My dog nibbles when scratched. Is this normal or a health issue?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Not necessarily. In reality, this is not unusual in dogs. I would be concerned though if he is causing himself any skin lesions or wounds from the licking which in that case it could be from allergies and should be addressed. Otherwise, he is likely going to be just fine. Good luck and have a great day!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! That is not normal. This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. This may also be mange and usually this is differentiated on a physical exam and basic cytology. 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!

This may be comfort to him (like a baby with a pacifier). I would make sure that he has a clear bill of health and if so, leave toys that are appropriate to nibble on. Do not allow him to nibble on you. When he tries to, give him a toy or something else and tell him no. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If his coat is as healthy as it appears in the photo you provided, I would not worry about this behavior at all. Rabbits can get a variety of skin diseases so be on the loom out for any redness, hair loss or flaking of the skin. If you notice any of these issues then there may be something to be concerned about. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Typically dogs scratch those areas when they have fleas. Even if you aren't seeing fleas it doesn't mean they aren't there. I recommend getting all pets in the home on monthly prevention every 30 days for at least 3 months. I would call your vet for a dose of Benadryl too. If the Benadryl doesn't help, she may need something stronger to relieve the itch. Good luck and kisses to Meka!

The two most common reasons for this type of behavior would be that Charlie does have a naturally more sensitive area or a ‘sweet spot’. This is not pathologic. Another cause is a skin infection or fleas so check his skin very thoroughly for any abnormalities and have him examined by the veterinarian if needed. Best of luck.

If you are seeing wounds or there is a nipple that is scratched and bloody, it may indicate that your dog is having an issue such as an [allergy](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/canine-allergies/) that is causing [itching](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-prevent-itching-in-pets). Bacterial infections can also cause your dog to itch more. Scratching to the point of bleeding is not normal and should be addressed by your vet. Discuss [allergy testing](https://www.petcoach.co/article/allergy-testing-immunotherapy-in-dogs), [food elimination trials](https://www.petcoach.co/article/food-trials-for-allergies-in-pets-what-to-expect), hydrolyzed diets and antihistamine use during the visit. He or she can provide allergy relief, recommend a diet change if [food related](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/food-allergies/), or provide medications to treat any infections. You may want to place an Elizabethan collar (cone) or T-shirt on your dog to prevent further scratching to help the wounds heal without introducing more bacteria, until your vet can take a look.