Skin allergies are quite common these days. We are all exposed to pollution to such an extent in the present scenario that it lets us deal with skin allergies. Some other causes of skin allergies are also there, which can be identified after approaching the dermatologist. But this is not the condition with dogs, as all the conditions with dogs require a veterinary doctor.
Like humans, they cannot speak of what they are going through; instead, they show it with their actions. Sometimes the dog behaves as if something is biting him. This can be due to some allergies or other skin problems. In medical terms, it is known as dermatitis. It is inflammation of the skin that causes intense scratching.
Dogs deal with it by licking or scratching that particular area. But not to avoid it, because this can be troublesome lately. Here we are discussing the reasons why a dog might be acting like something is biting him!
Reasons Why Your Dog Might be Acting Like Something is Biting Him
Allergies
Allergies are the primary reason behind their changed behavior. This is indicated by scratching, biting on parts of the body, and shaking the head. Your dog will scratch it crazily to get some relief. However, they should not be avoided because this is a sign that they may be suffering from canine atopic dermatitis. Skin allergies are caused by environmental factors and food hypersensitivity.
Treatment
Check your dog carefully for allergic inflammation. Pay attention to the ears, hind legs, face, stomach, and paws. Don’t ignore them because they can lead to secondary infections as well. Approach the veterinary doctor immediately and get the treatment. Sometimes the allergies are caused by food, so be sure to tell the doctor in detail about it so that they can find the cause behind it.
Seizures or Neurological Issues
Neurological issues or seizures may also be behind your dog’s behaving like something is biting him. The exact cause is unknown in dogs, but some other relatable causes are liver diseases, brain tumors, kidney failure, or toxins. It is important for you to approach the doctor promptly to get the treatment.
Treatment
The neurological issues or seizure conditions can be cured and managed, but it is important to improve the veterinary doctor immediately. They will suggest some medications that are helpful in curing the condition. Moreover, some tests are also recommended that are important to diagnose the extent of the disease.
Psychological and Emotional Reasons
Psychological and emotional reasons also have a major impact on the activities in which a dog is engaged. When they are going through some psychological and emotional trauma, they start to bite themselves. As a canine friend, you need to notice what your dog is feeling and how he is behaving. Some possible psychological and emotional changes behind biting him are as follows:-
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is quite common in dogs. They fear that their owner (you) will leave them, or chances are, you are not spending quality time with them.
Social Anxiety
Some dog breeds are the victims of social anxiety as well. This is more than shyness. Your dog may be worried about what will happen and what will not. Due to his inability to speak, he is not able to say it, but he portrays it by biting himself.
Noise anxiety
Noise anxiety, or “phonophobia,” is a condition when your dog is experiencing deep distress due to loud noises in its surroundings. The loud noise is interfering with their lifestyle. They are showing it to you by biting themselves.
Depression
Depression is also common in dogs. Make sure you are spending quality time with your dog and are not letting them feel this way. The possible causes of depression include health issues, dependency on some drugs, and a changing environment.
Boredom
As a dog owner, you need to spend some quality time with your dog as well. If you are not doing that, they will become victims of boredom. When your dog is feeling bored, they start biting themselves. In most cases, there is a sudden change in the behavior of dogs, and they start biting people as well.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and long-lasting disorder that occurs when your dog is going through some recurring thoughts. This has a major effect on his behavior. Sometimes it changes their entire personality. When they are not able to say anything, they start biting themselves. The most common and main symptom of OCD, along with biting themselves, is your dog starts behaving aggressively as well.
Treatment
The treatment for psychological and emotional reasons is to approach the veterinary doctor and spend some more time with your dog. Try to analyze what they are doing and how they are behaving so that you can treat them accordingly in a particular situation.
Dry Skin
Itching is a common cause of dry skin. It can happen for a variety of reasons, including a lack of water, changing weather, dry air, or the use of new dog soap. Diagnosing it is quite tricky because, initially, it is not visible. This can also be caused by parasites, allergies, and other serious disorders like Cushing’s disease. Your dog will start to bite their skin to get rid of the itchiness. Pay attention to some symptoms like flaking, scaling, dandruff, scabs, itchiness, and increased oiliness.
Treatment
If this happens frequently, approach the veterinary doctor immediately because this is a cause for concern. According to research, these allergies can have a major impact on their behavior. The veterinary doctor will carefully examine the condition and prescribe some medications accordingly.
Hormonal Imbalance
Likewise, human hormonal imbalance is common in dogs as well. Dogs commonly suffer from hypothyroidism. It is the inflammation of the thyroid gland, and it does not sufficiently produce thyroid hormone. It is very important for maintaining the metabolism’s functioning.
When the thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormone, it affects many parts of the body. The common symptom of hypothyroidism is skin problems. These start from scales to thickening of the skin.
Treatment
After diagnosing these changes, you need to approach the veterinary doctor immediately. They will examine the condition and look for the causes. They may suggest you go for some blood tests as well if the condition is serious and you are noticing some other symptoms as well.
Pain
Pain or physical discomfort is also a major cause behind your dog’s behavior when it acts like something is biting him. The pain can be due to any reason. It could be due to:
- Arthritis
- Infection
- Fractured bone
- Toothache
- Hip dysplasia
Treatment
Don’t avoid it because, with time, the condition will get worse. Approach the veterinary doctor promptly and let them examine the condition. They will suggest you give your dog plenty of rest so that they can recover from it. Also, until and unless the veterinary doctor has prescribed any medication, don’t go for it.
Parasites
Parasites are also responsible for the changed behavior of your dog and making him act like something is biting him. Fleas, mites, and ticks affect the dog. In the initial days, it is hard to notice, but pay attention to the changes your dog is going through because fleas carry dangerous diseases as well.
Treatment
The treatment for parasites entirely depends on the condition. As a dog owner, when you are giving him a bath, notice the signs quite attentively. If their skin appears to be reddish-brown in color, this is because of a parasite attack. Immediately approach the veterinary doctor so that they can suggest the best medication for treating it. Also, do not let your dog stay outside for a longer duration during the treatment session.
Anal Gland Problem
Anal gland problems are also a cause of your dog’s changed behavior. These are located inside the dog’s rectum, and if they are having any effect, it can be troublesome for dogs. This happens when they are not able to pee or poop properly. This leads to lumps or swelling.
Treatment
The only treatment for the anal gland problem is to approach the veterinary doctor. They will diagnose it and start the treatment immediately.
Injury
As a dog owner, you can easily notice the changes happening in your dog’s body. Likewise, it is the case with injuries. When dogs suffer an injury, they start to bite, chew, or lick the affected area frequently. Sometimes they try to touch the affected area as well. This behavior is unusual, and you need to see what the reason behind it is.
Treatment
Visit the veterinary doctor immediately to diagnose the problem. They may conduct x-rays and other tests to diagnose the condition.
Bug and Insect Bites
Bug and insect bites actually disturb the dog’s lifestyle. The stinging insect causes mild to severe inflammation, which is very uncomfortable and painful for the dog. They start to scratch the area until it becomes a wound. It is very easy to target bugs and insects in the eyes, ears, nose, and feet.
Treatment
Until and unless you don’t know the proper medication for it, don’t try any home remedy. Approach the veterinary doctor immediately because the breed you have will help them decide the medication that will be best for them. If there is swelling, apply ice to the area for 10 minutes.
Conclusion
Acting like this sometimes is ok with dogs until and unless this has been happening for a long time. As we have discussed, the following are the conditions that let a dog behave like something is biting him. Don’t ignore the condition because it can lead to some serious health issues as well. Approach the veterinary doctor and let them examine and give you the best medication for treating it.
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