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My puppy has dry, itchy skin. What causes it and how can I help her?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | 1 month and 25 days old | 5 lbs

Our puppy has dry patchy skin and scratches all the time, she was born Dec 2 2017 and is a pamaranian weiniedog mix. We got her yesterday, 1/26/18. What can we do to help her dry skin and itching?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on January 27th, 2018

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. Given her young age, I would suspect that if that is the case it could be due to flea allergies. Another possibility is something like mange. This is something your veterinarian would check with a physical examination and basic diagnostics like a skin scrape and cytology.

It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her 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!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Susan England-Foster

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 11th, 2017

    I would recommend taking her back to the vet for medications to help stop her itch and heal the skin. It is very possible Angel is allergic to fleas. I would recommend a flea prevention every 30 days. This can be a topical or oral flea prevention. Also, a medicated shampoo 2 times a week and an over the counter anti histamine. Most likely if her skin is red and irritated taking her to a vet would be the best idea

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on November 27th, 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. I recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to evaluate this closely with a thorough physical examination to make sure the eyes are ok.

    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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