Adopted a pitbull, 2 years old from shelter last week. He has been itchy at his mouth nonstop. When we came home today his eye was red with a little bump. Not sure if it was from excessive scratching but I'm worried there are no clear signs of irritation other then red eye on one side and red skin near his mouth. Pet's info: Dog | Pit Bull Terrier | Male | neutered | 45 lbs

Is Your Pitbull's Itchy Mouth & Red Eye Allergies or Fleas?

Hello! Thanks for taking care of my question. My 4 years old pitbull has this red brownish marks on his face. Is this a sign of food allergies or something else to be concerned ? Thanks a lot! Pictures attached.

This 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 Boom 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

Good morning , my name is Ana and I’m the owner of Luna, my 5 month little pit bull. I think she might either have fleas or she might be allergic to something. She scratches and grooms herself a lot, she also shivers a lot! I been told is normal but

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 her with a high quality flea treatment such as advantage spot on, if it doesn't help - take her 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 3 month old blue pit has small red bumps all over her rear-end and legs. Ruled out the flea collar I got her. I'm possibly thinking she's allergic to fleas.

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 (advocate or advantage), 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). 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 10 month old pit mix is scratching herself a lot more recently. I've checked her coat for signs of fleas and I haven't seen anything. Is this her normal self grooming or could it be something else?

Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her 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

My pitbull had a rash that spread from his chest to his stomach and groin area. It doesn't seem to be causing him any pain and he doesn't itch or bite at the affected area.

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). 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

Hi there! Our dog, Trooper has had this red patch on the side of his mouth for about 2/3 months. It has not changed much in size, it does not bleed or ooze, but it does seem to itch sometimes. There has a been a time or two that he has scratched it a

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

My pitbull is constantly sctraches and chews herself until shes bleeding... Ive swtiched her dog food to a all natural grain food.. Showered her and put flea medicine on her yet she continues to scratch and chew herself til she is bleeding... She sou

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

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I have a blue merle pit. He is 1.5 years old. His his skin is oily and flaky also his skin is really red and he scratches a lot also his hair is really thin falling out and dull. Usually he is active but today he's just laying around what should I do

Pits are prone to allergic skin disease, and everything you describe can be symptomatic of this condition. Lex may benefit from a prescription allergy diet trial on something like Hills z/d fed exclusively for 9-10 weeks. He may need to be on allergy medication like apoquel to help stop the itching, and if he has a secondary bacterial or fungal/yeast infection in his skin, this needs to be addressed as well. See your vet for a skin allergy workup and proper medications. Hope that helps!

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

So I have a American pitbull and he isn’t much of an outside dog even though when I take him out to walk which is like 2x a month because I get worried that he might catch something. Since he is a pitbull and they are very sensitive. He has acne on

Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is likely allergies because of the multifocal nature of the lesions and the appearance. Generally allergies are broken down into 3 big categories: flea allergy (dogs can still get fleas even if they do not go outside much), food allergy and environmental allergies. This is not necessarily life threatening but it is a matter of quality of life so working up is recommended. 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 environmen

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My Red Nose Pitbull has red spots on her skin and hair loss. She itches herself a lot. Can you please help me with a diagnosis.

Itchiness and red spots 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 Grace with a high quality flea treatment such as advantage spot on, if it doesn't help - take her 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

My pitbull has an itchy mouth and red eye. Is it allergies or fleas?

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My pitbull has an itchy mouth and red eye. Is it allergies or fleas?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Related Questions

Hello! Thanks for taking care of my question. My 4 years old pitbull has this red brownish marks on his face. Is this a sign of food allergies or something else to be concerned ? Thanks a lot! Pictures attached.

Good morning , my name is Ana and I’m the owner of Luna, my 5 month little pit bull. I think she might either have fleas or she might be allergic to something. She scratches and grooms herself a lot, she also shivers a lot! I been told is normal but

My 3 month old blue pit has small red bumps all over her rear-end and legs. Ruled out the flea collar I got her. I'm possibly thinking she's allergic to fleas.

My 10 month old pit mix is scratching herself a lot more recently. I've checked her coat for signs of fleas and I haven't seen anything. Is this her normal self grooming or could it be something else?

My pitbull had a rash that spread from his chest to his stomach and groin area. It doesn't seem to be causing him any pain and he doesn't itch or bite at the affected area.

Hi there! Our dog, Trooper has had this red patch on the side of his mouth for about 2/3 months. It has not changed much in size, it does not bleed or ooze, but it does seem to itch sometimes. There has a been a time or two that he has scratched it a

My pitbull is constantly sctraches and chews herself until shes bleeding... Ive swtiched her dog food to a all natural grain food.. Showered her and put flea medicine on her yet she continues to scratch and chew herself til she is bleeding... She sou

I have a blue merle pit. He is 1.5 years old. His his skin is oily and flaky also his skin is really red and he scratches a lot also his hair is really thin falling out and dull. Usually he is active but today he's just laying around what should I do

So I have a American pitbull and he isn’t much of an outside dog even though when I take him out to walk which is like 2x a month because I get worried that he might catch something. Since he is a pitbull and they are very sensitive. He has acne on

My Red Nose Pitbull has red spots on her skin and hair loss. She itches herself a lot. Can you please help me with a diagnosis.

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