There are several reasons why your dog scratches himself after bathing. It may be due to the care product you use on your dog, flea infestation, or even an underlying skin condition. Furthermore, it can arise from the way you bathe your dog.

Under normal circumstances, a bath will ease the itch your dog feels. However, if your dog continues to feel itchy after bathing, something is definitely wrong with your dog.

Regular baths for your dog are essential. It ensures that your dog is clean and healthy, helping it maintain good hygiene. However, too many baths for your dog can also cause it to dry due to dry skin.

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What Can Cause My Dog To Scratch After Bathing?

Bath Shampoo

Human skin is a lot thicker than that of a dog. It stands to reason that your pet’s skin would be sensitive to the shampoo you as a human would use. This will also cause your pet to scratch after you must have bathed it.

Additionally, your dog’s skin may also be irritated by one of the ingredients in the shampoo. The irritation from the shampoo will lead it to scratch after bathing.

Bathing your Dog The Wrong Way

It is vital to ensure that you give your dogs regular baths. But too many baths will cause your pet to lose some skin oils. These oils help keep your pet’s skin moist and soft, which reduces the chances of your pet scratching its body.

At the same time, if you use thick brushes, sponges, or scourers to wash your pet, thinking it will untangle its furs, it will most likely irritate your pet’s skin. Because dogs have thin skin layers which are easily irritated or injured.

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Allergies Causes Dog To Scratch Themselves

Your dog feeling so itchy could be due to the environment or food allergies, and this can result from your dog’s being ingested or what your dog may have come in contact with.

It is usual for your dog to chew what catches its fancy or wander around and come in contact with something that increases its urge to scratch. Your dog could be allergic to things like pollen or dander in the environment.

Skin Condition Is Also Another Reason For A Dog To Scratch Himself

Your dog is likely suffering from a skin condition that makes it scratch incessantly. Dandruff, alopecia, and pyoderma are skin conditions that affect your dog. So also is folliculitis and ringworms are some skin conditions that can affect your pet.

Yeast infections can also make your dog scratch after bathing. At the same time, there are more severe skin conditions such as mange and lupus. These skin conditions require urgent medical attention.

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Dry Skin

Certain oils help your pets to maintain smooth and soft skin. Your dog may experience dry skin either due to excessive baths, low humidity, or dry weather that is causing it to scratch even after bathing.

Or it could be that your pet is reacting to something that is making it itchy. Dry skin in your pet can also be caused by parasites that have infested its skin.

Fleas And Ticks

Ticks and fleas present in your dog’s body can cause skin irritation. These insects bite and suck your dog’s blood, affecting its skin. Their bites trigger an allergic reaction that irritates your pet’s skin and causes them to itch excessively.

Inflamed, red skin is one of the dogs’ most severe parasite allergy symptoms. Scratching the itchy area due to the bites from these parasites is very common, and your dog may chew its fur to relieve the irritation.

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How Can I Do To Stop My Dog From Scratching Himself?

Use Dog Shampoos And Conditioner

You prevent or reduce the chances of your dog scratching after a bath by using the recommended dog shampoos and conditioners. Just because a particular shampoo is excellent for you does not mean it is perfect for your dog.

Also, some shampoos contain irritants and allergenic materials that will affect your pet’s skin. It can also reduce the amount of oil present in your pet’s skin. You must use dog products that are suitable for your pet.

Antibiotics Shampoo

A vet can prescribe this to help your dog with its scratching problem if they have reason to believe it is caused by a bacterial skin condition.

Mild skin infections can be treated with an antibacterial shampoo. Still, more severe conditions often require a combination of oral antibiotics and antibacterial shampoo.

Medications

You should resist the urge of getting an over-the-counter drug to help your pet stop scratching. It is more advisable to visit your veterinary doctor.

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The veterinary doctor will be able to accurately diagnose the cause of the itch and, if need be, perform tests to confirm his prognosis. Which will allow them to provide a suitable remedy for your pet.

Natural Remedies

There are natural remedies that can be used to address incessant scratching by your dog. Green tea, chamomile, and calendula can help soothe and calm inflamed skin. It can also reduce inflammation, making them ideal for itching doggies regularly.

These soaks are ideal for dogs who have hot, itchy skins. Additionally, oatmeal baths, coconut oil, and a combination of water with apple cider vinegar spray can be used to treat scratching in your pet.

Conclusion

Suppose you prevent your dog from scratching often and immediately after a bath. In that case, you should ensure that you take preventive measures. These measures include bathing your pet the right way. Additionally, use appropriate dog products to cater to your dog.

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You should take your dog to visit the vet when its scratches worsen. You should ensure that your dog’s environment is clean, hygienic, and spacious.

 

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