• Our Hospital
    • About Shores
      Animal Hospital
    • Meet the Team
    • Hospital Tour
    • Payment Solutions
    • Client Forms
    • Career
      Opportunities
    • Our Videos
  • Vet Care
    • Preventive
      Care
    • Wellness Exams
    • Vaccinations
    • Puppy/Kitten And Senior Pet Care
    • Early Detection Testing
    • Parasite Prevention And Control
    • Nutritional Counseling
    • Pharmacy
    • Microchipping
    • Alachua County
      Pet License Tags
    • Pet Wellness Plans
    • General
      Medicine
    • Pet Allergies And Dermatology
    • Dental Care
    • Blood And Lab Test
    • Digital Radiography / X-Rays
    • Ultrasound
    • Pain Management
    • Surgery
    • Pet Emergency Services
    • Specialty
      Vet Services
    • Laser Therapy
    • Blood and Plasma Transfusions
    • International
      Health Certificates
    • Equine Health
    • Boarding
    • Grooming
  • Resources
    • Blogs
    • News &
      Promotions
    • Pet Resources
    • FAQs
  • Home Delivery
  • Pet Resort & Spa
  • Reviews
  • Contact
  • 352-289-8540
Shores Animal Hospital
Shores Animal Hospital
Schedule Your Appointment
352-289-8540
Shores Animal Hospital Logo
Schedule Your Appointment
352-289-8540
    Shores Animal Hospital Logo
  • Our Hospital
    • About Shores
      Animal Hospital
    • Meet the Team
    • Hospital Tour
    • Payment Solutions
    • Client Forms
    • Career
      Opportunities
    • Our Videos
  • Vet Care
    • Preventive
      Care
    • Wellness Exams
    • Vaccinations
    • Puppy/Kitten And Senior Pet Care
    • Early Detection Testing
    • Parasite Prevention And Control
    • Nutritional Counseling
    • Pharmacy
    • Microchipping
    • Alachua County
      Pet License Tags
    • Pet Wellness Plans
    • General
      Medicine
    • Pet Allergies And Dermatology
    • Dental Care
    • Blood And Lab Test
    • Digital Radiography / X-Rays
    • Ultrasound
    • Pain Management
    • Surgery
    • Pet Emergency Services
    • Specialty
      Vet Services
    • Laser Therapy
    • Blood and Plasma Transfusions
    • International
      Health Certificates
    • Equine Health
    • Boarding
    • Grooming
  • Resources
    • Blogs
    • News &
      Promotions
    • Pet Resources
    • FAQs
  • Home Delivery
  • Pet Resort & Spa
  • Reviews
  • Contact

"Improving lives through personalized care. We treat you like family and each patient like our own pet."

"Improving lives through personalized care. We treat you like family and each patient like our own pet."

"Improving lives through personalized care. We treat you like family and each patient like our own pet."

When Your Pet’s Itching Is Driving You Crazy | Gainesville, FL


Does the sound of your pet constantly itching themselves drive you up to the wall? Do they rub their bodies against furniture and flooring, chew at their body or groom themselves persistently? Although some degree of scratching is very normal for pets, when it gets out of control and your furry friend seems to be itching all the time, there is nearly always a very good reason for it. Fortunately, this means that there is almost certainly a way that you can help them, but first, you need to get to the bottom of what is causing the incessant need to scratch. 
 


Why is my Pet Itching all the Time and What Can I do to Alleviate Their Irritation?

 

There might be a number of different reasons why your furry pal is compulsively scratching, licking, biting and chewing their body. Here are some of the main causes of obstinate itching and what you can do to help your pet. 

 

Fleas

 

Many people associate scratching with fleas and with good reason. After all, the presence of tiny creatures roaming on your body is enough to make anyone feel itchy. However, for pets who have flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), the name given to an allergic reaction to flea saliva, this itchiness can become unbearable and animals will go to virtually any length to alleviate the irritation. This means aggressive, uncontrollable scratching to the point that skin becomes inflamed, broken and infected. For animals with FAD, just a single flea bite can be enough to cause intense itching that can last for weeks. 

