Your Chi jumps off the bed and starts scratching. She scratches and scratches and scratches until you worry and wonder ‘why do Chihuahuas scratch so much and whether it is normal’.
A dog scratching all the time isn’t normal at all and could indicate a health issue, an allergy, or a flea/tick problem.
Many Chihuahuas are inherently very sensitive and also prone to be food allergies. Food allergies are one of the most common causes behind excessive scratching, licking, and biting in Chihuahuas.
In this guide, we will discuss all possible root-causes of Chihuahua’s scratching and also their solutions.
Why Do Chihuahuas Scratch So Much?
The answer to this question lies in the focus of your Chi’s scratching.
If your dog has itchy ears, it could be due to an ear infection or ear mites. If your Chi is scratching its mouth, it could be a food allergy.
Similarly, biting or chewing the areas on the belly or paws could indicate fleas, ticks, skin issues, fungal problems, dry skin, dog dandruff, etc.
Take a closer look and examine your Chihuahua’s skin. (If you have a long haired Chihuahua, you might have to take a comb and parts its hair to examine the skin underneath.
Below are some of the common causes behind Chihuahua’s itchy skin:
1. Fleas and flea allergy dermatitis
If you haven’t protected your Chihuahua against fleas and ticks, it could start scratching due to flea bites. Also, your Chi could develop an allergic reaction to the fleas’ saliva causing itching due to flea allergy dermatitis.
One of the clues to a flea infestation is black-colored debris in your dog’s coat. Fleas leave behind dried blood and fecal matter which is seen as tiny black specks in the dog’s fur. If you notice this, then your Chi might be having fleas.
Please use a spot-on flea medication and also bathe your Chihuahua with anti-flea shampoo. You will also need to use anti-flea medicine every few months or as recommended by your vet.
2. Allergies
This is another common answer to the question: why do Chihuahuas scratch so much?
Chihuahuas could suffer from three types of allergies: skin allergy, food allergy, and seasonal/environmental allergies.
Please check out our guide on ‘What are Chihuahuas allergic to?’ This can give you an insight as to why your Chi may be scratching.
Sometimes, the answer to continuous itching in Chihuahuas is food allergy. If you have switched to a new dog food recently, then your pet may be allergic or sensitive to certain ingredients in it.
Typically, food allergies occur due to certain proteins or grains in the food. Low-quality food containing artificial flavors, dyes, and fillers can also cause itching if your Chi is unable to digest it.
A sensitive Chi might also start itching suddenly if it comes in contact with seasonal allergens like pollen, mold, or dust.
3. Skin problems
Chihuahuas can also suffer from dandruff, atopic dermatitis, dry skin, eczema, and other sensitive skin problems that can cause intense itching. Fungal skin issues can also cause biting and chewing behavior in your small Chi.
Examine your pet’s skin to see if there are blisters, redness, hotspots, flakes, dandruff, etc. If you see these, then consult your vet or use a medicated dog shampoo to see if the problem disappears.
4. Psychological factors (boredom, anxiety)
In rare cases, a Chihuahua might start itching if it is bored and has nothing better to do. All dogs, even this small dog breed, needs daily exercise and plenty of mental stimulation.
Without both, the dog can get bored, depressed, and anxious.
If you have to leave your Chi home alone for hours while you work, it might resort to biting, excessive licking, and scratching itself as a means of distraction. In any case, this behavior can get out of hand, so you must curb it with adequate mental and physical stimulation.
5. Hormonal issues
In female Chihuahuas, especially un-spayed ones, you might see dry and itchy skin around the heat cycle. Hormonal changes can cause dry and irritated skin as well as hotspots.
6. Serious health issues
Certain underlying health issues like skin cancer, kidney problems, and liver issues can also cause itchy skin. These diseases will also have other symptoms so if you suspect them, please see a vet right away.
Why is My Chihuahua Constantly Scratching and Biting its Arms and Legs?
A little bit of scratching here and there is normal in all dogs.
But if your Chi is constantly chewing, biting, or scratching its skin or has hair loss in patches, then it could be food allergies or skin issues like fungal infection, dandruff, dry skin, etc.
Have you recently changed your pet’s dog food? Perhaps it is sensitive or allergic to an ingredient in it.
Try switching to another food to see if it makes a difference.
You can also bathe your Chi with anti-fungal or medicated shampoo to curb dandruff, dryness, and the itching that comes from it.
Sometimes, an insect bite can also cause your Chi to scratch itself. Examine your pet’s skin to see if there are any ticks or fleas there. If yes, use a spot treatment like this one to get rid of it.
Why is My Chihuahua Scratching Even if it has no Ticks or Fleas?
If your pet is scratching and preliminary examination of its skin shows no ticks, fleas, mites, or lice, then it could be allergies.
For Chihuahuas (and all dogs) allergens can be of three types:
- Ingested through food
- Inhaled through the nose
- Allergens that touches its skin
For food allergens, it is best to try an elimination diet. It is quite possible that your Chi has developed a sudden allergy to its dog food despite eating it for years. Perhaps that food contains chicken or fish or turkey in it. If that is the case, you may want to rotate its protein and try novel protein sources like venison, rabbit, salmon, or duck.
For inhaled allergens, you may want to limit your pet’s exposure to grass, mold, dust, etc. If needed, use a HEPA filter-based vacuum cleaner or use an air purifier. Always wipe down your Chi’s paws and skin with wipes after its daily walk.
