If your dog is constantly scratching, licking their paws, rubbing their face, or chewing at their skin, it can be frustrating—for you and for your dog.
The first thing to understand is that itching is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Common causes include fleas and other parasites, environmental or food allergies, and bacterial or yeast infections. In fact, secondary skin infections can sometimes make an underlying allergy even itchier.
Look Beyond the Scratch
Before assuming your dog simply has “allergies,” pay attention to the pattern.
Is the itching seasonal? Are they constantly licking their paws? Are their ears irritated? Is there redness, odor, hair loss, scabbing, or greasy skin? Does the itching seem worse around the base of the tail?
These clues can help your veterinarian determine whether fleas, mites, allergies, infection, or another skin condition may be contributing. Persistent itching, broken skin, hair loss, odor, ear problems, or signs of infection warrant veterinary evaluation.
Nutrition Can Be Part of the Skin-Health Conversation
Once medical causes have been appropriately evaluated, nutrition can also be considered as part of an overall skin and coat plan.
A healthy skin barrier and coat depend on adequate nutrition, and nutritional support should complement—not replace—appropriate veterinary diagnosis and treatment.
Certain nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, have also been studied for their role in supporting the skin barrier and helping modulate inflammatory processes in the skin.
That’s where Canine Dermal Support® can fit into a dog’s wellness routine.
Canine Dermal Support is a whole-food-based nutritional supplement designed to support healthy skin and a healthy coat. Rather than positioning a supplement as a treatment for the underlying cause of itching, I prefer to think of it as nutritional support for the dog while you’re also addressing why the itching is occurring.
Don’t Just Cover Up the Itch
If your dog is persistently itchy, the goal shouldn’t simply be to stop the scratching temporarily.
Ask why.
Could fleas be involved? Could there be a bacterial or yeast infection? Is there an environmental allergy? Does your veterinarian suspect a food allergy? Does your dog’s skin need additional nutritional support?
Just like with human health, the best approach is to look at the whole picture rather than guessing.
Healthy pets, happier days.
Ready to support your dog’s skin and coat from the inside out?
Shop Canine Dermal Support® here.
Canine Dermal Support is intended as nutritional support and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Persistent or severe itching should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
References & Further Reading
- Moriello KA. Itching (Pruritus) in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual. Updated May 2025.
Merck Veterinary Manual — Itching in Dogs - Moriello KA. Dermatitis and Dermatologic Problems in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual. Updated September 2024.
Merck Veterinary Manual — Dermatitis in Dogs - VCA Animal Hospitals. Nutrition, Skin, and Dogs.
VCA — Nutrition, Skin, and Dogs - Mueller RS, Fieseler KV, Fettman MJ, et al. Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on canine atopic dermatitis. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 2004;45(6):293–297.
PubMed — Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Canine Atopic Dermatitis
