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Dog scratching and biting, no fleas. Is it allergies or vet worthy?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 1 year and 1 month old | 65 lbs

My dog keeps scratching and biting himself. Neither me or the groomer can see fleas. We just moved from Phoenix to El Paso Texas where the heat is comparable so I don't think he has dry skin but I have been rubbing coconut oil into his coat and his food just in case. I don't know what to do or if it's even vet worthy.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Lauren M. Jones, VMD

Answered By Lauren M. Jones, VMD

Veterinarian

Published on August 8th, 2017

Poor Logan! Even though you are not seeing fleas, Logan may be sensitive to even 1-2 flea bites and could be scratching as a result. Make sure that he is receiving a high quality flea and tick preventative, such as Nexgard, Bravecto, or K9 Advantix II regularly. It is also possible that Logan has an allergy to something in his new environment, either inside the house or different plants/allergens outside. Instead of coconut oil, you could try using fish oil supplements ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19121 ) in his food to improve his coat. Fish oils tend to be far more effective than coconut oil. Logan may also benefit from a bath in a medicated shampoo ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27980 ) to manage his itching. However, if his itching continues or becomes more severe, he could develop a skin infection from ongoing skin trauma. Moderate to severe itching is absolutely a vet-worthy issue, so if it continues, take him in to be checked. I hope that all goes well!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Davis

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 22nd, 2017

    Wally is very cute. He looks like he has a full coat so you are describing itchiness without hair loss. The most common cause would be from allergies. It could be from a food allergy, or pollen, grass or something in your environment. You can give Benadryl for the itching. There is a discussion about it with dosing recommendations on this website. If that doesn't control the itching then I recommend weekly baths in a hypoallergenic shampoo to cleanse the skin, using a fatty acid supplement in the food to help the skin and hair coat, and you may also want to talk with your veterinarian about a food trial or getting prescription allergy medication to control the itching. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Wally.

    Vote Icon

    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on December 1st, 2018

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed.

    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!

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly 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. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. 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!
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