Fleas are hard to spot due to their small size, however, they do leave behind excrement that looks like dirt and should be noticeable when brushing your pet's fur. If you suspect that your pet has fleas it is important to get them treated right away as they can multiply at an unprecedented rate. Make sure you treat your pet and home at the same time and continue to vacuum daily for up to a month to ensure that you have eradicated all traces of the infestation. 

 

Environmental allergies

 

Animals can develop allergies too and environmental allergies are one of the most common that affect our pets here in Gainesville, Florida. These are when the allergic reaction is caused by exposure to an allergen that is present in the environment – such as tree or grass pollen, smoke or dust. Also known as atrophy, these allergies typically manifest with skin-related symptoms including hives, dermatitis, itching, and inflammation. In rare instances, pets may also experience respiratory symptoms including wheezing, coughing, and sneezing. 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies and all that can be done is to help manage your pet’s condition as best as you can. This will involve avoiding the allergen as much as possible and taking medications to limit your pet’s immune systems response to it. 

 

Food allergies

 

It isn’t just environmental allergies that can cause intense itching. Food allergies, which account for as many as 15% of allergies seen in pets, can also cause symptoms that include hives and extreme itchiness as well as gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. 

Just like environmental allergies, the best thing that you do is to try and ensure that your pet avoids eating the ingredient that is causing the reaction. To do this, it may be necessary to put your pet on an elimination diet to determine exactly which allergen is affecting your pet. Your vet will be able to help you with this time-consuming but valuable process. 
 


A poor quality diet

 

Aside from food allergies, there is another food-related issue that has been known to cause a persistent itch amongst pets – a poor quality diet. While there are countless food products available to purchase, they are not all created equal and many owners have been lured in by colorful packaging and clever marketing ploys only to find that the actual nutritional value of the food that they have purchased is sub-standard. Good nutrition is essential for a healthy, happy pet and foods that are packed with cheap ingredients such as corn and by-products are well-known for triggering a range of health issues in animals, including allergies and general symptoms including extreme itchiness. 

Make sure that you research thoroughly when it comes to picking the best food for your pet. Ask your vet if they operate a nutritional counseling service whereby they can assess your pet’s needs and recommend a diet specifically to meet them. 

If your pet’s itching is driving you crazy and you would like the advice and support of a professional, our experienced and knowledgeable team would be delighted to help. Please contact Shores Animal Hospital in Gainesville, FL to arrange an appointment by calling (352) 289-8540.

Latest Blogs

August 1, 2019

Why Does My Pet Need Annual Exams?

June 28, 2019

Keep Your Pets Safe And Healthy This Summer | Vet in Gainesville FL

May 30, 2019

When Your Pet’s Itching Is Driving You Crazy | Gainesville, FL

Request Appointment

Thank you
You are missing required fields.
Dynamic Error Description
There was an error processing this form.

Main

  • About Us
  • Veterinary Care
  • Resources
  • News & Promotions
  • Home Delivery
  • Reviews
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

Contact Information

  • Address
    3717 NW 13th Street Gainesville, FL 32609
  • Phone
    352-289-8540
  • Email
    Send Email
Shores Animal Hospital
Shores Animal Hospital

Animal Hospital Hours

  • Monday:
    7:30am - 6:00pm
  • Tuesday:
    7:30am - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday:
    7:30am - 6:00pm
  • Thursday:
    7:30am - 6:00pm
  • Friday:
    7:30am - 6:00pm
  • Saturday:
    8:00am - 4:00pm
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Shores Animal Hospital
Shores Animal Hospital
Veterinary Websites by Roya
Shores Animal Hospital Logo
Shores Animal Hospital Logo
Southern Veterinary Partners ©

Send Us A Message

Form submitted successfully!
You are missing required fields.
Dynamic Error Description
There was an error processing this form.

Request Appointment

Complete the form below and We will get back to you to confirm your schedule.
Your Informations is SAFE with us
Form submitted successfully!
You are missing required fields.
Dynamic Error Description
There was an error processing this form.
Form has been submitted successfully.
You are missing required fields.
Dynamic Error Description
There was an error processing this form.

Login


Forgot Password?

OR

Sign in with Facebook Sign in with Google


Looking to create an account ?
Already have an account? Login

Save Search


Saved Searches

Update Profile