Why is my dog scratching so much?

Well maybe he is having a skin issue. When my German shepherd was a puppy he had the same issue. So i mixed fish oil and raw eggs with his food to make his coat and skin stronger. I saw an improvement in a couple of days. Maybe you should try it.

Try a grain-free dog food. It often works wonders on dogs with skin problems.

That is an infestation of fleas and you need to treat this immediately.

The most common reasons for skin issues (i.e. itching, skin irritation, hair loss, etc.) include:

- Allergic reactions to flea bites, food/treats, grooming or house-cleaning products, etc.

- Mites

- Fungal/Bacterial infections (ringworm, yeast, staph etc. that may cause an unpleasant odor)

- Steroid use (also called prednisone, cortisone or the so-called 'allergy shot')

- Bathing too often

Scratching opens the door to skin infections (remedy below).

ALLERGIES

Even if not visible, you can always see the debris fleas leave behind that looks like finely ground coffee. If placed in water, they will turn red. For recommendations see http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Fleas-Naturally Also, you can dust your yard where your dog roams with inexpensive diatomaceous earth. For more info see http://www.care2.com/greenliving/all-around-non-to...

The dog's digestive system is not designed to handle grains well. Discontinue any food/treat with corn, wheat, etc. Get ones with meat as a primary ingredient – chicken, lamb, salmon, etc. If possible, raw meat diet is best http://hbmag.com/healthy-pets-all-about-raw-food/

Discontinue use of potential allergens i.e. grooming or house cleaning products. For a while, use white vinegar as the cleaning agent for your floors, counters, etc. Vinegar has strong cleaning and antiseptic properties and the smell disappears quickly after use. See http://www.vinegarworkswonders.com/faqs.asp

Bathing too often strips the natural oils that protect the skin. Bathing once a month is enough.

MITES

Three types of mites attack dogs most often: demodectic (not contagious and may itch or not), sarcoptic (very contagious and extremely itchy) and cheyletiella (contagious and mildly itchy). This condition is known as mange. The typical symptoms of mange as the condition progresses include hair loss and scaly or crusty skin.

Avoid the medications most often prescribed by vets that contain toxic chemicals which will harm your dog sooner or later. These are Ivermectin (also known as Ivomec) and Amitraz (also known as Mitaban). Instead, I recommend the use of natural products. Search the Internet to find them. I prefer the spray type treatment which is effective, easy to use, and inexpensive that will kill the mites but is harmless to pets and humans. You can get it at http://www.florapetnaturals.com/online-store.html

STEROID USE

Steroids such as prednisone, cortisone, kenalog or the nondescript “allergy shot” are very dangerous and do not cure anything. They just mask the symptoms temporarily by suppressing the immune system's normal response and cause undesirable health complications.

As Dr. Karen Becker, DVM states - "Steroids are the least optimal treatment choice, as they work by suppressing your pet’s immune system. Not only can steroids have a negative effect on your pet’s liver, adrenal glands and kidneys, but suppressing your pet’s immune system with steroids also allows for opportunistic yeast and bacteria to grow on your pet’s skin..." Please check the link below:

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/a...

SKIN INFECTION REMEDY

For many skin issues I recommend a powder called 'Flowers of Sulfur' (also known as 'brimstone' or 'sublime sulfur').

This substance has been used for thousands of years to cure all kinds of skin ailments including skin infections (fungal or bacterial) and if there is itching, it will stop within a few days. Google it to learn more about its healing properties.

Even vets have forgotten about this wonderful and inexpensive remedy but fortunately you can still purchase it at your local pharmacy for very little money. You can also buy it online at http://www.pennherb.com/search?mp=s&s=Flowers+of+S...

Flowers of sulfur is safe to apply to your pet's skin but take care not to inhale sulfur powder.

You can dust this powder and rub on your dog's skin OR mix it with an oil to rub on the skin. The dusting can be easily accomplished if you use a powdered sugar duster or an empty talcum powder bottle. Separate the hair as you go around dusting to expose the skin until you have covered it.

Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon of flowers of sulfur powder with 1/4 cup of Jojoba oil and put it in a bottle. Always shake to mix well before applying to the skin as it tends to separate. This method works well for smaller skin areas. You do not need to wear gloves as it is not toxic to humans either.

Apply daily until the problem clears.