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Why is my dog scratching and biting herself if she has no fleas?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 9 months and 10 days old | 56 lbs

Our dog has no fleas but is constantly scratching, biting and digging at herself. We've switched her to a grain free food. Not sure why this is happening but it's sad to see. Any other suggestions on what can be done?

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on May 11th, 2018

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 Dyna 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.

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    Answered By Emily, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 2nd, 2017

    Hello Itching in dogs can because by variety of allergies. The top three allergies in dogs are fleas, food, environmental. However having a skin infection can also be itchy so it's difficult to say did it allergy come first causing itching or did a skin infection causing your pet to itch. For more information that could be specific to her itching, you could submit a consult with further history particularly if her itching is worst anytime of the year, after being outdoors, as well as a diet and medication history. Alternatively you could have her examined by a veterinarian who can assess if there's an active skin infection and if so does it's pattern looks similar to an allergy.

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