How To Prevent And Treat Dachshund Skin Issues

Is your Dachshund constantly licking and itching?  Do they have a rash on their skin?  Dachshunds are more susceptible to various food and environmental allergies than other dog breeds, which causes multiple skin issues.

To Prevent And Treat Dachshund Skin Issues, you need to find the underlying cause and start using the ultimate secret weapon for itchy skin relief – find out below!

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Common Causes Of Skin Issues

Food and Environmental Allergies generally go hand in hand with many skin issues.  If your Dachshund is suffering from flaky skin, itchy rashes, hair loss, small bumps, or scabs… it’s time to look for the real cause of their skin condition.  Here are a few things that may be happening.

Bugs:

Scabies (aka: Mange): The most common cause of severe itchy skin is Scabies.  Small red spots, caused by tiny mite bites, can be found on your dog’s ears, elbows or back legs.  The tips of the ears can develop a crusty appearance.  These little bugs are spread from other infected animals and their bedding.

Fleas: If your dog’s itching and biting around their tail or hindquarters, that is usually a sure sign of Fleas!  Fleas are tiny, shiny little bugs that can jump like grasshoppers. If you don’t treat your dog for fleas, then Flea Allergy Dermatitis can set in.  This is a very itchy and bumpy rash that develops around the dog’s arm pits and inner thighs.

Ticks: Blood sucking arachnids that love to attach to your dog and engorge themselves.  These nasty critters can carry and spread several diseases when latching onto your dog’s skin. Luckily, Fleas and Ticks can be easily prevented with some powerful flea and tick control through your pet store or veterinarian. 

Related Post: Scary Tick Facts Every Dachshund Owner Should Know

Food Allergies:

Processed dog foods include additives, food coloring, and preservatives which can cause many allergy issues.  As far as ingredients: corn, wheat (gluten), soy, dairy, beef, and chicken are the biggest food allergy culprits.

Smaller dog breeds, like Dachshunds, have a harder time digesting starchy vegetables like corn and carrots.  Unfortunately, corn is a very common filler ingredient in dog food. 

Always check your dog food label and avoid foods that use starchy fillers in the first 5 ingredients.

Food Allergy Symptoms In Dogs

• Itching
• Sneezing
• Itchy paws
• Constant licking
• Hot spots
• Scaly skin
• Pink colored skin, Rash
• Elephant skin texture
• Eye discharge
• Red eyes
• Hair loss
• Ear infections
• Yeast infections on the skin or ears

Did you know that some Dachshunds can outgrow allergies that affect them as puppies? 

As your dog grows, their immune system gets stronger.  On the other hand, some allergies can unfortunately worsen with age and cause more severe reactions…I know, that’s not the greatest news!

My Dog’s Personal Experience

My dog, Artemus, was severely allergic to anything Beef Flavored…and we found out the hard way.  We bought him a beef flavored bone from the store and the next day he was vomiting, licking and itching his paws.  His face was severely bloated like a balloon.  That was a pretty clear indication that beef was one of his allergies.  We felt terrible!

What Is The Most Common Food Allergy In Dogs?

Top Dog Food Allergens (source: BMC Veterinary Research)

Grain-Free Dog Food

There is a lot of hype out there about switching dogs to Grain-free dog food to help with allergy issues.  Grain-free is not always the safest route to take.  My veterinarian warned me that this type of food can cause serious heart issues in dogs.  Please read more about Grain-Free Dog Food Risks.

Sticking with a “limited ingredient” dog food or making your dog’s food at home is a much safer option if your dog has severe food allergies.

Seasonal Allergies:

If your dog tends to lick or itch during certain times of the year, they may have an Inhalation Allergy or Canine Atopy. 

Symptoms include itching, rubbing their face, and licking their paws.  This is caused by seasonal pollen. It is a lot like hay fever for people.  Instead of respiratory problems, doxies are more affected with itchy and inflamed skin issues.

The Dachshund dog breed is more likely to be affected by seasonal pollen than other dog breeds.  Think about it, Dachshunds are lower to the ground.  Their bellies, paws, and arms are all exposed to grass, carpets, dusty floors, etc.. making it more likely to cause skin irritation or allergies.

Swimming:

Pool chemicals, like chlorine, can cause your dog’s skin to dry out and have a nasty itch.  Bacteria and parasites from natural water sources, like creeks or ponds, can cause itchy skin and disease.

Always rinse your Dachshund off with clean water after swimming in a pool or a natural water source.  After my dogs enjoy a day at the creek, I always rinsed off their paws, bellies, and fur coats with the garden hose (as long as it’s not too cold).

Sunburn:

Don’t let your dog spend to much time out in the sun on those hot summer days.  Just like humans, dog’s can get a painful sunburn too.  This not only causes sore, itchy, and cracked skin…it can also lead to skin cancer. Luckily, there are some easy ways you can Protect Your Dachshund From The Sun.

How To Prevent Dachshund Skin Issues:

How To Treat Dachshund Skin Issues:

Look no further!  The ultimate solutions (secret weapons) to your Dachshund’s Skin Issues can be found in this list.

Common Skin Conditions In Dachshunds

Acanthosis Nigricans:

Acanthosis Nigricans is a skin condition mainly found in the Dachshund dog breed. Usually, this disorder will show signs before the doxie’s first birthday.  Symptoms include darkening and thickening of the skin, bacterial skin infections, and hair loss.

The skin may feel greasy to the touch or appear flaky.  This condition may spread all over the Dachshund’s body overtime.  If your Dachshund has this condition, your vet can prescribe special dog shampoos and medications to treat the symptoms.

Yeast Infection:

Unfortunately, that constant licking your Dachshund is doing to his paws or skin can make them more susceptible to a yeast infection.

What is a yeast infection of the skin?  Also called Malassezia Dermatitis, a yeast infection of the skin can look like a pink rash, which can then develop into thickened elephant skin.

The yeast thrives in a warm and wet environment.  Unfortunately, a yeast infection causes more itching and can turn your dog’s skin crusty and even have a stinky smell to it.  Consult your vet for medicated dog shampoo and anti-fungal medication to help get rid of the yeast infection.

Hypothyroidism:

Older Dachshunds can develop Hypothyroidism.  This is when the thyroid glands aren’t producing enough hormones.  Symptoms include itchy and dry skin, frequent skin infections, thickening and discoloration of the skin, and hair loss.

Other symptoms include ear infections, lethargy, and even changes in their behavior. Consult your vet, they do have treatments that can help you dog with this disease.