Everything You Need to Know About Dog Skin Conditions

Dog skin allergies, infection and other conditions aren’t just annoying, they’re also quite common. In fact, dog skin allergies was the most common PD pet insurance claim for dogs 2023.

The highest skin allergies claim for dogs in 2023 was $6,839*

Dog skin conditions can be painful and itchy, or cause flaky, oozy, or dry skin. If your dog is one of the sufferers of a dog skin condition, you may be familiar with way more lotions, creams, and dog food options than you ever thought necessary.

But while the only thing your dog can do is scratch that itch, pet parents can get down to the bottom of it. And we’re here to help.

What are dog skin conditions caused by?

Just like people, some dogs are more prone to skin conditions than others. These dog skin conditions can be temporary, in response to something like an allergen or bite. Or they can be chronic and long-lasting.

Unfortunately, most dog skin conditions are of the chronic variety. Which means they don’t get better without treatment through medicine or lifestyle changes.

Here are a few things that can cause skin problems:

• Environmental allergies (like grass or pollen)
• Stress (such as separation anxiety in pets)
• Allergies to products (we’ve heard good things about Whoop – Itch & Ouch lotion and shampoo)
• Hormone imbalances (pet foods can contain hormone treated protein)
• Parasites like fleas (here’s more about flea treatment in NZ)
• Food allergies (read things that can poison your pet but know that some dogs are allergic to proteins like chicken, or grains such as wheat in food)

Speaking of dog food, if you’re struggling to get your dog to eat dry food, maybe check the ingredients and try another brand. It might be the food that’s causing your pup’s dog skin allergies. Sometimes a dog is just following it’s gut in the hopes of maintaining great gut health.

Importantly, any dog skin allergy that’s not treated timeously can quickly progress to infection.

When to speak to a vet

In some cases, dog skin allergies, infections and other problems can be transferred to humans. So for the sanity of everyone involved, if your pup starts itching, consult your vet straight away.

Getting a vet diagnosis is important. They’re medical experts who know your dog’s history, as well as any breed-specific predispositions. For instance, Beagles and French Bulldogs tend to struggle with skin conditions.

Watch this video from Dr Cath Watson on tips about seasonal dog allergies:

Dog skin conditions and treatments

There’s a huge variety of skin lotions, medicines, shampoos, and specialised diets to choose from. Even with professional help, it sometimes takes some trial and error. So how do you succeed?

A good starting point can be to look for cruelty free, hormone free and chemical free products. Working in tandem with your vet for professional advice to treat a dog skin infection, allergy or other condition is always a wise choice.

Watch this video with Dr Cath on dog skin conditions, then read more about diet and medication:

Food to improve dog skin problems

On the food side, some people have good luck with raw food (read the pros and cons of raw food) whereas others find that adding coconut oil or apple cider vinegar can help. Always ask your vet for advice before experimenting, since not all DIY diets or additives are safe for dogs.

Importantly, look for a food that’s tailored to your pup’s needs.

We’ve helped outline some steps to get this right here:

• Choosing the right puppy food for pet nutrition
• Pet food insights from Royal Canin and Purina
• What does AAFCO stand for in pet food?

If you’re looking for pellets, we’ve heard good things about Addiction Pet Foods and Acana Wild Coast food to name a few. Acana is grain-free and uses novel proteins (fish, in this case), which are less likely to cause a reaction. We’ve also heard recommendations for Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin food.

Preventive treatment and / or medication

As far as preventive care goes, be sure to keep up routine pet care as part of puppy health care milestones. This can also help keep several dog skin problems at bay.

Some dogs might need some extra help from medication. For instance, you may not always be able to alleviate reactions from environmental allergies. Or your dog might have an underlying problem which requires treatment.

Speak to your vet about anti-itching medication to potentially help your dog, for example. The options on the market can vary from occasional anti-histamines through to regular treatments like cortisone or atopica, which is designed specifically to treat dermatitis.

Be persistent and open minded

Just remember: every pet is unique. They each have their own environment and physical needs. Something that works for one dog might not work for another.

“Identifying and eliminating the allergen that triggers the condition can be a great solution. Some grasses, like Kikuyu, can cause severe itching and irritation in my Bulldog, so I avoid this like the plague. Diet and nutrition can play a role in improving skin health and reducing inflammation.”

– Michelle Le Long, PD Insurance COO

The moral of the story is to keep at it. By working alongside your vet and being patient, you’re likely to find a solution.

Pet insurance for dog skin conditions and more

Having dog insurance can save you heaps on non-routine vet visits for illnesses, accidents, infections, allergies and more, and you’ll be covered for more the younger your pup is when you take out cover.

Pet insurance makes getting healthcare for your pet much easier on your pocket. Which means you have more time for the important stuff, like keeping your dog happy and healthy. Buy your award winning PD plan online and we’ll give you one or more months of FREE pet insurance.

Click below to get a quote.

* Please note, cover limits vary by plan and maximum per-claim limits may apply.