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Dog scratching raw, no fleas. What's causing severe itching?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Staffordshire Terrier | Female | unspayed | 5 months and 27 days old

Why won’t my dog stop itching and scratching herself she definitely hasn’t got flees she is cutting herself by scratching so much and it’s getting sore?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 2nd, 2019

If Bonnie doesn't have fleas, this could be caused by mange, allergies, or ringworm. I would take her into the vet in the morning. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. I hope this helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Catherine Stecyk
Veterinarian
Published on September 10th, 2018
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Since this has been going on for 1.5 weeks now, I recommend having Sadie seen by your veterinarian. The most common cause of itching in dogs is flea allergies. Your vet can perform a full physical exam, check for fleas, and perform skin cytologies (looking at the skin cells under a microscope) to look for evidence of a bacterial infection, yeast infection, fungal infection, and/or mites. Other causes of itching in dogs include food and environmental allergies. Dogs can cause a significant amount of trauma to their skin by itching so much, so I recommend having her evaluated by your vet as soon as you can make an appointment. I hope this is helpful!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on May 4th, 2017
Poor Marley's skin looks irritated! In order for her to be able to get her fur back, the cause of the itching needs to be diagnosed and treated. This itching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If she isn't up to date on her flea treatment, she will need a spot on treatment such as Advantage or Revolution. You will need to disinfect the environment as well. If she is up to date on her flea treatment, I recommend taking her into the vet for an exam tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. Tonight, you can give her an oatmeal or Epsom salt bath to see if that helps temporarily with the itching.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Why is my dog so itchy and scratching his back until it's raw?

Poor Frank! This itching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If he isn't up to date on his flea treatment, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. If he is up to date on his flea treatment, I recommend taking him into the vet for an exam Monday. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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My dog scratches but has no fleas. What's causing the itching?

Poor King! Sometimes fleas can be hard to find, and the only evidence of them is flea dirt (little black specs that is flea poop). This scratching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If he isn't up to date on his flea treatment, I can give you one for him. First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. If he is up to date on his flea treatment, I recommend taking him into the vet for an exam tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. I hope this helps!

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Poor Laboo! This scratching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If he isn't up to date on his flea treatment, I can give you one for him. First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. If he is up to date on his flea treatment, I recommend taking him into the vet for an exam today or tomorrow. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. Best of luck.

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It sounds like you have done the right things to treat fleas if Willow had them, and I would be thinking that there is another cause of her itching. Other causes can include mites, ringworm, or allergies. I would have her seen by a vet again for this itching. The vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, the vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment.

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