Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

Why is my German Shepherd scratching, chewing, and losing hair?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | neutered | 11 months and 22 days old | 90 lbs

Hi! I have a 1 year old GSD named Memphis. He is on monthly oral flea and heartworm medication. He is the only pet in the house. Within the past week, he has been scratching excessively. In his inner front legs, he has been chewing and it seems the hair is thinning out. You can see the pink skin on his inner front legs, curve of his back legs and some on his chest. I have checked his ears and I do not see anything in them. I checked for bugs under the fur and see none. Please help! :(

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 18th, 2019

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Memphia. Since he is only monthly flea treatments, then I suspect another cause of this scratching such as allergies. From the pictures, it appears he is really digging at himself, and has done some damage to his skin. Due to this, he needs to see a vet. The vet can diagnose what is causing this issues, and can treat him. I'd take him into a vet today or tomorrow. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My name is Kyle and I own a German Shepherd named Sasha. Over the past month, the skin on her lower back (where her back meets her tail) has been turning grey and scaley and losing hair. Her tail is also losing hair. When I touch her tail, she moves
Hello and welcome to Boop by Petco. There are a few things that could be going on with Sasha, but I would start by making sure she doesn't have fleas. This is a common area for fleas to collect and bite, which can make her itchy. Try treating for fleas, and if that doesn't work they start looking for other causes including hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, infected anal glands, etc. Also, they can sometimes get a 'hot spot' or a patch of skin infection, where they have been chewing because of the moisture and bacteria in their saliva, so you may need to treat a secondary skin infection as well. Best of luck with Sasha.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have 2yrs old male german shepherd dog. He is suffering from skin problem from many time. I had tried many things visited vet but nothing will change. I think he has staph infection or may b some fungal infection. He starts licking scratching his s
Marshal needs to have this area shaved and scrubbed. Depending on what it looks like after would depend on if just antibiotics are needed and maybe a biopsy if the medications have not worked in the past. I would recommend a visit to another veterinarian. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is losing his hair, he's a golden retriever. He keeps on scratching at munching his skin because of itch.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. Other possibilities include something like mange for example. 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
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
Hi I have a 6 month old Shar Pei/Sheperd mix named Behr. He has a heart shaped patch of missing hair on his right side. It's not completely bald but you can see the undercoat clearly. He has been scratching a lot and he even bites at his hind/knee ar
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
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Why does BoDuke scratch and chew on himself all the time
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is likely from allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. 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 environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Chewing at the fur around her tail. When she was a puppy her vet told us it is common for G. Shepards, especially if they are stressing about something & to watch her. My boyfriend her main owner is currently in bootcamp for the military so Im assumi
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is most likely due to allergies, most likely due to fleas given the location. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. 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 environmental allergi
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a female German Shepard and she’s biting out her hair in some spots. I’ve treated her for flees and dry skin
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. What you are describing could be due to allergies, skin infection or stress related changes. I would recommend using a shampoo such as Douxo PS chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly. I would also recommend using essential 6 spot on by dermoscent, which can be found online easily. Benadryl can be used in cases like this to help relieve itching and the most commonly used dose that most veterinarians will recommend is 1 mg per 1 pound of body weight every 12 hours. If the symptoms persist and worsen I would suggest having your veterinarian examined foxy so that additional testing can be performed and the most appropriate treatment can be recommended. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or concerns. I'm also available via consultation if needed
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Please help!! My husband and I took our dogs on a road trip from N.C. to C.A. and back. We started to notice our GSD started to bite and scratch so much to the point where he is balding. We took action in our own hands, we bought him flea and tick pi
Place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent further licking or chewing. This may be enough to allow healing, but if the underlying cause is not treated then it may not help. Ideally, Ceaser should be examined by a veterinarian to diagnose infection (bacterial, fungal or parasites) or an allergy. Antibiotics may be needed if the skin is broken. If not, steroids and/or antihistamines may provide relief from the itch.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
My 14 weeks old puppy keeps scratching and small biting himself everywhere and is starting to have cuts wherever he scratches or bites. There is a cut on each arm and was a cut on shoulder and arm pit but now is gone. Would love some direction as wha
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Odin and for providing pictures, they are very helpful. Poor boy! This scratching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If he isn't up to date on his flea treatment, I can give you one for him. First, I would give him 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 his 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. If he is up to date on his flea treatment, I recommend taking him into the vet for an exam today or tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Good day, I bought a puppy for about a month now and the last owner didn't have the chance to give her deworming and vitamins. Anyhow, after 2 weeks on my possession, we noticed that dandruff and some of his hair comes off. I washed him everyday, pow
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. I'm sorry to hear the Grench is having these skin issues. He most likely has an infection with fleas and/or other mites such as Demodex, and also likely has a secondary bacterial infection causing his skin to be scaling and red. Topical flea and tick preventatives that are not purchased from a veterinarian are NOT safe or effective in preventing fleas. I recommend bringing Grench to your veterinarian would can do an exam and perform a skin scrape to see what types of infections are present. Grench would likely benefit from a medication such as Bravecto or Nexgard, which help treat and prevent flea and mite infestations. I hope this is helpful!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Prescription Shampoo for Dogs Dog Health & Wellness Prescription Flea & Tick Medicine for Dogs Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Treats & Chews Prescription Flea & Tick Medicine Prescription Dewormer for Dogs Flea & Tick Solutions for Dogs Prescription Allergy Medicine for Dogs VetriScience Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Sulfodene Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Espree Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief PetArmor Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief HEALERS Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Earthbath Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Fera Pets Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Remedy+Recovery Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Temaril-P Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored