Common Dog Skin Problems and Their Causes

Dogs are great pets. They are friendly, active, and very adorable. Small, furry dogs are the favorite of kids and ladies, while big and strong canines are dads' best hunting mates. Because they are already considered as members of the family, dogs also need love and attention. A dog owner especially needs to look out for his adored pet if it has dog skin problems.

Sometimes, despite all the care and attention you give to your dog, it can still develop skin problems and allergies. These conditions are inevitable, especially if your dog is active and loves to explore. Some allergies and skin disorders may be caused by the canine's contact to grass, air particulates, dust mites, mold spores, carpets, blankets, food, and other plants.

Although there are a lot of skin problems that may occur on a canine, one of the most evident symptoms of every one of them is itching. A dog that itches constantly may be experiencing a skin allergy or a developing rash that may progress into a worse skin condition. There are several forms of skin problems for canines, and some of them will be discussed further.

Allergies are the most common forms of skin problems on dogs, and the flea bite is the most prevalent of them all. Fleas are small parasites that suck blood from animals like dogs, and their saliva is deposited on the skin after their bite. The allergic reaction does not come from the bite itself, but the irritation of the skin to the flea saliva. When a dog scratches the itchy area, hair falls off and scabs may develop, which may in turn develop into worse conditions.

Other forms of allergies include contact allergy which develops from coming in contact with objects like plants, grass, and toxic chemicals; food allergies which can be caused by eating dog food or treats with soy, wheat, yeast, or beef; inhalant allergies which are airborne and can be caused by pollen, smoke, and air fresheners; and the result of the itching and scratching of these allergies which is allergic dermatitis.

Allergic dermatitis is the result of the constant scratching, licking, chewing, and gnawing on the itchy area of the skin. This skin disorder is very bothersome for a dog because it is painful, itchy, and can last an entire lifetime. Sometimes allergic dermatitis can be accompanied by seborrhea, a bad odor that develops when the sebaceous gland and hair follicles become over-productive.

Another skin problem in canines are the so-called "hot spots", also known as acute moist dermatitis. Hot spots can be caused by practically anything, but the actual condition is characterized by infection that develops on the skin of the dog. Scratching and gnawing on the skin can develop allergic dermatitis, but once the skin is infected by bacteria or fungi, it becomes a hot spot.

These are the most common forms of skin problems for canines. Sometimes, diagnosing these problems may be difficult, so as owners, we should always look out for our dogs' skin health. Treating these skin problems is a tedious task, but natural products like those offered by DERMagic Skin Care for Animals can be very helpful in relieving dog skin problems.