If you’ve ever experienced poison ivy or had an intensely itchy mosquito bite, you can empathize with the way an itchy pet feels when they’re forced to scratch themselves incessantly. Not only is excessive itching in pets super uncomfortable, but it can also lead to secondary problems such as skin infections that can perpetuate the itching.
While there are certainly things you can do to treat itching in cats and dogs, once you notice the excessive scratching, you can also take a proactive approach to avoid itching in pets that are predisposed.
Preventing Itchy Pets: Is It Possible?
You may not realize it, but you probably perform a number of methods to prevent scabies for your pet, such as administering a parasite preventative or continuing your pet’s grooming. But for many pets, itch prevention tactics are put in place after an episode of intense itching. For example, while you can’t necessarily prevent your pet from developing allergies, you may be looking for tactics to prevent another flare-up after you’ve watched your pet endure the itch of allergic dermatitis.
How to Help Prevent Itching in Dogs and Cats: 8 Methods to Try
To prevent itching in dogs and cats, consider the following tips.
Keep your pet on year-round parasite prevention
Flea infestations and flea allergy dermatitis are among the main causes of itching for both dogs and cats. Several other parasites, such as ticks, sarcoptic mites (scabies), or licecan also cause intense itching in pets.
Year-round parasite prevention is recommended for both dogs and cats. The geographic ranges and active months for parasites are expanding due to global warming, making fleas and ticks an increasingly widespread and year-round issue.
Options may include oral medications, topical medications, or collars. Your veterinarian will help you choose the best options for your pet.
Try skin and coat supplements
Skin and coat supplements can help promote a healthy skin barrier, reducing itching. One supplement that is often recommended for dogs and cats with skin problems is omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are an important part of the structure of healthy cells. Although they are not particularly useful for acute flare-ups of itching, they can become part of the management strategy for pets with environmental allergies and several other skin conditions.
You should always talk to your veterinarian before adding a supplement to your pet’s daily diet. Make sure the skin and coat you choose is suitable for your dog or cat. Dosages may vary between species.
Feed a prescription diet for pets with allergies
For pets with food allergiesPrescription diets are often the first line of defense in preventing flare-ups. These diets come in the form of hydrolyzed protein dietsnew protein diets, or diets with limited ingredients. Allergy diets either have the proteins broken down into smaller, more digestible forms, or they do not contain the ingredients to which the pet is allergic.
Most allergy diets require a veterinary prescription to purchase. Your veterinarian can help you determine if you pet has food allergies and discuss trying a cat or dog food to prevent itchy skin.
Continue with grooming
Your long-haired cat or thick dog might require daily brushing. Fur matting can lead to skin inflammation, itching and pain. By brushing your pet’s fur and preventing the development of mats, you help avoid the itchiness and discomfort associated with mats. Regular grooming can also help you identify problems that could be causing itching, such as a flea infestation or the presence of ticks.
Consider medicated shampoos
Pets with specific skin conditions can benefit from medicated baths. For example, pets with seborrhea may benefit from an anti-seborrhoeic shampoo. Avena shampoo can be soothing for pets with frequently irritated skin.
Cats notoriously dislike baths. Talk to your vet if you are considering bathing your cat to see if it would be beneficial.
Try acupuncture for pets
Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). There is some evidence that acupuncture can help prevent allergies and infections through its effects on the immune system. Although acupuncture is not often used as a sole method for itch prevention and is not offered by most conventional veterinarians, this is a consideration for families interested in TCVM.
Consider how to manage the home environment to reduce allergens
Environmental allergies are common in dogs and cats. Indoor allergens, such as dust mites, can contribute to your pet’s allergies. You can help reduce allergens in the home by frequent vacuuming (daily), regular air filter replacement (every one to two months), and frequent washing of bedding and blankets (weekly).
Manage your pet’s exposure to plants outdoors
Outdoor plants (specifically pollens) can contribute to pet allergies and itchy skin. Obviously, you can’t completely control the outdoors, but there are steps you can take to reduce potential exposure. If you know what plants trigger your pet’s allergies, especially if it’s a contact allergy, you can eliminate the plant from your yard. If your pet is allergic to specific pollens, consider keeping the windows of your home closed when that plant’s pollen activity is high. You could also keep your pet inside after mowing the lawn. Allergy shots may also be a good idea for pets with allergies to outdoor plants.
What to Do If Your Cat or Dog Itches
Sometimes, even your best efforts may not completely get rid of your dog or cat’s itching. If you notice that your pet is itching a lot, there are medical interventions that your veterinarian can prescribe to help give your pet some relief. Contact your vet for advice on how to help stop your dog itching or yours itching of a cat.
When you prepare to see your veterinarian, you want to make sure you are prepared to answer the following questions:
- Do you notice anything besides itching?
- Are there specific parts of your pet’s body that seem particularly itchy?
- How long have you noticed these symptoms?
- What parasite prevention is your pet on, and when did they last get their prevention?
- What do you feed your pet? Have there been any recent changes to their diet?
- Have you changed anything in your home, like carpet cleaner or detergent?
With proactive plans, you can reduce your dog or cat’s itching! But even if itching still occurs, don’t despair – your vet will be happy to help your pet with their itching.