Dog Skin Problems: How to Identify and Manage Common Skin Conditions

Are dog skin problems seasonal?

The short answer is yes and no! But this can also point to the underlying cause. Some dogs with allergies to things like plants may have very marked seasonal flares, like humans with hayfever. Dogs with allergies to food or things like dust mites may itch all year round. Fleas also tend to spike in summer, but with centrally heated houses, fleas can also be a year-round problem.

How are dog skin problems diagnosed?

Your vet will typically use a logical, step-wise approach to get to the bottom of your dog’s skin issues. This can take time, so be patient and try to help your vet as best you can by giving a thorough history and following their advice. The diagnostic process will involve one or more of these:

• Clinical exam to look at lesion location, character and size and to check for fleas and other visible parasites.
• Skin scrapes, swabs, smears and hair samples to check for microscopic parasites, bacteria and fungal infections.
• Food elimination trial for food allergy. This may last up to 12 weeks, as you monitor for improvement in skin symptoms.
• Blood tests or intradermal skin testing for environmental allergies.

How are dog skin problems managed?

This will very much depend on the underlying cause. Some unfortunate dogs have more than one problem.

1. Break the itch-scratch cycle and treat infection. Your vet may prescribe ointments, shampoos, antibiotics, antifungals or anti-inflammatory drugs to get the skin under control and give your dog (and you!) some relief from the itching.
2. In addition to managing clinical signs, fleas and flea allergies can usually be controlled by using an appropriate flea preventative and treating your house for fleas as needed.
3. Mites can be difficult to get rid of depending on the level of infestation and type of mite. Therapies can include topical (spot-on) or injectable treatments or medicated shampoos.
4. Atopy can be tricky to manage if you can’t limit exposure to the offending allergens. Frequent vacuuming can help with dust mites, but many dogs are sensitive to multiple allergens. Desensitisation or hyposensitisation can make a big difference to many dogs. This is where a tailor-made regime is developed for your individual dog. Over a period of time, your dog will receive injections containing very small levels of allergens. The allergen dose is slowly increased over time and can help desensitise your dog (or make them no longer react to or have minimal reactions) to the items they are allergic to. Some dogs seem to do better than others, but it’s definitely worth trying. Your vet may also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs or drugs to reduce the immune reaction causing the itching.
   
   Your vet may also recommend a dietetic pet food to help restore the skin barrier and improve general skin health (see below).

5. Food allergies can be controlled by avoiding the food your dog is allergic to. Your vet will usually offer one of the following (also used for the food elimination trial):

   1. A hydrolysed protein diet. This is where the protein source is broken down into fragments that are too small for the immune system to recognise them.
   2. A novel protein diet. This is a food that contains a protein source your dog has not had before, such as duck, venison or insect protein.

Food for long-term management of dog skin disease

As mentioned above in the atopy section, there are foods that are formulated to promote skin health and function. These foods have good quality protein, high omega fatty acids, antioxidants and special ingredients to restore the skin barrier function, and added vitamins and minerals that are vital for skin health. Dogs with a wide variety of skin diseases can benefit from these diets, as an aid to overall management. Ask your vet to recommend one that would best suit your dog.

If you think your dog has a skin problem, get help from your vet as soon as possible. This will reduce the likelihood of self-trauma (from repeated scratching) and secondary infections and make the diagnostic process much easier for your vet.

While skin problems in dogs can be a pain for all concerned, with modern medicine and good nutrition, many dogs with skin problems can lead happy, itch-free lives.

Dog skin problem FAQs

What are the most common dog skin problems? 

Fleas, mites, allergies (atopy and food), bacterial and fungal infections.

Why is my dog scratching so much but has no fleas? 

Fleas spend most of their time in the soft furnishings of your house, so your dog may have fleas even if you don’t see them. Always rule out fleas, as they are so commonly involved. Seek veterinary advice to get a diagnosis.

What is the best food for dogs with skin allergies? 

This will depend on whether your dog needs an elimination diet for a food allergy or a food formulated to boost skin function such as for atopy. Speak to your vet about the right food for your individual dog.

How do I treat dry skin in dogs at home? 

It’s always best to avoid trying home remedies and instead seek veterinary advice. If you try and fix things at home, you could delay and complicate diagnosis and cause your dog more irritation and discomfort.

Reviewed by Karen Shenoy, DVM.