Does your dog frantically scratch and chew on his skin? Are his nails
wrecking havoc on your hardwood floors? Or perhaps he's unintentionally
scratched your children in an innocent game of fetch-the-tennis ball. If
any of these scenarios sounds familiar, your beloved Spot's a problem
scratcher--and you're probably itching to find a solution.
Dog Scratching & Chewing : Allergies or Disease?
If your pooch seems to be spending his time scratching and chewing on his
coat, you'll need to treat any skin problems he may have. First, get to the
veterinarian and rule out the possibility of a contagious disease such as
mange or ringworm. Note, too, that persistent scratching can be an
indicator of fleas, hay fever and allergies. Once your pet's been
diagnosed, be sure to follow the treatment protocol recommended by your
vet.
On the other hand, your problem scratcher may boast a beautiful coat in
tip-top condition--it's just your furniture that isn't looking so hot. Dogs
can do serious damage with their nails, scratching and marring couches,
chairs and hardwood floors. Then, of course, your problem scratcher may be
hurting your family and guests to your home, inadvertently leaving painful
scratches when jumping on them in greeting or during play. This poses a
significant problem, particularly for elderly people with delicate skin or
medical conditions such as diabetes, or individuals taking blood-thinning
medication.
Train Your Dog Out of Scratching
While you can begin to tackle these kinds of problems by training your
pooch not to jump on people or scratch furniture, it's also a good idea to
trim your dog's nails. Not only will regular manicures help strengthen the
bond between you and your dog, they give you a chance to check for torn,
ripped and ingrown nails. Please see our topic on "Trimming Nails" for more
information, or ask your veterinarian or a professional groomer for tips on
cutting your animal companion's nails.
In addition to nail trimming and, when necessary, behavior training, you
should consider vinyl nail caps for your dog. These soft caps are safe to
use, easy to apply and will effectively blunt your companion canine's nails
so no damage can occur--to your furniture or your skin--when he scratches.
They can also be a great help in preventing those pooches undergoing
medical treatment from aggravating any skin problems.
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