Why Is My Dog Itching After Grooming?

The Short Answer is:

The soft, warm, and slightly oily skin of your dog makes it susceptible to many kinds of infections. A variety of bacteria and yeast are likely to cause canine “itchy bumps” on their skin after grooming. To begin with, you should bring your dog to a vet to make sure this isn’t an active infection.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Why Is My Dog Itching After Grooming?“.

It is fundamentally important for our dogs to be comfortable when they are groomed apart from looking beautiful.

Consequently when they return from grooming and are clearly uncomfortable it is upsetting to say the least. 

According to the American Grooming Association a grooming session will cost on average $51– although in some states like Maryland Pennsylvania and Virginia it will cost more than $60.

It is understandable that you are annoyed in many ways.

The purpose of this article is to explain why some dogs experience intense itching after grooming sessions. 

In this article I will explain in detail several reasons why this might occur. 

Is there a main reason for this?

Three Main Reasons That Dogs Might Itch After Grooming

Several factors can cause a dog to itch after grooming. Some of the most common are listed below:

Razor Burn

Any grooming tool can cause razor burn which is a common problem for most dogs.

A dull blade or too short a coat causes this problem.

In most cases razor burn appears as patches of redness on the coat usually around the shoulders belly and legs.

Especially if your dogs coat is thick and needs to be trimmed more often this often happens when you clip your dog too close to the skin.

Its easy to spot since it looks like raw skin; it does not grow hair until its healed.

It is always a good idea to check with your veterinarian before shaving your dog especially if he has sensitive skin or if you are not sure how much fur should be removed.

Coarse Hairs Causing Friction

Itching can result from friction caused by coarse or curly hair on your dogs skin.

Using scissors instead of clippers when trimming your dogs coat or shaving your dog too short can cause coarse hairs to rub against one another.

In order to relieve the irritation your dog will scratch himself excessively as a way to relieve the friction from this rubbing.

The best way to solve this problem is to use conditioner on your dogs coat before bathing or brushing it. Conditioner helps soften the coat and reduce friction between the skin and hair.

General Irritation

Depending on how you groom your dog or if your dog has an allergy or skin condition this can occur.

It is possible for your dog to have an upset stomach after being groomed if he or she is allergic to something in the shampoo or conditioner used.

Bark Butter is an all-natural product but your dog may still react to it if he has an allergic reaction to it.

Itching after bathing your dog may be caused by a different brand of shampoo. Try switching brands and see if this helps.

You may want to try using olive oil as a moisturizer instead of shampoo or conditioner until you find something that works for you both.

Four Quick Fixes The Dog Owner Can Do To Stop The Itching?

Yes of course! There are plenty of steps you can take at home to make your dog feel better. There are several possible options including:

Chamomile And Herbal Tea Soaks

In dogs with itchy skin chamomile is a soothing gentle herbal remedy.

Your dogs discomfort can be reduced by chamomiles anti-inflammatory properties. At your local pet store you can purchase chamomile spray or lotion or make chamomile tea.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Itchy Dogs

Dogs may benefit from apple cider vinegar as a natural remedy for itchiness.

The antibacterial and antifungal properties of malic acid in apple cider vinegar help treat yeast infections in dogs.

To relieve yeast infection itching give your dog two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar diluted in water several times per day.

Oatmeal Bath For Itchy Dogs

It is an excellent option for dogs suffering from skin allergies to take an oatmeal bath.

Adding rolled oats to boiling water is the best way to make this.

Drain the oats and place them in a tub of lukewarm water after steeping them for 10 minutes.

Make sure you rub the oatmeal gently all over your dog paying special attention to his belly ears and paws.

You can also rub oatmeal into your dogs coat if he isnot comfortable with this treatment.

Sugar-Free Plain Yogurt

Dogs’ digestive tracts benefit from plain yogurt because it contains probiotics.

In addition to boosting their immune system probiotics may reduce the amount of yeast in their bodies which causes them to itch more frequently.

In the event they start itching again you might want to give them this instead of antibiotics.

Until the itching completely stops or significantly decreases you could give them plain yogurt instead of antibiotics every day.

What are the main areas on the body that a dog might itch?

Itching can occur in many places on a dogs body. Areas most commonly affected include:

Face

It is possible that dogs with dry noses and skin may be allergic to dust mites.

There is a good chance your dog has an allergy problem if it rubs its face on the floor or furniture.

Belly

Dogs can develop hives on their bellies as a result of allergies.