Skin allergens can also come from detergents in your Chi’s bedding or clothing, fleas’ saliva, and products like dog deodorants or a new dog shampoo. This type of scratching will stop once you bathe your Chi and stop using the offending products.
What are Some of the Common Chihuahua Skin Problems?
Chihuahua is one of those dog breeds that suffer from various skin issues. Many Chihuahuas need treatments for skin problems including the following:
1. Allergies
As mentioned earlier, allergies in Chihuahuas are typically skin and food allergies. Your Chi might suddenly start scratching its paws, face, and ears. Just like humans get seasonal hay fever, Chihuahuas might also suffer from seasonal allergies that cause itching.
Your vet might order some blood tests to determine the exact allergen bothering your Chi. However, treating allergies can be difficult because there is a lot of trial and error involved.
Your vet might advise dietary changes along with the use of medicated or allergy shampoos, pills, lotions, and sprays to curb the itching.
2. Folliculitis
This is another common skin issue in sensitive dogs. It leads to bumps, sores, and lesions, and may need oral as well as topical antibiotic ointments to clear up.
3. Ringworm
This is a contagious fungal skin issue. Even if one of your dogs gets ringworm, please isolate it immediately to prevent other pets from getting it.
Ringworm causes red, ‘worm-like’ itchy lesions on the skin. It is a contagious fungal infection that can recur and is seen in dogs fed low-quality diets.
Ringworm treatment includes bathing the dog with special anti-fungal shampoos along with application of anti-fungal creams and lotions. In extreme cases, your Chihuahua might also need oral anti-fungal medicines. Avoid sharing its bedding and brushes with other dogs and wash all objects to prevent the spread of the infection.
4. Yeast infection
Yeast spores can grow inside your Chihuahua’s ears as well as in areas that trap moisture and debris such as the paws. It causes intense itching and thickening of the skin.
Along with application of topical anti-fungal medicines, your Chi might also need dietary changes.
5. Impetigo
Chihuahua puppies often suffer from impetigo which is characterized by blisters that burst causing pain and redness on the belly, mouth, or face. Your pet will need special medicated shampoo along with antibiotics to treat the infection.
6. Parasites
Skin parasites in Chihuahuas are fleas, ticks, lice, demodectic mange, and sarcoptic mange. These can cause intense scratching and needs all-year round prevention using oral medicines, spot-treatments, shampoos, sprays, and powders.
Never ignore ticks as they can cause Lyme disease. Fleas can also transmit deadly diseases in your pet.
What Can I Give My Chihuahua for Itchy Skin?
Many products are designed to soothe your itchy dog skin. However please only use those products that are designated for dogs and not the ones for human skin.
Here are some options:
1. Benadryl
Give ¼ tsp. of Benadryl (plain, unflavored) to your Chi. If needed, consult a veterinary dermatologist so you can determine the exact cause of the dog’s itchiness.
2. Bathe your Chi with a medicated shampoo
Bathing will remove allergens like pollen, dust mites, etc., and stop your Chi’s uncontrolled itching. You can bathe more frequently if your Chi has an oily skin problem or if your vet has advised so.
Otherwise, bathe it once a month. For everyday cleanups, use antibacterial and deodorizing dog wipes to clean your Chihuahua’s paws, ears, and eyes.
3. Aloe Vera gel
Aloe vera gel (directly obtained from the leaf of the Aloe Vera plant) can soothe the itch and give your pet much-needed relief. If you use a commercial product, make sure it is free from fragrance, colors, and harmful chemicals.
4. Calamine lotion
Calamine lotion cools the skin and soothes away redness, inflammation, and pain. It is beneficial for Chihuahuas that have flea allergy dermatitis or insect bites.
If the above remedies don’t work, please see your vet.
Simple Homemade Anti-Itch Skin Spray for Dogs
Here is a simple recipe to stop your Chihuahua’s scratching:
- Brew ½ a cup of unflavored green tea. Let it cool completely.
- Combine the green tea with 1 cup of distilled water.
- Add half a cup of pure aloe vera gel in the mixture.
- Next, add 1/4th cup of organic apple cider vinegar.
- Shake well.
- Transfer the mixture into a spray bottle.
- Spray all over your itchy dog to stop the scratching, biting, and chewing.
FAQs on Why Do Chihuahuas Scratch So Much?
1. How can I stop my Chihuahua from scratching constantly?
Here are some steps to prevent your Chi’s constant scratching:
- Use socks or booties on its paws.
- Use an Elizabeth collar
- Spray the anti-itch spray above
- Give it Benadryl.
- Bathe your Chi with a mild/medicated shampoo.
- Use Bach Flower remedies.
- Use an anti-anxiety vest.
2. Is it normal for a Chihuahua to scratch constantly?
No. A little bit of scratching is normal in dogs but if the scratching gets out of hand, please see your vet. It could be some skin or food allergy or even an underlying health issue that may be the cause of the scratching.
3. How long will it take for Benadryl to show effect?
You need to administer 1/4th of a Benadryl tablet to your Chihuahua weighing up to 6 lb. In small dogs, the medicine takes effect immediately and you should notice relief within 1-2 hours.
Conclusion – Why do Chihuahuas Scratch So Much?
Chihuahuas could scratch for a variety of reasons including skin and food allergies, parasites like ticks and fleas, as well as skin issue like ringworm, scabies, etc.
If your pet’s itching worsens over time despite using home remedies and making dietary changes, please see your vet. There could be an underlying health issue that may need oral and topical medications.
We hope this guide gives your pet much needed relief.
