Why does my Rottweiler keep itching?

If your Rottweiler keeps itching, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it.

In this post, I will show you a number of reasons why it might be itching itself and what you can do to stop it.

So, why does my Rottweiler keep itching itself? Possible reasons are that it has allergies, fleas, it is a compulsive behavior, anxiety, something being stuck in its fur or it could have just been itchy at the time.

Your Rottweiler might be doing it for a number of different reasons and it could be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider when trying to figure out the exact reason and there are some things you can do about it depending on the cause.

Why your Rottweiler keeps itching itself

Below, I will show you a number of reasons why it might be doing it and what would make them more likely to be the main reason.

Allergies

The reason why it has been doing it could be that it has allergies or a rash. Allergies can be caused by things such as shampoo, other dogs, pollen or household chemicals (source).

It would be more likely that allergies or a rash are the cause if it started doing it after something happened that might have caused it to get allergies or a rash. Examples could be using a different shampoo or a harness that rubs its skin. It would also be more likely if it has only been itching at a certain spot.

Fleas

The cause could also be that it has fleas. This would be more likely if it has started doing it suddenly and if you have found fleas around the house.

If fleas are causing your Rottweiler to itch itself, it would help to talk to your vet about what you should do to get rid of the flees.

It would also help to eradicate fleas from your home by doing things such as:

• Washing the bedding with hot soapy water
• Vacuuming the carpets and throwing the bad
• Applying an environmental flee control
• Applying a spray, pellet or non-toxic treatment for the yard
• Treating your Rottweiler with a monthly preventative

Compulsive behavior

It could also be the case that it has been doing it due to a compulsive disorder. This is where it has an irresistible urge to itch itself and it does it excessively. This would be more likely if it has been doing it a lot over the course of a few weeks, it has been losing fur and if it itches more at the same spot. In this case, the best option would be to get help from a vet.

Boredom

Rottweilers are supposed to get daily exercise. When Rottweilers do not get enough exercise, it can cause them to behave abnormally and it might be part of the reason why yours has been itching itself. Generally, it is recommended for them to be getting at least an hour of exercise per day as healthy adults.

Anxiety

It could be the case that it has been itching itself because something has been causing it to be anxious. Things that might cause it to get anxious would be if someone moved away recently, another pet died or if you recently adopted it.

It might also be the case that it has separation anxiety. This is where it does not like being left alone and being left alone causes it to become anxious. This would be more likely if it itches itself and it shows signs of being anxious when you are about to leave home.

Injury

The cause could also be that it has gotten an injury. This would be more likely if it has started doing it suddenly, it has been itching the same spot and if you can see things such as a cut. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet.

There is something stuck in its fur

It could also be the case that it has been doing it due to something being stuck in its fur. This would be more likely if it has been itching more at a certain spot and if it has started doing it suddenly.

It was just itchy

It could be the case that it was just itchy at the time. This would be more likely if it only itches itself occasionally and it does not do it excessively.

Things to consider

Below are some things to consider when trying to figure out why it has been doing it.

When it first started itching itself

If it did not always itch itself so much, it would help to consider what else changed or happened when it first started doing it.

If it did start itching itself suddenly, it would be more likely to be due to things such as an injury, something being stuck in its fur, something making it become anxious, fleas or allergies. It would help to consider what else changed at around the same time that it started doing it.

How often it does

How often your Rottweiler itches itself will have an impact on the most probable causes of it itching itself.

If it rarely does itch itself or if it’s a puppy and it just did it once then less likely to be a problem and it was probably playing.

If it does it a lot then it would make it more likely to be due to things such as a rash, fleas, compulsive behavior or an injury.

How to get your Rottweiler to stop itching itself

Below are some options you have when getting your Rottweiler to stop itching itself.

Take it to a vet

If your Rottweiler has been itching itself excessively or it seems like it might be injured, the best option would be to take it to a vet. By doing so, you should be able to find out exactly why it has been doing it and to get expert advice tailored to your particular Rottweiler.

Give it exercise

If it is not doing it due to an injury and it is healthy, it would also help to give it daily exercise. Generally, it is recommended for them to get at least an hour of exercise per day.

Make sure that it is not due to shampoo

It could be the case that the shampoo you use on your Rottweiler is causing it to be itchy. This would be more likely if it only itches itself when you have recently put shampoo on it. In this case, it would help to change the shampoo.