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Itching

Maltipoo Itching Issues

Overview

Itching is one of the most common yet complex problems seen with dogs, the Maltipoo included. Itching can come and go throughout the year, be chronic, have varying secondary symptoms, be limited to just one part of the body (like the paws) or be a full-body issue, and can range from mile to severe. 

Fortunately, even when the underlying trigger is not known, it’s possible to provide fast relief from even intense itching. And with just a bit of work, all common causes of itching can be reduced or fully eliminated. 

Primary and Secondary Symptoms 

The main symptoms of itching are fairly straightforward:

• Scratching
• Self-licking or biting
• Rubbing against objects

Some secondary symptoms that may or may not be present include:

• Rash
• Hives
• Inflamed skin
• Dry, flaking skin
• Skin scales or scabs

Top Causes for Itching

There are a wide range of reasons why a Maltipoo may be itchy. The #1 most common cause is some sort of allergy. And it should be noted that dogs can grow in and out of allergies so this can manifest at any time. Common types of allergies include food, contact, airborne (pollen or grasses) and dust mites.

Other top causes include dry skin (common in the winter), sun damaged skin (common with light-colored dogs that spend time outdoors in the summer), yeast or bacterial skin infection, and fleas. 

Less common but possible causes include skin infections and conditions such as skin mites, mange, scabies, and acral lick dermatitis, and health issues including Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, and canine diabetes.

How to Help a Maltipoo with Itching, Step #1, Providing Fast Relief 

The first goal is to stop itching so that a Maltipoo can get relief from the discomfort. There are several ways to stop itching with topicals. Let’s take a look. 

Anti-itch sprays. Sprays are almost always a good choice since these can be applied without touching sensitive skin, are easy to use, can be used on just about any part of the body (other than the face), and can be found in both all-natural and non-medicated formulas. 

One of the most effective sprays to help stop itching is Bodhi Dog Anti Itch Spray which contains a blend of baking soda and colloidal oatmeal which are two excellent anti-itch natural remedies. This works immediately upon applying and can be used multiple times per day.
In cases of severely irritated skin and very intense itching, a medicated spray is an option, but it is recommended to use these with veterinary supervision. One such as Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Spray contains hydrocortisone (a topical medication that works against itching, inflammation, and redness), lidocaine (a topical numbing agent to help with discomfort), and allantoin (for moisturizing). 
Anti-itch shampoos can also help. This allows for full-body soaks (or even paw soaks) in soothing ingredients and can often be used alongside a spray. An effective and restorative shampoo for Maltipoos with chronic itching is Bodhi Dog All Natural Anti Itch Shampoo which contains a blend of colloidal oatmeal, baking soda, aloe vera, and coconut oil, alongside other natural and plant-based ingredients. Although it's normally recommended to give a Maltipoo a full bath once every 3 weeks, this can be used as often as every day for the first week, then 2 to 3 times a week for the next couple of weeks. 
And for suspected or known skin yeast infections (bad odor, oily skin, possible scaling), bacterial infections, and especially in cases of rashes or hot spots, another option is Moosh Natural Dog Shampoo. This has a unique blend including bentonite clay, shea butter, argan oil, aloe vera, coconut oil, olive oil, rosemary, and sunflower oil. This is typically used several times a week for the first week and 1 to 2 times per week for the following two to three weeks. 

How to Help a Maltipoo with Itching, Step #2, Removing the Trigger

For anything other than acute instances, it is important to try to remove the trigger that is causing the itching; if not, anti-itch products would need to be used indefinitely. 

Even if you are not sure what the underlying problem is, following these guidelines will help resolve the most common causes. 
For Itching Linked to Irritations or Allergies: 
1. Offer all-natural, additive-free meals and snacks. There is a large array of dog food additives that can cause itching and other allergic responses and of the hundreds of dog food brands that exist, the majority contains at least some of these top culprits: Synthetic preservatives, food coloring dyes, flavor enhancers (including MSG), soy, high grain counts, and high filler count. 

Opt for all-natural kibble such as Wellness CORE Natural for Small Breeds that is preserved with a vitamin blend and without any artificial additives. 
And don’t forget about snacks and treats, which often make up 20 to 30% of a dog’s diet and should be held to the same high standards. All-natural goodies like Spot Farms All Natural Human Grade Dog Treats can offer lots of flavor while avoiding all of the top allergy triggers. 
#2. Wipe your Maltipoo down when entering the house. When a dog goes outside, their coat is a magnet for all sorts of allergens and irritants including pollen, grasses, lawn care products, and more. Many of these elements are at a peak during the spring and summer. Use a grooming wipe like Earthbath All Natural Grooming Wipes to thoroughly wipe the body down after being outside. Wash the paws off with an outdoor hose (weather permitting) or in a sink or tub. 
#3. Apply a paw wax. A quality paw wax can help in several ways. It will serve as a barrier against contact allergens and irritants (lawn care chemicals, ice-melt products, fine sand and gravel, etc.) and it has the added benefits of keeping paw pads properly moisturized and giving a dog good traction. A wax like Musher's Secret Pet Paw Protection Wax should be applied every 7 days. 
#4. Keep dust mites away. This is a common issue. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that feed off of dead skin cells (what dust is mainly comprised of) from both humans and animals. It actually the mite’s feces that people and dogs can be allergic to. 

