My first experience with skin problems in Dachshunds was with my first Dachshund, Chester.
Because he was my first adult dog, I didn’t know how often to bathe him and just assumed he needed to be bathed frequently. After every bath, he would get itchy and his skin would get dry and flaky for a few days, and for a while I didn’t understand what that was.
If you have an itchy Dachshund, you know how uncomfortable and frustrating skin problems can be for your dog, and how annoying the constant scratching can be.
While any dog can have skin problems, Dachshunds are known to suffer from a few specific issues: In fact, skin problems are one of the biggest health concerns for Dachshunds.
The good news is that many of the causes of red, inflamed, bumpy or itchy skin in Dachshunds can be effectively treated, managed, or even prevented from developing altogether.
The first thing you should do is identify the cause, that is, you need to learn more about how skin problems develop and how to reduce the possible causes.
Signs and Symptoms of Skin Problems
If your Dachshund is experiencing a skin imbalance or irritation, he may at the very least feel “off” or uncomfortable. If the skin condition becomes more severe, it can affect your dog’s overall health and lead to behavioral issues such as biting and aggression.
Signs and symptoms associated with the most common Dachshund skin problems include:
- Excessive itching or scratching
- Easily irritated or excited
- Difficulty settling down
- Dry skin
- rash
- Red swelling
- Wounds and skin damage
- Dry skin (dandruff)
- Hair loss (localized or widespread)
It’s normal for Dachshunds to scratch from time to time, and sometimes we just need to scratch an itchy spot.
However, if the itching is severe and doesn’t seem to go away, you may need to look into it a little more.
The 3 most common skin conditions in Dachshunds
I’m not a veterinarian, but I’ve seen over 1,000 dachshunds over the past 20 years, so I know the trends.
In my experience, these are the most common issues owners ask about.
1) Dry, itchy skin
It is normal for your Dachshund’s skin to become somewhat dry and flaky.
Similar to my experience with my first Dachshund, the most common cause is overbathing.
The skin develops its own protective barrier and produces natural oils to stay moisturized. Bathing your Dachshund too frequently, even if you use a gentle shampoo, can remove the oils and compromise the skin barrier.
Another common cause of dry, flaky skin in dogs is allergies, which can be environmental (to things around them) or dietary (to food).
Dogs can be allergic to pollen, dust, grass, feathers, and flea saliva. They can absorb or inhale allergens through their skin.
Other causes of dry, flaky and itchy skin in Dachshunds can include sunburn or more complex illnesses, such as: Seborrhea.
What it does:
For short term solutions, try distracting your dog from scratching the area, or you can use a medicine cone or sweater to discourage your dog from scratching that particular spot.
Next, we identify the cause, usually by a method of elimination if the symptoms appear mild.
Of course, if the symptoms are severe, you should take your dog to a vet right away so they can diagnose the condition and recommend a treatment.
The first thing I do at home to improve my dog’s skin condition is look back at how often I bathe my dog. If I bathe them more frequently than once every 1-3 months, I’ll try reducing the frequency and see if that helps.
I also started adding oils to my diet that help hydrate the skin from the inside out. The omega oils I tend to use are fish (salmon, pollock, sardines, etc.) and krill oil, but plant-based alternatives like coconut, marine microalgae and camelina also work well.
Next, pay attention to when the itching occurs most frequently.
- Is that something that happens all the time or does it happen mainly after you go out?
- Does it happen after the dog walks or rolls on the grass?
- Has my dog been exposed to irritating substances such as fertilizer, rock salt, or antifreeze?
- Are there any other patterns you can discern?
If the itching occurs mainly on the paws and walking outside seems to make the condition worse, consider protecting your dog’s paws with booties.
My final “home remedy” is to switch my dog’s food and treats to eliminate all chicken and chicken by-products (the most common allergen for dogs) If this is the cause, it may take up to 3 months to see a change.
Note: The next most common food allergen is beef, so we recommend eliminating both at the same time or trying beef next.
If your Dachshund’s skin is still dry, flaky, and itchy, your next veterinarian appointment should be.
Your veterinarian can examine your dog, help figure out what’s going on, and recommend treatments, which may include medicated shampoos, topical treatments, or medications.
2) Alopecia (hair loss)
My dachshund’s itchy skin has been cured by bathing him less often, changing his diet and adding omega oils to his food, but his chest remains bare. year.
There are two main causes of hair loss in dogs.
Pigmented alopecia
Alopecia pigmentosa is characterised by thinning or patchy hair loss, typically on the back or chest or over most of the body.
This is a genetic condition that is more common in light-colored Dachshunds, such as Blue (light black) and Isabella (light chocolate).
Vertex alopecia
Ear alopecia, or baldness, in dogs is a non-inflammatory form of hair loss that affects the visible parts of the external ear. It is most common in Dachshunds and can cause the skin to darken in the areas where hair has fallen out.
