Do Dogs Scratch When They Don’t Have Fleas?

Do Dog’s Scratch When They Don’t Have Fleas?

Your dog is going to scratch himself when he has an itch. If your dog is constantly scratching, you might be wondering if the problem is an acute case of fleas. Unfortunately, fleas are only one of the many reasons why your dog has an itch that won’t go away. Green Pest Services is dedicated to helping you keep your friend safe. Allergies: Sometimes your furry friend can have food or environmental allergies. If you have switched food lately, that could be the problem. Dogs can also develop skin allergies from soaps and other hygiene products. Discomfort and Pain: Sometimes your dog can get a splinter or thorn stuck in its skin. If you notice he is constantly scratching, licking, or chewing the same spot it is time to take a closer look. If you find the edge of thorn or splinter pull it out and make certain you cleanse the area to reduce the risk of infection. Parasites: There are more parasites than just fleas. When you are inspecting the problem area on your dog, make certain you check for ticks. If you find a tick, grab a pair of tweezers and grab the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible. Do not grab the body of the tick; doing so can squeeze bacteria from the tick into your pet. Another form of parasite is mites, you will not be able to see mites, but their feeding will often produce a rash. The same can be said for fleas, they are small and difficult to see. You can however look for their signs. Fleas will leave small black specks that look a lot like pepper. These specks are flea feces. Take a wet paper towel and touch the specks. If the spots turn your paper towel a bloody red, there is a very high chance that your dog has fleas.