Helping Your Maltipoo with Itching Issues

There are many reasons why your Maltipoo may be itching. It could just be a small one-time itch and that is very common, but if they are scratching regularly or just in one spot, it may point to a serious issue. The itching can also vary from being only in the paws to their whole body

What to look for when your dog itches

It’s normal for a dog to scratch here and there and you should only have to worry about it if they are constantly scratching or if it’s always in one spot.

If your dog is itching in one specific spot, you might want to take a look at it and see if there is anything visible that might be causing the itch. You also might want to talk to your vet if the scratching gets worse or continues.

What Causes Itching

Cleanliness

Sometimes itching can simply be a case of cleanliness. Even if you’ve recently given your dog a bath they may have rolled around in dirt or something else while they were outside. Check the area they are scratching for matted fur or other signs of uncleanliness. If you think cleanliness is the issue you can follow these Maltipoo cleaning tips and if the itching continues you should check for other issues.

Seasonal Changes

Seasonal temperature changes can have negative effects on your dogs skin. One cause of itchiness in dogs is dry skin which may happen in colder climates and winter months. If you think this is the cause ere are some tips on protecting your dog in the winter.

Fleas

One of the main reasons for scratching is usually caused by fleas, fleas can be really risky as they can transmit dangerous diseases. One of the best ways to keep fleas away is to use natural prevention, or if you see any fleas on your pup, you can give them a bath with dawn dish soap, it gets rid of the fleas and eggs without hurting your adorable puppy. Just make sure you don’t do it too often as it also strips their natural skin oils that can take 5-7 days to return.

Dry Skin

Dry skin is usually only a problem if you live in a low humidity area. Low humidity could cause puppies to have a lack of moisture in their skin, which leads to it becoming dry and itchy. Another cause for dry skin is the lack of Omega-3 fatty acids. Make sure the food you are giving your dog is high quality and provides all the nutrients they need.

Allergies

Another typical cause for your Maltipoos’ itching issues could be allergies. If you suspect your dog is allergic to something they are eating make sure to avoid the most common food allergies in dogs until you can get them tested by a professional. This website has a list of foods that are the most common allergens for dogs. It could also be an environmental problem, which would come from inside or outside. One thing that would help is to make sure you wipe down your puppy when they are coming back into the house. You can use a grooming wipe and wash off their paws with the outdoor hose or in a sink or tub if it’s too cold out.

You can also apply paw wax, this helps in many ways. It will help keep any of the allergens away plus it will add as a moisturizer. Vet Preferred Paw Balm is a good one, it has natural products and is non-toxic. 

Relieving Itchiness

Provide Fast Relief

There are a few ways to help your dog receive fast relief from its itching issue. You could help your puppy by giving them a cool bath or even just putting something cold onto the itchy area. But if you have access to any spray or anything else, that would also help your Maltipoo’s itching issues a lot.

Provide Long-Term Relief

One of the best things to do for long-term relief is to find the source. If you think it might be allergies, you can take them to the vet and get an allergy test. There are some anti-itch sprays and the website, Doggie Designer, has a list of their top ten favorite anti-itch sprays and they also list the pros and cons of each one. You can also use some home remedies like baking soda, you just mix one part baking soda to one part water, which will create a paste, and you can apply this to any irritated areas and let it dry. Another option is to use apple cider vinegar, again using one part apple cider vinegar and one part water, you’d then put it in a spray bottle and spray that on affected areas, just be sure to be careful of any open cuts and not put a lot there.