If your dog scratches himself a lot, your first thought might be to give them a bath. While it's true that dogs might scratch themselves a lot if they are dirty, they also scratch if they have allergies. You'll know the difference because your dog will tend to scratch themselves really hard for a long time and more often than usual. In fact, if your dog has a contact allergy, you might think that they spend every waking moment scratching themselves. This guide provides three ways to give your dog with some relief from all that itching.

Lay Blankets on the Carpet

Dust mites, dirt and other particles that you might not be able to see with the naked eye become embedded in carpeting. If your dog lies around on the carpet often, they can become very itchy from these allergens. Unless you have the economical means to remove all the carpeting from your home and replace it with tile or hardwood, it's not likely that you'll be able to fix this problem permanently.

Try to encourage the dog to spend his or her resting moments in one specific area of the carpet. Then simply lay down a couple layers of blankets or towels in that area to help prevent these allergens from invading your puppy's fur, and then his or her body. Wash blankets regularly to keep them as free from allergens as possible.

Switch Laundry Detergent

Like humans, some dogs have allergies to certain laundry detergents. If carpeting is not an issue, then try switching laundry detergents to see if this helps your pooch. Use the new detergent for a couple of weeks to see if this stops the itching.

Considerations: Just as laundry detergent can cause allergies in dogs, making them itch like crazy, certain perfumes and other scents that you use around the home can also send your dog into a scratching frenzy. Continue switching products out, every couple of weeks, until you feel your dog is no longer itching.

Remove Stuffed Toys

As a dog owner, you probably want to get your little pal a stuffed animal, made specifically for dogs, to play with. In time, these furry buddies can collect dust mites and other allergens, just as carpeting can. Clean the stuffed toy in the washing machine and then dry it in the dryer. This should remove any allergens that are hidden in the toy.

If this doesn't seem to work, replace the stuffed toy with plastic ones that you can wash once in a while.

Giving your dog some relief from all that itching might take a little effort on your part, but the end result will be worth it. Your dog will no longer scratch their body constantly, and they will seem much happier. If none of these tricks seem to be working, make an appointment with a vet at a clinic like Southwest Animal Hospital so that he or she can diagnose the problem.

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