Dust mites live in pillows, soft-covered furniture, mattresses and bedding. Steps to reduce dust mite populations includes washing bedding (including your Maltipoo’s dog bed cover), small toss pillows, and other washables in hot water (at least 140 F). Certain non-washables can be vacuumed with a HEPA vacuum. There are also dust mite pillow cases and mattress covers that can be used.  
#5. Filter the air in your house. If your home has a central air system, use HEPA filters with a MERV rating of at least 10, and ideally 12, to trap pollen, mold spores, dust, and bacteria. Another option is to use air purifiers that run true HEPA filters such as the Medify MA-14 HEPA Air Purifier. 
#6 Check for other contact irritants. A Maltipoo puppy or dog can be allergic to a number of materials that are in everyday items. Plastic is a top one, so do not use plastic food and water bowls and avoid plastic toys. Wash any doggie clothing with hypoallergenic soap. Do not use deodorizing powders on carpeting or chemical cleaners where your Maltipoo has access. 
For Itching Linked to Dry Skin: 
Dry skin with dogs is most common in the late fall and winter since cold air is very arid and heating it up only makes things worse. 

#1. Set up humidifiers in the house, with a goal of 40% humidity. It’s best to cover all square footage with multiple devices. If you have just one humidifier, place this near your Maltipoo’s sleeping area. 

#2. Keep your Maltipoo’s skin properly moisturized by using only all-natural shampoos with no parabens, no soaping agents (look for plant-based cleansers) with a pH between 6 and 7.
#3 Apply a cream or lotion to restore dry skin. For relatively fast improvement, moderate to severe cases of dry skin often require a quality moisturizing topical. Look for all-natural products with soothing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or aloe vera. For intense treatment, ResQ Organics Pet Skin Treatment contains all 3 of those moisturizing ingredients, along with Manuka Honey, olive oil, hemp seed oil, and other natural ingredients. 
Assess for a Possible Flea Problem: 
It’s not always obvious that a dog has fleas. These pesky critters live on a dog’s skin, under the coat. When hairs are parted, they may jump away so quickly that they are not spotted. So, this should not be ruled out. 

Aside from often frantic itching, some telltale signs of fleas include black specks on a dog’s skin (this is flea feces) and red specks on a paper towel that’s run over carpeting (this is blood from dead fleas that fell to the floor). 

Permanently getting rid of fleas takes some work. A dog needs to be treated with a topical and the house (and sometimes surrounding yard) needs to be treated too. Note that flea treatment can be very harsh; you may want to first try all-natural remedies such as TropiClean Natural Flea and Tick Shampoo. 
Assess for a Possible Yeast or Fungi Skin Infection:  
Chronic itching that also has the symptoms of a strong musty smell (pungent corn chip smell or a ‘wet sock’ odor) and sometimes with oily skin or coat and/or skin scales may be due to an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast.  

This can sometimes be treated at home (see previous Step #1, Providing Fast Relief); though caution should be taken with medicated anti-fungal shampoos since these can be harsh on the skin and especially if yeast is not present. In some cases, prescribed topical treatments and/or oral medications will be needed. 

A Final Word

Many cases of itchiness with lots of scratching, biting, or pawing can be resolved from home. But it’s important to seek veterinary care for unresponsive or severe cases. If your Maltipoo has an itching issue that does not respond to anti-itch sprays and shampoos or does not improve when steps are taken to reduce triggers, this warrants a vet checkup. Also, very severe itching, with or without other symptoms, should always be diagnosed by a veterinarian. 
Other Helpful Articles: 
How to Keep a Maltipoo Clean - If you have a dog that seems to be constantly dirty, see these easy tips for keeping your little guy or gal clean in between baths. 
Home Cooking for a Maltipoo - If you've ever thought about moving away from processed food for your dog or you've been doing this for a while and are looking for new recipes, you'll find some great tips here. 
Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Products for a Maltipoo - The emphasis here is on no-chemical options since pesticides can cause a wide range of issues. Read how to protect your puppy or dog while using all-natural products. 
When a Maltipoo has Allergies - Allergies can be very tricky to both diagnose and treat. See our tips to help with allergies and offer immediate relief for symptoms including severe itching. 
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