Usually round or oval these hives look like small red bumps.

When your dog scratches itself in certain areas of its body it might have hives which might indicate that the dog has fleas or other conditions that cause itching under its skin such as mange.

Paws

You’re likely to see your dog shake his feet after using brushes or combs on his paws and legs. Some dogs scratch their paws later on but this is normal behavior.

You might want to try a different brush or comb if this happens.

Apart From Itching What Other Behaviors Might A Dog “Show” to Indicate That They Are Uncomfortable After A Grooming Session?

There are a number of behaviors that can be displayed by a dog who is uncomfortable with its grooming experience such as:

Signs Of Aggression

It is common for dogs to show signs of aggression after being groomed if they are uncomfortable.

They can growl at you bite you or even bite other animals around them especially other dogs if you attempt to touch them in certain areas.

Some dogs may become withdrawn around their owners and not want any human contact; this is especially common among smaller breeds of dogs.

Panting And Drooling

Usually drooling and panting are caused by pain but they can also be triggered by anxiety.

If your dog shows these signs after grooming sessions try to figure out what happened during the grooming process that might have upset them.

If they have a bad grooming experience with you or another person such as being pulled into an uncomfortable position by pulling on their legs or tail they may become fearful of future grooming sessions.

Could Your Dog Be Allergic To One Of The Products Used By The Groomer?

Below is a list of some common ingredients used in shampoos.

These are not comprehensive lists but a sampling of some of the most common ingredients in pet shampoos.

The following are some examples of shampoo ingredients:

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

In many products including shampoos this ingredient acts as a defoamer. It can cause skin irritation in dogs but it is usually not a problem unless they have sensitive skin or use it every day. Your dog might be experiencing itching after his last bath if he has been getting regular baths with SLS. Try using a different brand of shampoo with fewer chemicals or better yet wash him only once every week or two without soap and water. You are less likely to have problems with SLS-related irritation if you bathe your dog less frequently.

Propylene Glycol

During shipment or storage this ingredient prevents the product from freezing. If used too frequently or in combination with other propylene glycol products it can cause skin irritation.

Conditioners

In addition to detangling fur and making it shiny and soft conditioners prevent matting and tangling which can lead to more breakage and shedding. Many conditioners contain silicone and mineral oil which can irritate some dogs if applied too frequently.

Supposing That The Itching Wasn’t Caused By The Grooming? What Are The Main Reasons That Dogs Itch?

Itching in dogs can be caused by several factors but parasitic bites are the most common. Fleas and ticks are the most common parasitic bites that cause itching in dogs. It is also possible for flea allergies to cause severe skin irritation and hair loss. There are some breeds of dogs more prone to flea bites than others but any dog can be affected.

There are many diseases carried by ticks including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Although most tick bites do not cause significant skin irritation or hair loss they can be quite painful if they attach themselves to your dogs skin. You should remove a tick from your dog by grasping it with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pulling it straight up with steady pressure until the tick releases its grip. You should never use petroleum jelly or any other substance for tick removal. These products make it easier for ticks to remain attached.

There are also other causes of itching such as:

• Allergies
• Skin infections

Can You Groom Your Dog?

Yes of course! It is possible to groom your dog but you need to be prepared. In addition to saving you money grooming your dog can help you bond with him. It would not be a problem for you to groom your pet if you have ever brushed or combed them. There is not much grooming required for most dogs and they only need to be groomed every few months at most.

There are a number of factors that affect the cost of grooming equipment including the type and number of tools you need. You only need shampoo and a brush or two to wash and blow dry a small breed dog. However if you plan to give large breed dogs a full bath and style their hair according to their coat type and length you’ll need more than just shampoo and a brush!

The only tools you need to groom a short-haired pet are a brush and a comb. Medium-length coats may require scissors and clippers and long-haired dogs usually require more supplies during shedding season because they shed heavily. Depending on the equipment costs can range from $11 to $23.

As a dog groomer you will need to train for about 6 to 10 weeks. Apprenticeship programs are required during which you work under a certified master groomers supervision.

To become licensed you must pass a state exam after completing your training.

Conclusion

The soft warm and slightly oily skin of your dog makes it susceptible to many kinds of infections. A variety of bacteria and yeast are likely to cause canine “itchy bumps” on their skin after grooming. To begin with you should bring your dog to a vet to make sure this isnot an active infection. However many dogs can simply be washed down with dish soap after that or they can be treated at home with anti-fungal shampoo.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.