Why Is My Dog Chewing on Skin & Pulling Out Hair?

Skin problems. If your dog is chewing at its skin, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as allergies, fleas or ticks, mites, yeast infections, hot spots, or skin tumors.

>> Take action:

> - Check your dog for any signs of skin problems, such as redness, bumps, or hair loss.

> - If you find any signs of a skin problem, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Anxiety or boredom. If your dog is bored or anxious, it may start chewing on its skin as a way to relieve its stress.

>> Take action:

>- Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise and mental stimulation.

> - Provide your dog with plenty of toys to play with.

> -Try a calming aid such as CBD oil or a calming collar containing pheromones.

> -Consider talking to your vet about anti-anxiety medication.

Pain or discomfort. Chewing on the affected area can be a way for a dog to try to alleviate pain or discomfort.

>> Take action:

> - Check your dog for any signs of pain or discomfort, such as limping, stiffness, or reluctance to move.

> - If you find any signs of pain or discomfort, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Pica Pica is a condition that causes dogs to eat non-food items. Some dogs with pica may chew on skin, among other things.

>> Take action:

> - Talk to your vet to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing pica.

> -Try managing the behavior by removing the temptation for your dog to chew on skin, such as by keeping the area covered or by putting your dog in a cone when unsupervised.

> -Try training your dog to redirect the chewing behavior to appropriate items with commands such as "leave it" and positive reinforcement.

> -Consider talking to your vet about anti-anxiety medication.