My Chihuahua itches a lot. Is it due to excess fur or allergies?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If he is itchy at all then it could be due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Without seeing them it's hard to say why they are suddenly more itchy. With recent moving and travels they could have been exposed to fleas and if they are scratching they could have a flea allergy. You may not always find a live flea so it's not always easy to rule out. If you moved far, there could be an environmental allergy- something they have never been exposed to before. Also, changes in humidity and pressure can cause scratching. If their skin is red or they are keeping you up at night with the scratching I would recommend seeing a vet. Otherwise you could try washing them with an aloe and oatmeal shampoo for skin relief. I hope this helps! Kisses to Daphne, Leela, and Dudley!

Chihuahuas do shed like other dogs, however there are a few things you can do to help reduce allergens to your child. Brushing Silly daily in a room that the hair can easily be swept up can help reduce shedding and release of dander. Using a pet wipe or baby wipe when Silly comes in from outside can also help reduce allergens such as pollen and dander stuck to her fur and keep them from spreading. Using an in-home purifier and allergy meds with your child may also help reduce reactions to any fur or dander in the house.

Itching could be due to several things including allergies, dry skin, skin mites, flea bites, or an infection. Check the skin for any redness, flakiness, scabs or evidence of fleas. Have Carmella examined if any of these are seen. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing her diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. Protect the areas from licking or scratching and she may need to wear an Elizabethan collar or a shirt at all times. If the itching doesn't start getting better within about a week or if it gets worse, have her examined by the veterinarian who may prescribe medications. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Poor guy. It sounds like he may be having a mild reaction to the vaccine. I would contact your vet to get him an antihistamine shot to help relieve the itch. He may also benefit from oral allergy medication for a few days until things subside. If you can't get him in right away, you can try an over the counter pet formulated aloe based or oatmeal based shampoo (one with Diphenhydramine is best if available) to help alleviate some of the irritation. Also as a general rule of thumb, giving pet formulated fish oils can help provide a natural anti-inflammatory effect on the skin in dogs. Best wishes moving foward with Brinks care.

I agree that allergies are one of the most likely causes for your dog's scratching - this is a very common problem for many dogs in the summer. But there are other possible causes also that should be ruled out first - itching can also be caused by skin mites (mange), or bacterial or fungal infections. If the itching is allergy related, you can try bathing in a dog shampoo with either cortisone or aloe and oatmeal to help soothe the itching. But most allergy problems in dogs require prescription medications to treat successfully, so I would recommend having your dog examined by a vet if bathing her isn't helpful.

Hi there. Allergies can be very challenging and frustrating. Have you tried any prescription hypoallergenic diets? Minimum of 10 weeks with NO other treats etc? If not I would discuss that option with your veterinarian. Otherwise I may consider trying cytoplasm injections. I have been very pleased with my toughest allergy patients on this medication. I hope this gives you a few new option to consult! Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.