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My dog won't stop scratching and chewing his tail raw. What can I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | neutered | 6 years and 2 months old | 90 lbs

My dog has in the past month started to scratch and bite his backside, and now he is chewing his tail raw. He has had flea meds and given a bath and it got worse. I alao changed his food and used hot spot spray that seems to work for a few days but then he moves to a new spot to bite at. Please help. In photo he just did today while i was at work

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 1st, 2018

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Barrett so that the most appropriate treatment recommendations can be made. It sounds as though he is dealing with severe allergies and needs relief. There are multiple medications that can help with allergies. You should also consider the below products to aid in relieving the discomfort associated with a potential allergy: 1. Douxo PS Calm shampoo (found online) 2. Welactin omega 3 fish oil capsules (found online or at your local Petco) 3. Pramosoothe spray (can be found online) I hope these help! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

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    Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 2nd, 2018

    Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Shadow may have an allergy causing the itching. I would recommend using the below following products to see if they help relieve the itching. If the symptoms persist, I would recommend switching to a different food to see if a diet change relieves the allergies. I would recommend Science Diet or Royal Canin for a new diet if you end up doing a food trial. 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! 1. Welactin omega 3 fish oil capsules for dogs 2. Douxo PS Calm shampoo and bathe twice weekly 3. Essential 6 spot on by Dermoscent ***all of the above products can be found online quite easily***

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    36Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 12th, 2018

    Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. This could be allergies. I would recommend the below products and see if these help. These products can all be found online quite easily. If there is no improvement or the allergies worsen, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Bear so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. 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. 1. Welactin omega 3 fish oil 2. Douxo PS Calm shampoo and bathe twice weekly 3. Essential 6 spot on by Dermoscent 4. Malacetic conditioning spray and apply to affected areas twice daily until resolved.

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