Westcoast Veterinary Hospital/Naples Safari Animal Hospital & Pet Resort
The Itchy Pet
While not necessarily life threatening, excessive licking, chewing and scratching can make a pet’s (& the
owner’s) life less than ideal. Understanding the causes and treatments of itchy (pruritic) skin will help
make both you and your pet as comfortable as possible. There are 3 common reasons that your pet may
be itchy:
1. Ectoparasites include fleas and scabies mites. Fleas are by far the most common cause of the pet’s
itchy skin, and Florida is the flea capitol of the country. Although flea infestations will cause any pet to
scratch, many animals are allergic to flea saliva and become hypersensitive to only a few bites.
Therefore, flea treatment should be initiated for any itchy pet, whether or not fleas are noted. Scabies
mites burrow under the skin and cause severe pruritis. The mites can sometimes be detected by a skin
scrape, but if suspected, are usually treated empirically to rule out this potential cause for itching.
2. Allergies occur when the body’s immune system over reacts to a harmless substance and recognizes it
as something to be attacked, causing severe irritation. Allergies are divided into contact/airborne
allergies (atopy) and food intolerance reactions. Chewing at the feet, recurrent ear infections and itchy
armpit and groin areas are common symptoms in both types of allergies. Atopy usually develops in
animals in the 1-4 year age range and, unfortunately, gets worse with time. Common allergens include
pollens, dander, grasses, trees, dust mites and molds – all very common in this area. Allergens are
inhaled & absorbed by contact through the skin. Unlike humans who are prone to develop respiratory
irritation, pets develop itchy skin. Inhalant allergies generally are worse during certain times of the year,
but may become year round in Florida. Food intolerance involves a reaction to any component in the diet.
Many people falsely believe that food allergies require a recent diet change, but the opposite is true, most
animals have been eating the offending ingredient for long periods of time with no trouble. Pets with
food allergies may show irritation around the anal area as well as soft stool. Food allergies are not
usually seasonal*
3. Secondary infections can occur any time the skin barrier is compromised and are often found
accompanying any of the above mentioned causes of itchiness. Bacterial and yeast infections are itchy in
themselves & must be treated along with their initiating factors to successfully manage the itch problem.
*The above causes are not mutually exclusive; it is apparent that some breeds or individuals may be more
prone to itchiness and have a low itch threshold. These pets may have combinations off all 3 types of
sensitivities, and while they may be tolerant of 1 type of offender , any additional offenders may send
them over the “itch edge”, therefore multiple treatment modalities may be required for maximum control.
Lesli R. Reiff, DVM