by Good Dog People December 09, 2021 4 min read

Dog skin conditions can cause major discomfort for your pet, especially in a warm country like Singapore. It’s important to pay extra attention to signs that your dog might have a skin condition to help alleviate their discomfort so they can have a comfortable life.

3 Common Skin Conditions in Dogs

These dog skin conditions can also indicate that your pup is facing other underlying health issues that can worsen over time if left untreated.

Allergies in Dogs

Most skin conditions are a result of allergies that your dog may have. Allergies are sensitivities to things found around your dog like dust or pollen. While these allergens are normally not harmful, different pups have different immune systems.

Your dog’s immune system may treat an otherwise harmless substance as dangerous, resulting in inflammations, swelling or itching. Sensitive skin in dogs can exacerbate the effects of dog skin allergy.

If you are concerned about your dog’s skin and coat health, make sure to feed them dog food for sensitive skin like Instinct’s Raw Boost Grain-Free Kibble (Skin & Coat Recipe) to prevent skin conditions early on.

What Do Dog Skin Allergies Look Like?

The biggest sign that your dog has a skin condition is increased itching, especially around the face, feet, ears and anus. If you catch your pup scratching, rubbing or grooming themselves excessively, make sure to take a closer look.

Other symptoms of skin conditions include:

  • Rashes
  • Sneezing
  • Watery eyes
  • Paw chewing
  • Skin inflammation
  • Dry Skin
  • Lumps
  • Dandruff
  • Bumps
  • Hair Loss

Many skin conditions are caused by allergies. In general, when your pup gets a skin disease due to allergens, the condition is known as atopic dermatitis. Itchy skin and inflammation is the most common sign of dermatitis. To prevent these skin conditions from forming, try enhancing your pup’s skin and coat health through Wholistic Pet Organics Coconut Oil (Skin, Coat and Health) Support Dog Supplements.

Now let’s take a look at the top 3 most common causes of skin conditions we see in dogs and find out how we can prevent and manage them!

3 Common Skin Conditions in Dogs

#1 Environmental Allergies

Dust, pollen and mould can all cause atopic allergic reactions in your dog. While many of these allergies tend to depend on the season, in sunny Singapore, you may find these allergens at all times of the year.

If your pup has a sudden onset of itching, especially to the face, feet, chest and stomach, they may be experiencing an environmental dog skin allergy.

If you believe your dog may be facing an environmental allergy, you can try medicated dog shampoos for sensitive skin and sprays like Vet's Best Hot Spot Itch Relief Spray for Dogs. These help keep the itching in check, allowing your pup’s skin to recover.

3 Common Skin Conditions in Dogs

These types of allergies can be hard to identify and also hard to treat. However, if you’ve made the necessary changes and they don’t seem to work, try looking into other causes like food allergies.

You may also want to send your dog to a vet for a check up. A veterinarian will be able to do a more detailed allergy test on your dog to find out if they have any environmental allergies.

#2 Food Allergies

Another common skin condition is a food-related dog skin allergy. Dogs can actually develop food allergies, often from the type of protein they consume. Whether it’s beef, eggs or even vegetables, dogs with these food intolerances may experience skin conditions.

3 Common Skin Conditions in Dogs

In this case, you may want to put your pet through an elimination diet process for 8-12 weeks in order to identify the actual cause of your dog’s allergies. A proper elimination diet will not contain any ingredients that your pet has eaten before that are usually exotic protein like kangaroo, crocodile or others. It also requires that no other food, treats or supplements be fed to your dog during this period.

Of course, make sure to consult your vet prior to administering this type of diet as they will be able to guide you more closely on what you need to do.

If you are able to identify your dog’s food allergies, You can then transition your pup to a diet that’s better for your dog such as NutraGold’s Holistic Lamb & Rice Dog Food, as long as it doesn’t contain any ingredients that you have identified to be causing a reaction. High quality diets like these are formulated specially for dogs with food allergies, making it a great choice for your dog.

3 Common Skin Conditions in Dogs

#3 Dog Flea and Ticks

Flea and ticks can also affect your dog’s skin. When these tiny parasites bite and suck on your dog’s skin, they leave dirt and saliva on and inside your dog’s body, causing allergic responses. Flea and tick infestations can be hard to get rid of as they can survive almost anywhere.

It’s absolutely vital to vacuum your house regularly and wash your dog’s bed.

If your pup does come down with a case of flea or ticks, spray them down with Richard’s Organic Dog Flea and Ticks Spray. These types of sprays are gentle on you and your dog, while killing and repelling fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. This particular spray will also help soothe your pup’s irritated skin, preventing them from scratching too hard.

3 Common Skin Conditions in Dogs

Chronic skin inflammations can be extremely uncomfortable for your pup. Can you imagine being in a constant state of itchiness? Thankfully, with patience, strict routines and supplements, poor dog skin conditions can be cured and prevented, making life easier and more enjoyable for you and your pup.

Join our discussions on GDP Consult if you have more questions about skin allergies in dogs - our Pet Wellness Advisor, Katherine Khoo is on call and ready to talk to you all about it!


Tammi Chng
TAMMI CHNG
Tammi is an avid writer, but especially loves learning and writing about animals! She spends her free time visiting cat cafes, playing video games and having plenty of cuddle time with her pup.

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