Watching your pet scratch and lick and try to get to those hard-to-reach areas all day long can be upsetting. We’ve all had relentless itches we couldn’t scratch and it’s never a fun time! Dog itching is not only unbearable for your pet, but oftentimes, it causes stress for the whole family. When seeing our pups uncomfortable, it’s only natural that we want to help relieve their symptoms.  

While antihistamines, such as Benadryl®*, have historically been an accessible and easy over-the-counter option for relief, studies have demonstrated that they have little to no effect on long-term skin allergies and dog itchiness.  

Itchiness in dogs can be frustrating for the dog, their owner, and even the veterinarian! Depending on the cause of your dog’s itch, a variety of treatments may be recommended, including: 

Some causes of dog itching can be easily treated. Fleas for example, typically can be addressed with easy-to-administer treatment that can be 100% effective. In complicated cases like chronic allergies or secondary infections, it may be more difficult to completely remove the symptoms. Even in those cases, treatment options are available to ease the pressure and stress on you and your dog! 

The ease of access to anti-itch or scratch relief shampoos and sprays found at your pet supply store, or antihistamines at the drugstore, is countered by their ability to provide only temporary relief. 

These topical solutions provide small, short-term relief in light-itch situations, but are not effective in controlling larger underlying issues, such as food or skin allergies. As always,  your veterinarian is the best option – they will work with you to identify underlying causes and develop treatment strategies for lasting relief. It’s important to let them know what you’re giving your pet, as well as any other relevant medical conditions your dog has, so they can prescribe safe medication for your dog. 

Allergies work differently in dogs than they do in people. When humans experience allergies, histamines are released in the body which causes upper respiratory symptoms for the sufferer. In pets, however, allergies cause a different type of protein to be released called cytokines (a type of inflammation regulator). These cause different types of symptoms in dogs with allergies, including itchy skin. 

If your dog has underlying allergy issues, antihistamines cannot control the cytokines present in their body that cause inflammation and itch. In fact, the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals lists antihistamines under "Interventions likely to be of little or no benefit to treating acute flares of canine atopic dermatitis.” These medications can also present some nasty, unwanted side effects, such as trembling, sedation, or panting if accurate dosages are not given. 

Once you and your veterinarian have identified the underlying cause of your dog’s itch, you can discuss which treatments can work best to counter it. Working together, you can find an anchor treatment (which will control the itch most of the time), and supplement it with other treatment options depending on how your dog responds. 

If you’re considering using antihistamines to help with your pet’s itch, it’s best to check in with your veterinarian first. They will discuss the pros and cons of this approach and provide their professional recommendation based on your pet’s unique needs. By managing your dog’s itch quickly and effectively, you’ll save frustration, time, money, and aggravation on your pet’s behalf! 

If you're concerned about your dog's itching, there's no better option than checking in with their vet!  Visit a local Thrive Pet Healthcare veterinary expert today. 

* Benadryl® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson.