Itching can manifest in different ways, such as excessive licking, scratching, or biting at the skin and paws, frequent scratching of the ears or shaking of the head, and in some cases hair loss as a result of irritation.
These itching symptoms in pets can have various causes, such as parasites, skin infections, or allergies.
Parasites
Parasites such as fleas and mites are a common cause of itching. These can be ruled out through regular preventive treatments, such as special tablets, spot-on treatments, or a flea collar.
Allergies
Allergies can be caused by food, contact with certain substances, or environmental factors. Approximately 80–90% of allergies are caused by environmental factors such as pollen, house dust mites, grass, cleaning products, or yeasts. Around 10–20% are caused by a reaction to certain components in food, usually animal proteins—often chicken or beef, and sometimes plant-based proteins.
Ruling out a food allergy
To rule out a food allergy, it is recommended to switch to a hypoallergenic diet. At Just Russel, we use mono-protein diets, where only one animal protein source is used that is less common, such as duck, pork, or salmon.
All hypoallergenic diets follow the same principle: feed the diet for at least 8 weeks without any extras such as treats, table scraps, wet food, or dental sticks. Only then can you properly assess the effect of the diet.
What if the itching persists?
If the itching continues despite a strict hypoallergenic diet, there may be an underlying cause in addition to a possible food allergy. This could be, for example, a skin infection, a hormonal imbalance, or a complex allergy. In that case, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian for further examination and an appropriate treatment plan.