Ways for dogs to scratch itches?
Alright, odd request time! We need ways for our itchy dog to scratch her itches.
We have no idea why she's so itchy besides maybe allergies. The vet suggested trying a new dog food last winter which seemed to work... But now that it's spring the itchiness is back full force, so looks like the cause is probably seasonal instead of a diet thing. (Related, at that same appointment the vet claimed she was the fifth dog they saw that day with an itch-related problem, so there may just be something environmental impacting local dogs.)
In any event, we won't be going back to the vet for a while so for now we just need solutions for her to scratch it! Right now, she uses these prickly bushes to scratch the itch. She just rubs her face and whole body against it like a cat. She also aggressively rubs her face against our carpeted stairs. However, we're moving in a couple weeks and there are no prickly bushes or carpeted stairs at our new house.
So, I'm open to any suggestions for something to use to scratch herself! Or any other solution to the itchiness really. With luck, she's just allergic to some plant in our yard and the move will clear it up (we do have a bunch of Russian sage invading it), but I'd like some ideas just in case.
If it helps, she's a sheltie. Which means a LOT of thick fur.
Honestly she's probably going to keep using anything and everything, because if it's gentler it won't satisfy the itch and she won't stick to just the one... Was the vet able to suggest an allergy medication to try or something? That might be the most sustainable solution.
They do make some corner things for cats to rub against like this but I'm not sure it'll be more satisfying or more safe than the current (or whatever she finds at the new place) scratching options
The vet's suggestion was to change her diet first to see if that was the cause. Their logic was that, since it was winter, the cold snaps would've killed the allergens by then. I think in reality the cold snaps hadn't yet killed off all the plants that triggered the itchiness, since winter was pretty mild up to that point. So the timing lulled us (or my mom) into thinking the food helped when in reality the cause was just dormant. (Honestly I'd figured the food wouldn't help, the itchiness had been on and off for at least a year by then. It just got bad enough last year for my mom to finally notice and discuss with the vet at a checkup.)
I'm aware we'll need to address the root cause, but like I said, we won't be going to the vet again anytime soon given how hectic things are with the move. So for now we just need some options for her to use as a scratcher until her next checkup. That product you linked seems like it might be worth a shot! Bonus points if it helps with grooming and catching fur, she sheds a lot.
Gotcha I misunderstood and thought you'd been back to the vet a second time. It might be worth a phone call, my vet was pretty responsive to a follow up call and prescribing something without another visit (and I could pick up the script from a basket outside and pay later too)
I'm just concerned no matter what the pup may scratch enough to hurt themselves
Fair concern! And part of why I'm looking for safe suggestions to use for scratching the itch.
Unfortunately even just calling the vet is kinda out of the picture right now. We're in the end-stages of moving and dealing with all the last-minute logistics, and things are hectic. I know we'll have to deal with the root cause at some point, but it's chosen a bad time to return with a vengeance.
So for now, I'm just focused on short-term solutions and hoping that the symptoms will alleviate after the move. We live near a large field and small wooded area, so there's more potential allergens in the area than our new house.
Poor doggo!
My immediate thought was a doormat nailed to a wall or a vertical board with a sturdy base so it doesn't tip over. I have a coconut fiber doormat that feels like it would be perfect for scratching. Cat trees often have scratchy surfaces. Maybe you can find one that can scratch that itch.
But I really hope it's environmental and she gets better after the move. A lifetime of itchiness sounds awful!
Good suggestion! We have so many doormats, surely some of them have a rough enough texture to be satisfying!
And same. It's been an issue for so long. It's definitely less of a problem in winter. I just hope that it's some specific plant or something else local to our yard and not a general allergy to grass or tree pollen.