Dog Skin Problems in Summer: Why Does Your Dog Itch? - Cooper & Gracie™ Limited

Does your dog have itchy skin all of a sudden? The warm summer weather can trigger certain skin conditions in dogs. So, you may notice your dog scratching more than usual. Luckily, there are lots of easy remedies for preventing your dog’s itchy skin at home.

We’ve explored the reasons why your dog is so itchy and how to soothe skin to fix their summer itch.

What are the causes of summer itch in dogs?

While dogs can suffer from itchy skin all year round, there are some tell-tale signs that your dog’s sudden itch is seasonal. If your dog’s constant scratching, rash or skin irritation is new, there’s a good chance it’s due to one of the following:

beagle scratching itself

Allergies

Does your dog have a red rash or hives? They may also suffer from a runny nose, watery eyes, itchy ears, coughing and sneezing. Just like us humans, dogs can suffer from hay fever. And this allergy to grass or tree pollen will flare up during the summer months, much like ours. So look out for discomfort after walks in long grass and always check your dog’s coat, feet, and ears for grass seeds.

Bacteria and yeast

During warm, humid weather, dogs are more vulnerable to yeast and bacterial infections. The moisture and sweat on their skin can be a breeding ground for bacteria, causing sensitive, itchy skin. If your pup loves nothing more than a dip in the river or lake, they’re more susceptible to picking up bacteria. Pay particular attention to your dog’s paws and ears, where sweat and moisture tend to linger.

Heat

If your dog is scratching and licking at their fur after a hot day, they could be suffering from heat rash. Dogs with skin folds, like pugs, are especially vulnerable to heat rash, but it can affect any dog that’s been out in the sun too long. Check your dog for tender, red skin, sores, and rashes. Thankfully heat rash is easily preventable by keeping your dog in the shade during intense heat.

Fleas and ticks

brown labrador in long grass

Although fleas and ticks aren’t seasonal pests, they’re more prevalent during spring and summer. Warm, humid weather combined with more time outdoors increases the chances of a flea or tick infestation. Always ensure your dog is protected from fleas and ticks and check their fur after walks to catch the nasty pests early. Read our post for more advice about fleas and how to prevent them, or visit our natural flea and repellent collection.

How to ease your dog’s skin problems in summer

1. Bathe regularly to remove allergens.

During summer, it’s essential to continue with your dog’s regular grooming routine. While it’s less muddy and wet, it may be tempting to skip the baths. But now it’s as important as ever. Regular bathing will remove any potential allergens from your dog’s coat and skin, like tree and grass pollen.

If your dog gets itchy in summer, try our anti-itch shampoo to soothe their dry, sensitive skin. It’s made with 100% natural peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree to aid itchy skin instantly and leave them feeling and smelling fresh.

2. Soothe itchy skin to reduce discomfort.

Allergens, bacteria, and fungus can build up on your dog’s coat and skin in between bathing. This can cause itchy skin in dogs with sensitive skin and allergies. So, we recommend using an anti-itch spray in between grooming. Our itchy skin spray is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral to promote healthy skin and reduce irritation. It’s also the perfect allergy aid for dogs with pollen allergies.

3. Clean ears to reduce head shaking and scratching.

Some dogs’ ears need cleaning more than others. For example, spaniels with long ears or keen swimmers are more likely to pick up dirt and bacteria. However, ear cleaning is an essential part of all dogs grooming routines to remove dirt, bacteria, and yeast. If your dog suffers from allergies or fleas, you may notice excessive head shaking or scratching which can worsen the symptoms. But keeping the ears clean should help to prevent this.

If you’re cleaning your dog’s ears:

  • Wipe around the ear with cotton wool and a specialist dog ear cleaner
  • Don’t use cotton buds as there is a risk of damaging the ear canal
  • If you spot any discharge or a foul odour, contact your vet as your dog may have an ear infection

4. Protect sensitive skin from sun damage

If your dog suffers from skin problems in summer, protect them from too much sun exposure. It’s advisable to keep your dog out of direct sunlight on hotter days. But as this isn’t always possible, keep sun exposure to a minimum and apply a high factor sun cream.

Our anti-bacterial itchy skin cream contains SPF 50 to help prevent sunburn and provide a soothing after sun. Apply sun cream to sensitive areas, like the nose, ears and belly.

5. Aid allergies with an anti-itch supplement

To help keep allergies at bay, try an anti-itch supplement to help reduce symptoms. Our itchy skin and allergy aid supplement contains 100% natural antioxidants to soothe and moisturise itchy skin. It’s vet formulated to reduce the irritation that causes itchy, flaky skin for healthy skin all year round. In addition, we’ve carefully chosen wheat-free, grain-free, dairy-free ingredients to ensure it’s hypoallergenic for sensitive tums.

To calm your dog’s itchy skin this summer, explore our collection for itchy dogs. Every one of our products for itchy dogs contains 100% natural ingredients to ensure they’re suitable for even the most sensitive pups.

Need convincing to give our itchy skin collection a try? Read what our gorgeous fan Billie had to say:

billie the blue roan

"I started to use this brand when Billie had a yeast infection and she was extremely itchy and sore. We ordered the 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗕𝗮𝗰, 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹, 𝗜𝘁𝗰𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗼 and The 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗕𝗮𝗰, 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹, 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆 and started to bathe her in the 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙤 and used it along with the 𝙎𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙮. We now swear by it, they’re absolutely amazing and helped Billie by a huge amount. They are also amazing if your dog has a wound or a cut and can help prevent any infection. Definitely recommended!"

insta: @billietheblueroan