PET42 guide
My dog scratches after a walk: possible causes
Pollen, harvest mites, contact reactions and parasites can cause itching after walks. Repeated scratching or irritated skin deserves attention.
When is there more to it than just a little itch?
Almost every dog scratches themselves occasionally. However, if your dog regularly starts intensively scratching, licking or nibbling immediately after a walk, it's worth taking a closer look.
Especially in spring, summer and autumn, various triggers occur that can irritate skin and fur.
There is not always an allergy behind it - but not all scratching is harmless either.
When is scratching normal?
A short scratch after a walk is usually completely harmless.
For example if:
It becomes problematic when:
- a blade of grass hangs in the fur
- the skin was briefly irritated
- the dog simply grooms itself
- scratching occurs regularly
- certain parts of the body are affected
- the skin is red
- Licking or nibbling is added
- the dog seems restless
Pollen as a common trigger
Many people are familiar with pollen allergies - dogs can also react to pollen.
Pollen gets onto:
Typical signs:
Problems occur particularly frequently in spring and summer.
- fur
- skin
- Paws
- ears
- Scratching after walks
- Paw licking
- reddened skin
- recurring ear problems
- seasonal ailments
Grass mites
Grass mites are one of the most common causes of seasonal itching.
The tiny larvae prefer to sit:
Commonly affected areas include:
Many dogs suddenly start licking or scratching intensely after a walk.
- in meadows
- in fields
- in tall grass
- Paws
- Spaces between toes
- Belly
- Armpits
- Ear edges
Contact allergies
Some dogs react to substances that come into direct contact with their skin.
Possible triggers:
The following are often affected:
i.e. exactly the places that have direct contact with the surroundings when walking.
- certain plants
- grasses
- Cleaning products
- fertiliser
- Plant protection products
- Paws
- Belly
- chest area
Don't forget parasites
If a dog suddenly scratches itself more, parasites should always be taken into account.
This includes:
Sometimes even a single flea bite is enough to cause severe itching.
- Fleas
- Mites
- Biting lice
- Ticks
The paws also deserve attention
Many dogs show itching not by scratching, but by:
It's worth taking a look at, especially after walks:
- Paw licking
- Paw biting
- Rubbing the paws
- Paw pads
- Spaces between toes
- Claw areas
Check your dog’s coat after a walk
A quick check often only takes a few minutes.
Pay attention to:
The sooner changes are noticed, the better.
- Ticks
- Awns
- Skin redness
- swelling
- small injuries
- noticeable spots in the fur
When should you see a vet?
A visit to the vet makes sense if:
Allergies and parasites in particular often cannot be reliably distinguished from the outside.
- the itching occurs regularly
- the skin is red
- bald spots appear
- Ear problems arise
- the dog scratches itself sore
- the behaviour suddenly begins
Why you shouldn't just wait and see
Itching is one of the complaints that often worsens itself.
The cycle often looks like this:
Itching → scratching → skin irritation → more itching.
The sooner the cause is found, the easier it is to break this cycle.
Conclusion
If your dog scratches regularly after a walk, it shouldn't be ignored.
Common causes are:
Not all scratching is problematic. However, recurrent or severe itching deserves attention and should be checked by a vet if necessary.
- pollen
- Grass mites
- Contact allergies
- Parasites
- Skin irritation
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