Why is my puppy scratching constantly? What dog allergies cause it?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female | unspayed | 2 months and 29 days old | 5 lbs
What allergies could my dog have? I would like just a brief description of the possibilities. She is 3 months, 5lbs, a yorkie. Only goes outside to go to the bathroom. She scratches a lot, I've noticed. Even after being put on Trifexis.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on October 9th, 2017
Allergies can occur due to various factors, it could be something in the food, something outside in the environment or something that comes from inside the house (storage mites for example). it is usually very difficult, sometimes impossible to find the cause of the allergies.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on October 29th, 2018
Possibly, but dry skin isn't usually intensely itchy. Many causes of itching or overgrooming are caused by parasites, such as fleas. If Buddy isn't on a good quality monthly flea preventative, that is a good starting point. Other possible causes are anxiety, food allergies or other allergies, ear mites, bladder inflammation, etc. Here is a good article that discusses causes of overgrooming: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952646
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I cant work out why my puppy keep scratching, I gave her a quarter of a Telfast 60mg but it didn't work. Unsure if it's grass or carpet.
This is probably caused by an allergic reaction. first of all make sure you de-flea Tempie regularly every month with a high quality spot on (ex. Advantage) as fleas are by far the most common reason for these reactions. If the fleas are not the problem, it could be an allergic reaction to food or an environmental factor. this is more complicated to treat and will sometimes require medications such as Steroids, anti histamines or cyclosporin in order to stop the allergy.
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
My puppy has been scratching at himself a lot but i dont see any fleas. I was thinking it could be some type of allergies maybe but im not too sure. He hasnt slept well at night because he wakes out of his sleep to scratch and he whines a little as w
This might due to an allergy, although it could be more likely due to an infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment (on prescription given by your vet to avoid overdosage), 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
I currently have my pup on taste of the wild puppy food. He has been eating the roasted bison and venison flavor. It seems like he has always had a slight itch and is always scratching. I recently switched up the flavor to salmon and he is scratching
I am sorry to hear about your puppy! While food allergies are one possible cause of itching and rashes, there are also other possibilities, including fleas (even just one flea bite can make a hypersensitive dog break out and itch), mites, and allergies to airborne allergens like pollen, grass, trees, etc. I would recommend bringing your puppy to the vet for an exam to ensure that mites are not present (these are microscopic so you cannot see them) and to get him started on an effective flea preventative if he is not on one already. They can examine the skin and determine if prescription medication is needed or if a special shampoo would be adequate to treat him. You can consider starting him on a fatty acid supplement (sold at many pet stores and your vet's office) which can decrease itching and inflammation. You can ask your vet if they feel a trial of Benadryl (diphenhydramine) which is an antihistamine would be ok for your dog. You also may try a soothing shampoo and creme rins
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, I have a daschund rescue. He's about 7 years old, and 17lbs. My question is he itches a lot, constantly scratching, even after baths. I have not applied any flea medicine. Any suggestions? If flee medicine is the solution, any suggestions on whic
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 dog is scratching and licking constantly. We first thought a food allergy but have tried numerous brands of grain free (including the blue buffalo brand), I only bathe him monthly to avoid drying his skin out but wipe him down every night since he
Poor pup! It sounds like you are trying a lot to help him. He could have environmental allergies, fleas, or mites causing the itching. If he isn't up to date on his flea treatment, he will need a spot on treatment such as Advantage or Revolution. You will need to disinfect the environment as well. If he is up to date on his flea treatment, I recommend taking him into the vet for an exam. The vet can do blood tests and skin scrapings diagnose allergies or mites. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. I recommend taking him into the vet tomorrow during normal business hours.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi! May dog keep on scratching his self, he is a 2 Months old Pomeranian puppy. I went to a vet last sunday, since there was no obvious sign of ticks or fleas and due to may dogs fur it was hard to find. The vet has given my dog a medication for unti
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. Another possibility is mange for example. That is something that can be checked with a physical examination and some basic diagnostics. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. 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 check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check fo
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My yorkie terrier had a rash on his groin and chest. I have cleared the rash on his chest with triamcinolone cream and medicated shampoo. The rash on his groin is starting to clear up but he is still constantly scratching. I have used ACV mix to spra
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. 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 check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for envir
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, Good afternoon I have some concerns about my yorkie po who is 2 years an 8 month old. He has been itching his face area for a couple of months now. now it has started to spread through-out his face. When he scratches the areas, it gets red and
Scratching can be caused by various reasons such as fleas, mites ,fungal infection, bacterial infection and allergies. the first 4 needs to be ruled out before we start treating for allergies. in order to do that first de-flea King with a high quality flea treatment such as advantage spot on, if it doesn't help - take him to the vet in order to check for/treat the other possibilities. If everything is ruled out, then an allergy treatment can be started. Usually an hypoallergenic food is a good way to start together with anti histamines. if it doesn't help - the best solution is a medication called Apoquel which treats allergies with great success and without side effects.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My fifteen week old puppy is scratching his shoulders are back constantly . We got him from a farm where he was literally living in a barn . He had tape worm and was treaded for this four days ago . So he prob had fleas too at some point. He has a b
Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be 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. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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