The reasons for dog scratching are many. The ways to stop pit bull scratching are also many, and available to address each of these reasons. Some of the main causes for scratching can be from fleas, food allergies, or skin issues. These issues need to be addressed. Continuous scratching can lead to hot spots, infections, and other problems that can become long term if left unattended.
Reasons For Pit Bull Scratching
As is the case with so many canine problems, it can be challenging to sift through all the possible reasons for the problem to get to the right one. Scratching is no exception. To stop pit bull scratching, one must first identify the underlying cause. Let’s take a look at six main reasons for the problem of scratching.
Allergies
Allergies can come from, but are not limited to food, fleas, plants, and dust. These and other allergies can all cause dermal issues that result in intense itching.
Environmental
Coming into contact with too much of a substance such as water from swimming, dirt from digging, or just playing outside can cause scratching also.
Infection
Infections can result from bacteria, fungi, or yeast. Indicators are wet sores, bare patches, swelling, or redness. Infections must be addressed right away as they can lead to problems much worse than scratching.
Neurogenic
A dog that has nervous issues may be prone to lick a lot, or chew at himself. Reasons for this can be separation anxiety, boredom, and lack of physical and/or mental activity.
Nutritional
Proper diet is essential to stop pit bull scratching because without the proper nutrients, a dog can wind up with dry skin, dry hair, eczema, and sores. It really pays to investigate the nutritional value of so-called complete dog foods, and pit bull nutritional needs. You may be shocked at what you discover.
Parasitical
External parasites include fleas, ticks, mites, mosquitoes, flies, gnats, and lice. There are many medications that can be easily obtained to control parasites.
Clearly, the way to stop pit bull scratching is to identify why the scratching began initially.
Visiting Your Veterinarian
Utilizing the criteria above will get you off to a great start in identifying where the scratching behavior is coming from. A visit to your vet, however, serves a twofold purpose. Firstly, she can accurately identify the source of the scratching, and secondly, she can prescribe the exact treatment to arrest it.
If your dog has an infection, an antibiotic, anti-fungal or cream will be in order to remove the effects. Allergies will require antihistamines, or a change in diet, and parasites can be treated with medications.
Nervous Scratching
Of all the ways to stop pit bull scratching, the hardest to stop is the neurogenic cause. The other five problems can be treated with diet alterations, medication, or change in their exercise routines. For chronic, neurogenic itching, you’ll need to figure out, you guessed it, the underlying cause of the incessant need to scratch.
If you feel that lack of exercise is the problem, try getting your dog out more and adding more intense activity into the routine. If the scratching is due to boredom, which it often is, this extra exercise will help to solve the problem.
The big problem with the boredom factor is that your dog may have developed a self comforting habit of licking or chewing itself. In this case a topical application of cayenne pepper or bitter apple will help.
Many people use a cone from the vet that will prevent the dog from reaching itching hot spots. Once your dog has an improved, more intense exercise routine, normal activities can be slowly resumed. Use of the cone and the topical deterrent can then be discontinued.
Of course if you try everything and nothing seems to work, then you’ll need to head back to the vet again to rule out any other physical ailments. Sometimes,other issues such as infections can grow in the interim.
In the end, to stop pit bull scratching, the goal as a dog owner is to be watchful for reasons why your dog might start scratching in the first place. In most cases the problem can be easily identified and fixed, but a second opinion never hurts.