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My puppy is itching, losing hair, and has dry, flaky skin. What's wrong?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | unneutered | 3 months and 12 days old | 80 lbs

My lab aged 3 months has more hair fall.. too much itching and biting himself and making wounds.. his skin is also dry and some dandruff like particles in his fur... what should i do ???What should i include in his diet to stop hurting himself?? Can u please suggest??? Thank you

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Kristin DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 6th, 2018

There are several potential causes for Arjun's itching. Fleas could be a cause, and even if you don't see fleas, even on tiny flea can be enough to cause itching. I recommend starting with a flea treatment to see if that helps. Mites can cause itching, and so can allergies. These can be allergies to food, or to something in the environment. There are prescription allergy medications that your veterinarian could give to Arjun. You could also try fish oil supplements to see if that helps. If he has scratched himself to the point he is bleeding and has wounds, these can get infected, and the bacterial infection itself can cause continued itchiness. In this case, antibiotics are necessary to get the infection under control so the skin can heal. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 12th, 2016

    The best remedy depends on the cause of Cara's itching. A common cause of itching in puppies is fleas. If she isn't up to date on her flea treatments, you will need to treat her for them. First, I would give her 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 her 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. Other causes of itching in puppies include allergies, ringworm, and mites. If Cara is up to date on her flea treatments, I would take her into the vet. 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 appropriate treatment.

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