Our pets are just like us: cranky if they don’t get enough sleep, hangry if it goes too long between meals, and cuddly when the mood strikes them. Just like us, our pets can experience a range of skin problems. Most pet skin problems are easy to spot, manage and treat, although the earlier you treat them the better as untreated skin problems can lead to other health problems.

Learn about the 6 common pet skin problems and how to treat them.

1. Dry or flaky skin

Although dry or flaky skin doesn’t sound so bad, if you’ve ever experienced it you’ll know that the itchiness and discomfort can be really annoying. It’s the same for your pet: the constant need to itch can cause them to scratch all the time, which can lead to hair loss and skin damage. Dry skin can be caused by everyday things in our environment - harsh soaps or shampoos, cold weather or a diet not rich enough in nutrients can all irritate your pet’s skin.

Sometimes dry skin can be a symptom of another medical problem, like allergies, parasites or even hypothyroidism.

How to treat it:

• • Visit your vet first, who can rule out an underlying health condition.
  • Then try swapping out environmental irritants. Try hypoallergenic pet food or food that’s specially formulated to support healthy skin.
  • You can also swap out your current pet shampoo for a gentler, more sensitive one.
  • Make one change at a time and give it a week or 2 to see if you notice a difference, rather than changing everything at once.

2. Allergy-induced skin rash

Like humans, pets can experience allergies. They can be allergic to environmental things, like insects, dust or pollen, as well as grooming products and food. Sometimes allergies cause skin problems, including rashes or itchy, flaky, red skin. The best thing to do is take your pet to the vet, who can work out if allergies are to blame.

How to treat it:

• • Your vet might prescribe medication.
  • Try to keep your home as allergen-free as possible: vacuum and mop floors and dust regularly to get rid of dust, mites, pollen and shed hair. Wash their bedding regularly too.
  • Consider switching to allergy-friendly pet food.

3. Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungus that affects pets’ hair, skin or nails. It’s easy to spot the signs of a pet with ringworm: a round, red, raised ring around the infected area, hair loss, brittle or broken nails and scabby areas of skin. Ringworm is easily treatable but it spreads quickly, which is why it’s important to take your pet to the vet immediately if you think they’ve got ringworm.

How to treat it:

• • Take your pet to the vet who can prescribe the right medications to treat it.
  • There are some medicated shampoos you can try which can relieve your pet’s symptoms.

4. Yeast infection

Yeast loves to grow in warm, damp places which is why you’ll usually see signs of a yeast infection in your pet’s paws or ears. A pet with a yeast infection will have itchy, irritated or discoloured skin. If it’s in their ears, you might see them shaking their head or pawing at their ears.

How to treat it:

• • Your vet can prescribe a cream or medications to clear it up.
  • Make sure you regularly clean your pet's ear with damp cloth or wet wipes

5. Mange

Mange is caused by tiny parasitic mites. You can tell if your pet has mange if they develop areas of patchy hair loss, especially around their face. Other signs of mange include itching or scratching, open sores or scabs, and crusty or thick areas of skin.

There are 2 types of mange:

1. 1. Mange caused by mites that burrow under the surface of their skin. This type is really contagious and passes easily between wildlife, dogs and cats - and even onto you (it’s normally called scabies in humans).
   2. Mange caused by mites that live in your pet’s hair follicles. This is also called red or demodectic mange and it’s the most common type in dogs.

How to treat it:

• • Take your pet to the vet pronto. They’ll need medicated creams, shampoos or soaps and possibly oral medication too.

6. Flea

Another tiny pest, fleas can make your pet’s life a misery, causing them to scratch endlessly. Flea bites look like red circles on your pet’s (or your) skin. You might also be able to see flea eggs in their coat. Fleas feed off blood so if left untreated, too many fleas can cause blood loss, anaemia and other health problems.

How to treat it:

• • Prevention is the key to stopping fleas in their tracks. Make sure you regularly use flea treatments for your cat or your dog on your pet to stop them getting fleas in the first place.
  • If your pet does develop fleas, a trip to the vet will get rid of them. You’ll also want to thoroughly clean your home to remove as many fleas and their eggs as possible.

We hope this helps you keep your pet’s skin happy and healthy! If you’ve got a question we haven’t answered, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz.