Itchy dogs are abundant in veterinarian offices. Dog skin problems can lead to scratching the face, ears, or body with a hind foot; rubbing the face on the floor or with front feet; or persistent paw, genital or belly licking. The fur of white or lighter colored dogs can be stained a rusty color from the dog's saliva following constant licking. A dog that continually licks his abadomen will develop patchy black pigment in the skin. Dogs that scratch or lick frequently can lose their hair in the irritated areas or develop skin infections.

Recognizing dog skin problems is the easy part, determining the cause can be the challenge. An itchy dog can be a symptom of numerous skin disorders. Noting the details can help you and your dog's vet identify the culprit: when the itching began; how severe is the problem; whether there are signs of external parasites (fleas, ticks, or mites); is there evidence of a skin infection; whether this is a reoccuring problem, if so, what factors were present in previous episodes (a particular season or environment); what dog medicines helped in the past (antihistamines, corticosteroids, antibiotics, medicated shampoos, change in diet, holistic dog treatments). 

There are anumber of dog skin problems that can lead to an itchy dog. Some common causes are inhalant allergy, food allergy, contact hypersensitivity, skin parasites, dog ear infections, seborrhea, and obsessive-compulsive licking. 

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