Notice Your Dog Is Licking Themselves Raw? 3 Ways A Vet Can Help
Posted on: 26 April 2018
Your dog grooming itself is normal behavior, but it can quickly get out of hand and be very obvious to you that they're over-grooming. If you've noticed raw patches on your dog from them licking and biting themselves, it's a good idea for you to look into whether there could be a health concern causing this issue and how to solve it. Instead of trying to take care it on your own, it's a smart idea to look into visiting a veterinarian so they can diagnose any issues and make sure that your dog is healthy.
Check for Fleas or Parasites
One of the more common reasons why your dog could be looking patchy is due to them having fleas or parasites. With the fact that your dog likely goes outside often due to walks or visiting dog parks, it's likely that they can contract fleas or other parasites can cause irritation for their skin.
This can quickly lead to itching and other effects on their skin, making over-grooming and biting their skin a common reaction as they try to relieve the discomfort. Going to the vet can help make sure that your dog is free of any parasites or fleas that could be causing skin irritation.
Diagnose Any Potential Allergies
Another reason why your dog could be chewing on their fur is due to having allergy. Allergies can range from having a reaction to the laundry detergent that you use to things such as the kind of food that they eat. Visiting the vet can help you get familiar with whether your dog has allergies doing an allergy test can make sure that nothing in your home or food that they consume is causing allergies. This can be so reassuring when your dog has been itching or scratching themselves excessively.
Check if Anxiety Could Be the Cause
If any major changes have happened in your life recently, this could be the cause of your dog chewing and licking themselves. Anxiety can cause a reaction of wanting to bite themselves and could be due to a sudden change, such as adopting another pet or moving. If this is the case, your veterinarian can prescribe medication or offer advice on how to get your dog treatment.
Visiting an animal hospital should be the first thing on your mind when you notice that your dog has been biting or licking themselves to their skin is raw. With the above causes of kind of issue, you'll be able to figure out what's causing issues for your dog and be able to make any changes necessary.
Share