It is characterized by symmetrical hair loss on both ears and usually begins within the first year of life.
The good news is that this condition is mostly harmless and merely a cosmetic issue — it’s not known to cause pain, itching, or any other discomfort.
Hair breakage
This was the problem with my dachshund: he wasn’t actually completely bald — you could see the stubble embedded in his skin (like a 5 o’clock shadow) — but he had hair visibly growing out from his skin.
Sudden hair breakage can be caused by allergies, skin infections, demodicosis (scabies), seasonal shedding, parasites, hormones, etc. These causes often show other symptoms besides hair loss and breakage.
But with him, it had been going on since he was a puppy. He was my first dog and I didn’t understand anything about dog nutrition, so I just thought that was just how he was. And then I was like, “Ahaha!”
I switched my dog from dry food to raw beef and within 6 weeks his fur started growing back. I couldn’t believe it! It was then that I discovered the hair loss was due to a food allergy and nutritional deficiencies.
An unhealthy diet can cause hair loss in dogs, as hair follicles require a constant supply of nutrients to become established.
What to do:
If your Dachshund is bald, his skin will be more susceptible to skin infections that may require antibiotics.
Unfortunately, alopecia areata is hereditary and therefore cannot be prevented, and the best “defense” against the disease is to only obtain your alopecia Dachshund from a reputable breeder who has tested for the disease.
Very little is known about alopecia, including what causes it or how to prevent it.
For balding dogs, some vets recommend giving them a daily dose of melatonin. There isn’t much scientific evidence that melatonin stimulates hair regrowth, but there is some anecdotal evidence. When my dachshund, Gretel, started to lose her hair, melatonin definitely helped.
Adding omega oils to your diet and applying coconut oil to hair-removing areas can help keep exposed skin moisturized and healthy.
If your dog’s hair is breaking off and bald spots are becoming more noticeable, try changing his diet. I’m not saying that switching to raw dog food will solve the problem, but it worked for my dachshund. I’m not 100% sure why, but I think he was allergic to something in regular dog food and wasn’t getting enough nutrients.
If you’re concerned about your dog’s baldness or if it’s causing other problems, consult your veterinarian.
3) Yeast and Bacterial Infections
These two issues are almost always secondary and occur due to another skin problem.
Yeast overgrowth
Yeast on the skin is normal and doesn’t usually cause problems in healthy dogs, but yeast overgrowth can lead to skin infections.
Yeast infections are most commonly found in the ears, but can be found anywhere on your Dachshund’s body.
Symptoms of a yeast infection include an unpleasant odor, rash, thickened skin, and excessive itching.
Bacterial folliculitis
This skin infection begins in the hair follicles and causes itchy, swollen, crusty areas on your dog’s skin.
These symptoms are easy to spot in short-haired Dachshunds, but it can be harder to spot the problem in short- or long-haired dogs.
What to do
Resolving these symptoms usually requires medical attention.
Yeast infections can be caused by food-related skin allergies in your Dachshund, so try the allergy suggestions in the section above.
Yeast overgrowth can also be caused by hormonal imbalances, a reaction to diabetes, or water buildup in the ear canal or skin folds.
To treat a bacterial infection, your dog will need medical treatment, which may include oral antibiotics, antibacterial shampoos, or topical ointments.
When does a Dachshund’s skin problem require vet care?
If your dog’s skin condition can be described as mild discomfort or irritation, you may be able to treat it at home.
Try the above suggestions to eliminate and identify the source of the irritation in the first place.
If your dog’s skin irritation doesn’t improve or gets worse, you should seek professional help.
Your veterinarian may be able to prescribe medication that will provide immediate symptom relief while addressing the underlying cause of the problem.
This is especially important if you notice any open wounds or abrasions that could become infected.
The sooner you can find out the cause of your Dachshund’s skin problems, the sooner you can address any serious issues and give your dog peace of mind.
lastly
Many of the common skin problems in Dachshunds, if they are mild, can be prevented or treated at home with a little preparation.
Make sure to feed your dog omega oils and apply coconut oil topically as needed to keep his skin barrier healthy and moisturized.
Try to identify if your dog has allergies to anything in the environment or to food.
If a food allergy is suspected, switch to a restricted ingredient diet that includes a single protein source other than chicken.
Ensure your dog does not suffer from nutritional deficiencies by feeding a high-quality, breed-appropriate diet approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Reduce the risk of unwanted visitors by administering regular flea and tick prevention, especially if your Dachshund spends much of his time outdoors, hiking, camping, or at dog parks.
Finally, when choosing products that your dog will come into contact with in any way, be sure to choose all-natural options. This includes products like dog shampoos, laundry detergents, and household cleaners.
Regularly scan your skin and body for any signs that worry you. If you notice any, address them straight away and don’t put it off – these conditions are much easier to treat if they are in their early stages.
