German Shepherds are our loving and adorable pets and perfectly represent what every dog should be. But as we have emphasized in our subsequent posts, owning a German Shepherd is no Child’s play and may sometimes leave you with problems that seem too difficult to solve.
One very popular problem with German Shepherds has to do with their skin. We have seen that 50% of German Shepherd miscarriage is often a result of stress caused by constant itching problems of the dog. The German Shepherd’s skin often gets irritated for several reasons, which will be discussed in this post. But the question is, what steps could be taken to control or completely stop a German Shepherd’s itching problem?
So to stop German Shepherds from itching, the first step is to identify the cause of the itching. If the cause is fleas, ticks, or other parasites, use appropriate flea and tick preventatives and grooming products to keep them away. If the cause is allergies, you should consult a veterinarian to identify the allergen and determine the best treatment.
Aside from parasitic infestation, what other reasons could cause a German Shepherd to itch? If your German Shepherd’s Itching results from Parasitic infestation, how could it be controlled? And what are some other ways to ensure your German Shepherd’s skin is healthy and with fluffy fur? This and more will be discussed in this post.
FOUR REASONS WHY YOUR GERMAN SHEPHERD MIGHT BE ITCHING.
1. Allergies:
Allergies can cause a German Shepherd to itch due to the body’s reaction to a foreign substance. Allergens such as pollens, moulds, dust mites, and certain foods can cause the skin to become inflamed and itchy.
When this happens, the body releases histamines, which can cause itching, redness, and swelling.
The skin can become irritated and raw from excessive scratching in severe cases. So to help prevent itching caused by allergies, a veterinarian should be consulted to identify the allergen and determine the best treatment.
Regular bathing with a hypoallergenic shampoo can also help keep the skin clean and soothed.
2. Parasites
Parasitic infestations can cause serious itching in German Shepherds. Fleas and ticks can bite and irritate the skin, leading to itching. In addition, other parasites, such as mites and worms, can infest and irritate the skin.
The parasitic infestation can be so severe that it could leave your dog emaciated and super concept. It could also make it difficult for your dog to sleep at night and cause restlessness.
Symptoms of a parasitic infestation include excessive scratching, scabs, hair loss, and most times, the physical presence of the parasites on offers and couches, basically, everywhere your German Shepherd relaxes.
So to help prevent parasitic infestations, use flea and tick preventatives and grooming products as a veterinarian recommends. Regular bathing with a hypoallergenic shampoo can also help keep the skin clean and soothed.
3. Dry Skin
A German Shepherd’s Dry Skin can cause itching due to the lack of natural oils in their skin. German Shepherds have double-coated fur, which can lead to excessive shedding and dry skin. Symptoms of dry skin include itching, flaking, and redness.
To help prevent dry skin, brushing your German Shepherd regularly and using moisturizing shampoos is important. Additionally, feeding your dog a balanced diet of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and other vitamins and minerals can help keep their skin healthy and reduce itching.
Finally, ensure you keep your German Shepherd’s coat clean and debris-free by bathing them regularly and using hypoallergenic shampoos.
4. Stress:
Stress can cause German Shepherds to itch due to the body’s response to physical and emotional stress. When a dog experiences stress, their bodies produce stress hormones, which can cause their skin to become inflamed and itchy.
Additionally, when stressed, some dogs scratch or bite their skin, leading to further irritation and itching. So to help prevent itching caused by stress, it is important to identify the source of the stress and work to reduce it.
This can include giving your German Shepherd plenty of exercises, mental stimulation, and affection. Additionally, providing a consistent routine and avoiding drastic changes can help reduce stress and keep them happy and healthy. If the itching persists, it is important to consult a veterinarian to determine the best course of treatment.
TACKLING YOUR GERMAN SHEPHERDS ITCHING LIKE A PRO
All four main causes of German Shepherds Itching are often linked together. For example, if your German Shepherd is suffering from a Parasitic infestation, it could greatly affect your dog’s stress levels and could, in the long run, lead to dry skin and Skin allergies in your German Shepherd. This means that if you can treat one of the problems, you will likely solve the problem.
Well, I would like you to investigate whether or not your dog’s itch results from a parasitic infestation. If yes is the answer, here are a few things you should do now to help solve the problem.
- The first thing to do is to identify the Parasite causing your dog to itch and scratch excessively. If it results from a warm, we suggest changing your dog’s diet before doing anything else. A German Shepherd’s diet can affect how it deals with parasites. Among the food types you should stop is the feeding of raw bones.
- If the Parasite is more external, you could easily control this manually, involving sprays, Dog powder, and sometimes a flee collar, depending on the problem’s seriousness. You could also solve this issue by getting your vet to recommend a drug which would take care of the issue by contaminating the German Shepherd’s blood or causing the dog’s skin to release a smell hottie to the parasites. This type of injection will harm the Parasite but have good health benefits for your dog.
- Another good way to control your dog’s itching problem is through grooming. Regular washing and combing of your dog using a good shampoo and the recommended comb could help greatly control any itching effects caused by dry skin.
- If your dog’s itching is a result of stress or depression and not because of parasites, Dry Skin, or Allergies, it would be best you get your vet involved to recommend the best form of treatment that would help ensure your German Shepherd recovers fully from the ailment.
FOUR TIPS TO HELP MAINTAIN FULL AND FLUFFY COATS IN YOUR GERMAN SHEPHERDS.
Brushing: Regular brushing is essential to keep your German Shepherd’s coat healthy and fluffy. Brushing helps remove dirt, debris, and dead hair and spreads natural oils throughout the fur.
Bathing: Regular bathing with a hypoallergenic shampoo can help keep the coat clean and allergens-free.
Diet: Feeding your German Shepherd a balanced diet of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and other vitamins and minerals can help keep their skin healthy and reduce itching.
Grooming products: Using appropriate grooming products, such as conditioners and de-shedding sprays, can help keep the coat healthy and looking its best.
Final Thoughts
The final thing we suggest is thoroughly fumigating your house and other places where your German Shepherd regularly sleeps. This will help in a huge way to control German Shepherds itching.
