and rice formula, have continued with his fish oil pills in his food, and give him 2 Benadryl in the morning and 2 at night. He itches his paws and pads when he is laying down and his th
That is a great start! I would consider trying a different flea medication if it doesn't clear up soon and consider treating your house with Flea Busters powder. At his age I would also consider a thyroid panel and/or prescription medications if it does not resolve with what you are currently doing. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
my puppy is been scratching all his body even his nails, he’s been doing it desperately it can be a reaction of something
This scratching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If Rex isn't up to date on his flea treatment, I can give you one for him. This program is safe for puppies at least seven weeks of age. First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. If he isn't up to date on his flea treatment, I recommend taking him into the vet for an exam today or tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appro
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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