How can I relieve my chihuahua’s itchy skin?

My chihuahua is constantly scratching all over her body, sometimes she rolls around on the carpet to scratch her back. She chews her paws and parts of her legs to the point where she has bald spots from scratching so much. I don’t know what she’s allergic to. I feel so bad for her, what can I do?

If you’re sure your chihuahua doesn’t have fleas, then most likely she has a skin allergy problem. This is a 5-step solution and you should do them simultaneously to get the best result.
(1) For instant relief, use an anti-itch cream or spray that you apply directly to hot spots. A good one to try is Doc Ackerman’s Hot Spot Relief Spray:

Doc Ackerman’s Instant Hot Spot Relief Spray


Doc Ackerman's Instant Hot Spot Relief Spray

(2) Most vets recommend chlorpheniramine, an antihistimine, available over-the-counter at your local drug store. Or you can buy it from PetCareRx. Give half a pill (2mg) twice a day.

Chlorpheniramine, 4mg, 100 Tablets,


Chlorpheniramine, 4mg, 100 Tablets,

(3) Bathe your chihuahua with an oatmeal-based shampoo, like this one from Doc Ackerman. It contains 3.8% colloidal oatmeal to draw out irritants and has no lauryl or laureth sulfates, so it’s very gentle and non-drying on the skin. Massage into the fur and let it soak for an extra minute or two before rinsing.

DocAck Oatmeal Shampoo 20 oz.


DocAck Oatmeal Shampoo 20 oz.

(4) Change your chihuahua’s diet. Your dog might be allergic to ingredients in her food. The only way to find out is to the change it. The most common offenders are beef, dairy, chicken, wheat, eggs, corn, and soy. Since it’s hard to tell what your dog is allergic to, it’s best to get a dog food that excludes all these ingredients. The following brands are nutritionally complete and only uses natural ingredients, so your dog will continue to get a balanced diet. They’re all good, just depends on your dog’s tastes.

Wellness Simple Duck Dry Dog Food 10.5 lbs.

Wellness Simple Duck Dry Dog Food 10.5 lbs.


NatBal Fish & Sweet Potato Dry Dog 5 lb. Bag


NatBal Fish & Sweet Potato Dry Dog 5 lb. Bag

If your dog is allergic to meat in general,
NatBal Dog Vegetarian 5 lb. Bag


NatBal Dog Vegetarian 5 lb. Bag

(5) Boost your chihuahua’s natural immune system with essential fatty acids. Vets routinely recommend Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil to combat itchy skin. These supplements give great results and are good for overall health, not just itchy skin. Try this combination from Drs Foster and Smith:
Maximum Relief Allergy Kit Allergy Kit

Share

Tags: , , , ,


Print •  Comment

Trackback uri

http://www.yourchihuahua.com/my-chihuahua-has-itchy-skin.html/trackback"

9 Comments

November 8, 2010

chery :

My year and half old deer head keeps biting on his front paw. In between the webs there is a brownish color. He has always chewed on his paws but this one looks a little different. Other than that he is in good health and has been to the vet for regular check ups. He chews on his paw when he seems to relax. Should i be worried about this?

Thanks for your help.

Permalink •  Reply

April 6, 2013

Holly Mainhart :

My puppy is on homemade food,but I mix with
A little purina puppy dry for crunch,how do I help him stop the constant itching?

He has no redness,or swelling.No fleas or ticks,and his sister puppy has none of the
Same itching,must be the food….right???

Permalink •  Reply

June 1, 2013

Jordan :

Thank you for the advice. My sweet girl Peanut seems to have an allergy and my vet has not been half as helpful as your post!

Permalink •  Reply

June 7, 2013

Margarita Steuck :

Shots might seem like an unusual way to treat allergies, but they’re effective at decreasing sensitivity to triggers. The substances in the shots are chosen according to the allergens identified from a person’s medical history and by the allergist during the initial testing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the standards used in preparing the materials for allergy shots given in the United States.

Permalink •  Reply

August 26, 2013

angie Matthews :

My Chihuahuas scratched a lot I started useing vitamin E oil it helps but leaves them oily looking then I tryed useing fish oil it seems to work better. I guess its better to look oily than to scrach all the time.

Permalink •  Reply

September 18, 2013

JENNIFER :

i HAVE A OLDER CHI , FEMALE WITH SKIN ISSUES, SHE IS SCRATCHING BADLY, HAVE BEEN TAKING HER TO VET TO GET TWO SHOTS, SEEM TO HELP , NOT FOR LONG. THEN BACK TO SCRATCHING , I FED HER AND PUT SOME BENADRYL IN FOOD NOT MUCH TO RELIEVE SCRATCHING , WORKED FOR AWHILE , 2MG , VET SAID TO GIVE HER 6MG , SO ANY IDEAS WOULD HELP ME AND HER ?

Permalink •  Reply

September 23, 2013

Cindy :

Jennifer, ask your vet about cyclosporine. It’s a generic to a brand name drug called Atopica. These drugs are used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs, which is a non-contagious skin disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the skin. A friend of mine has two chihuahuas who scratched constantly. He tried everything, shampoos, benadryl, etc, to no avail, until his vet prescribed cyclosporine. It’s available as a pill or liquid.

Permalink •  Reply

September 11, 2014

Alexa :

My Chihuahua is Tyson is a toy size and about 4 years old. He constantly itches, chews his paws, he has bald spots behind his hears from starching. I brought him to the vet for his check up and the vet said he was fine. He starches way too much and I don’t know what to do, I hate seeing him itch so much & having irritating red spots. I just want him to feel better! I give him baths once a month and I do use medicated spray. Any advice?

Permalink •  Reply

September 14, 2014

mary :

Miracle home remedy!!!
Mix equal parts of the following in mister bottle or clean capped bottle of your choosing :
1) LISTERINE
2)BABY OIL
3)ROOM TEMP FILTERED WATER
Apply with cotton balls or fine mist and gently massage in to affected areas for immediate relief!!!

Permalink •  Reply

Leave a comment