An itchy pet can be one of the first signs of an underlying allergy. An allergy is essentially the immune system overreacting to an otherwise harmless substance and causing inflammation. Most pets with allergies tend to excessively lick or scratch their ears, paws, groin and/or armpits.
Pets can also itch excessively as a sign of underlying skin infection. Yeast and bacteria, which normally live on the skin in low levels, can overgrow and make a pet’s itchiness even worse. Allergies and skin infections frequently go hand in hand.
Your pet may also be itching due to an underlying parasitic infection such as fleas, ticks, mites or even lice. If your pet is frequently itching and scratching themselves, it is important to have them evaluated by a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and the best method of treatment.
