Introduction
Dog dermatitis, also known as canine atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition caused by an allergic reaction. It’s one of the most common skin issues in dogs, affecting up to 15% of the canine population. Dermatitis causes intense itching, redness, and irritation of the skin.
There are several types of dermatitis in dogs:
- Food allergies triggered by certain proteins or grains
- Flea allergies and flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)
- Contact allergies from substances like pollen, grass, mold spores
- Bacterial infections like Staphylococcus
- Yeast infections like Malassezia
Common symptoms of dermatitis include excessive licking, biting, scratching, hair loss, red rashes, and scabs. It most often affects the face, ears, paws, underarms, and groin. Severe dermatitis leads to secondary skin infections.
While the exact causes are unknown, genetic and environmental factors play a role. Treatment involves managing symptoms and avoiding triggers through medications, supplements, medicated baths, and dietary changes.
Diagnosing Dermatitis
If your dog is excessively itching, has red and irritated skin, is losing hair, or has scabs, they may have dermatitis. However, these symptoms could potentially indicate other skin conditions as well. It’s important to have your veterinarian examine your dog to get an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause.
Your vet will rule out other possible conditions like flea allergy dermatitis, mange, ringworm, or yeast infections. They will look for evidence of infection and may take a skin scraping or conduct allergy testing. Once dermatitis is confirmed, the vet can advise you on the best treatment options for your dog’s specific case.
Without an examination, you cannot be certain what is causing your dog’s skin irritation. Don’t try to self diagnose or treat without guidance, as you may end up delaying proper treatment. A vet will be able to pinpoint the trigger and customize a treatment plan to relieve your dog’s discomfort.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are a common cause of dermatitis in dogs. Some ingredients that dogs are commonly allergic to include beef, dairy, chicken, lamb, fish, eggs, corn, wheat, and soy. If your dog has a food allergy, you’ll likely notice itchy skin, ear infections, and hot spots.
To manage food allergies, work with your vet to transition your dog to a hypoallergenic diet. You’ll need to feed the special diet exclusively for 8-12 weeks to see if it helps resolve the skin issues. High quality hypoallergenic foods contain a novel protein source (such as duck, rabbit, or venison) and carbohydrate source that your dog hasn’t eaten before.
Be careful not to give your dog any table scraps, treats, flavored medications or supplements during the trial diet period, as these can trigger allergic reactions. If your dog’s dermatitis improves on the elimination diet, you can then gradually reintroduce ingredients one at a time to pinpoint which foods are problematic.
Flea Allergies
Fleas are a common cause of allergies and skin irritation in dogs. Even just a few flea bites can trigger severe itching, redness, and hair loss in dogs with flea allergies. To treat flea allergies, it’s important to thoroughly treat your home and yard to eliminate fleas.
Vacuum all carpets, furniture, and floors daily to remove eggs and larva. Wash your dog’s bedding frequently in hot water. Use an insecticide spray made for indoor use in crevices, baseboards, and carpets. Treat your yard with a flea control product safe for outdoor use.
Also use an effective flea prevention medication on your dog year-round. There are many options for oral and topical flea prevention, including products containing ingredients like fipronil, selamectin, spinosad, and lufenuron. Consult your vet on the best flea prevention plan for your dog.
With diligent treatment both indoors and outdoors, you can eliminate fleas and provide relief for your dog’s flea allergy dermatitis.
Contact Allergies
Contact allergies occur when your dog’s skin reacts to something he is touching. Common contact allergens for dogs include carpets, upholstery, plastic food bowls, shampoos, flea collars and certain fabrics used in beds and toys. The most obvious signs of a contact allergy are itchy skin and localized hair loss around areas that frequently touch the allergen.
To treat a contact allergy, you first need to identify and remove the source of irritation from your dog’s environment. Wash all bedding in hypoallergenic detergent designed for sensitive skin. Replace plastic food and water bowls with stainless steel. Use only veterinarian-approved hypoallergenic shampoos and grooming products. Clean and vacuum floors regularly with a pet-safe vacuum and avoid using chemical cleaners. You may need to experiment with different fabrics and materials to find ones that don’t cause a reaction.
Restrict your dog from laying on upholstery when possible and consider covering furniture with washable slipcovers. If symptoms seem to be caused by carpeting, you may need to replace carpet with an alternative flooring. It’s important to pay close attention and isolate the allergen source so you can take steps to avoid it. With some trial and error, you can make a comfortable home environment for your dog’s sensitive skin.
Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are another common cause of dog dermatitis. An overgrowth of yeast like Malassezia can lead to itchy skin, rashes, and a greasy coat.
Some symptoms of a yeast infection include:
- Greasy, smelly coat
- Itchy skin
- Red rashes in moist areas like armpits, paws, and ears
- Skin darkening and thickening
- Hair loss
Anti-yeast shampoos containing ingredients like ketoconazole, chlorhexidine, or miconazole can help treat yeast overgrowth. These shampoos work by killing excess yeast on the skin and reducing inflammation and itchiness.
Anti-yeast rinses like vinegar, chlorhexidine, or benzoyl peroxide can also be applied after bathing to further reduce yeast levels. It’s important to follow product instructions closely and allow the shampoo or rinse to sit on the skin for the recommended amount of time.
Treatment usually needs to be continued for 2-4 weeks to fully clear up a yeast infection. Your vet may also recommend oral anti-fungal medication if the infection is severe.
Bacterial Infections
One of the most common causes of dog dermatitis is a bacterial skin infection. Bacteria and yeast naturally live on a dog’s skin, but an overgrowth can cause redness, itching, scabs, and hair loss. Common culprits include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Acinetobacter bacteria.
If the infection is superficial, topical antibacterial creams or shampoos may help. But recurrent or deep infections often require antibiotics prescribed by your vet to clear up. It’s important to finish the entire course as directed, even if symptoms improve quickly.
While antibiotics treat the infection, you can help prevent reoccurrence and speed healing by keeping your dog’s skin clean and dry. Gently pat dry damp fur and use unscented baby wipes to remove dirt and debris. Trim hair around affected areas to increase air circulation. And try not to over-bathe, as excessive washing can strip healthy oils from the skin.
Medicated Shampoos
Medicated dog shampoos available over-the-counter can help soothe and treat many skin conditions that cause dermatitis. Look for key ingredients like:
- Oatmeal – Helps moisturize, relieve itching, and calm inflammation.
- Tea tree oil – Has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties.
- Aloe vera – Soothes skin and provides moisture.
- Chlorhexidine – Antibacterial and antifungal.
- Benzoyl peroxide – Eliminates bacteria on the skin.
For best results when bathing your dog:
- Use lukewarm water to avoid irritating the skin further.
- Let the shampoo sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing to allow ingredients to absorb.
- Rinse thoroughly to avoid residue irritation.
- Pat dry instead of rubbing vigorously with a towel.
Always follow directions on the shampoo label. Using medicated shampoos several times a week may be needed to clear up skin infections. Consult your vet if symptoms persist despite proper bathing techniques.
Supplements
Certain supplements may help improve your dog’s skin health and reduce symptoms of dermatitis when used alongside other treatments. Two of the most commonly recommended supplements for dogs with dermatitis are omega fatty acids and probiotics.
Omega fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe skin irritation and inflammation. Fatty acids like EPA and DHA are found in fish oils, while GLA is found in evening primrose oil. Adding an omega fatty acid supplement to your dog’s diet helps nourish the skin from within.
Probiotics support your dog’s gut health by promoting growth of beneficial bacteria. A healthy gut minimizes food sensitivities and allergies that may contribute to skin issues. Probiotic supplements help restore balance to the microbiome. Look for broad-spectrum probiotic strains on the label.
Always consult your veterinarian before starting any new supplements to make sure they are safe and appropriate for your individual dog. Supplements work best alongside other treatment methods for optimal skin health.
When to See the Vet
If your dog’s dermatitis doesn’t seem to be improving after a few weeks of home treatment, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your veterinarian. Chronic or severe cases of dermatitis often need prescription medications and expertise to fully resolve.
Signs that it’s time to see the vet include:
- No improvement after 2-3 weeks of home treatment
- Symptoms are getting worse or spreading
- Significant hair loss or thickening of the skin
- Open sores or signs of infection
- Constant itching, licking, chewing or rubbing
- Drastically changed behavior such as aggression or depression
Your vet can help diagnose the underlying cause through skin scrapings, cultures or allergy testing. They may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, antifungals, antibiotics or medicated shampoos tailored to your dog’s specific needs. For chronic, allergy-related dermatitis, they may recommend immunotherapy or allergen-specific diets. Don’t hesitate to enlist their expertise for severe or persistent cases.