Itchy POM
by cindy
(NY)
My 2 year old Pomeranian has been scratching and scratching. He goes into itch fits. Don't know what to do. Tried Vitamin E, oil in food, and oatmeal dog shampoo. Any suggestions?
Answer:
Itching can be a troublesome one to get to the root of, since it can be caused by so many things. Dogs can become allergic to many things, just like we can: dust, mites, pollen, grass, cleansers, scented sprays and powders, certain foods, etc..
Here are a few tips in addition to what you're already doing with the oatmeal shampoo. When you bathe your dog, be sure to rinse very well. When you think all the shampoo is out, give it another rinse, so no residue remains in the coat, then use a coat conditioner for dogs. Bathing strips some of the oils from the skin, and this will help protect the coat by restoring some of the oil it needs until the natural body oils return to normal pre-bathing levels.
Brush and comb regularly with a pin brush and a metal comb. Be sure to get all the way to the skin; this helps distribute the normal skin oils and remove dead skin cells, dust and pollen that add to the itching. Daily is best, but at least every other day.
Try "dusting" his coat and wiping his feet to remove most of the dust and pollen he may have picked up if he's been outside. You can do this with a damp washcloth - lightly rub the cloth in all directions through his coat (but not in a scrubbing motion), then wipe the feet; be sure to get between the paw pads.
Food allergies can also be a contributor. Be sure to feed him a good quality food. If you decide to change foods, be sure to do it gradually, moving from the old food to the new over several days so it isn't a sudden change that may cause digestive troubles.
If the itching continues, you may want to have your vet test for allergies.
