When a Shih Tzu is Itchy

Some Quick Facts About Itching 

  • Itching may be acute (comes on quick and is temporary) or chronic (lasts a long time)
  • It may be caused by a wide range of things. The top causes of itchiness with Shih Tzu dogs are contact irritants (including reaction to coat products), skin yeast infection, allergies, acral lick dermatitis, skin bacterial infection, fleas and other skin parasites, dry skin and dandruff. 
  • Itching may be localized (in one specific area like the paws or the underarms) or it may be a full-body issue
  • The type of treatment will depend on what is causing the itching (including unknown triggers), how intense the problem is, and if there are other symptoms seen alongside the itching. 
This section will dive into all of these aspects in order to help you pinpoint the reason that your Shih Tzu is itchy and how to provide quick relief. 

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Sections:

Itching, and its many causes and treatments, is a complex issue. If you are not sure what your Shih Tzu is experiencing, read through this article. If you do have an idea, below are the sections on this page:

Acute, Localized Itching (for example, from a bug bite)

Itching Just on the Paws: Includes irritants, allergies, yeast infections and other/unknown

Full Body Itching: Includes reactions to shampoos, fleas, allergies, parasites or infections, yeast infection, dry skin, dandruff and cause unknown.

Treatments for Itching: Includes all methods of relief: anti-itch sprays, anti-itch cream, anti-itch shampoo, and medicated topical treatments.

Signs that a Shih Tzu is Itchy

Since dogs don’t have opposable thumbs, the way that they react to itching can be very different than us humans. Top signs include:

• Scratching at the area(s)
• Biting at the area(s)
• Licking the area(s)
• Rubbing the itchy body part against a rough surface such as carpeting
• In some cases, shaking; for example, if a dog’s inner ear canals are itchy, a dog will shake their head

Acute Localized Itching

Symptoms: This will be a sudden, small itch localized to any part of the body. There may be some redness or slight swelling. 

Top cause: Insect bite. Pesky mosquitoes are the most common culprit, but do be aware that dogs can be stung by poisonous spiders, red ants, and other insects. And, ticks are always a concern as well. 

Red flags: Most acute insect bites are only bothersome for a short time and can be dealt with at home; however, keep an eye on your Shih Tzu for increased swelling to the area, swelling on other areas of the body (especially the lip and eye lids), any breathing issues, and any signs of pain. These symptoms warrant an immediate veterinary treatment.
Treatment at home: For small localized itching most likely caused by a mosquito or other non-poisonous bug, a simple DIY treatment is to create a paste using backing soda and water and dab this on the area. If your Shih Tzu has been stung numerous times by a swarm of mosquitoes, you may then want to offer stronger relief via a topical cream or spray; see ‘Treatments for Itching’ ahead.

Itching Just on the Paws

There are a number of triggers that can make the paws exceptionally itchy. Repeated licking or chewing at the paws can cause further irritation, thus extending the cycle of tending to the paws. So, the sooner you can diagnose and treat this, the better. Top causes for itching just on the paws include: 

#1 Contact Irritants.

The top culprit is lawn care products (fertilizer, weed killer, pesticides, etc.) but other possible triggers include ice melt products, road salt or sand, certain plants or weeds, and materials in the home (either the material itself or the soap used to wash it) such as carpeting, dog bed cover, etc. 

What to do: Think about what is on your own lawn, as well as grass that your Shih Tzu may trot over while out on walks and what is at dog parks and other areas that you may visit with your puppy or dog. In the winter, be aware of ice and road products which can be tracked in via cars even if you do not use any yourself. Avoid those areas if possible. If not, use a good paw wax to offer a barrier (see details ahead under ‘Treatments for Itching’) and rinse the paws off after coming in from outside. 

In the house, try to not use any fragrances or chemical-based products on the floors including carpet fresheners and wash everything that your Shih Tzu comes into contact with hypoallergenic detergent. 

#2 Skin Yeast Infection.

This usually occurs in warm, dark areas like between the toes, the armpits, and the genital area. The #1 sign is a strong mildew or sour-type odor. Though, some also equate the smell to wet stinky sock or very pungent corn chips

What to do: In some cases, this can be handled at home with an anti-fungal spray or cream (see details ahead under ‘Treatments for Itching’) but stubborn cases may need to be treated by the vet via oral anti-fungal medications. 

#3 Allergies. 

In most instances of allergy-related itching, other areas aside from the paws will be affected. However, since the paws are one of the most accessible body parts, a Shih Tzu may tend to them the most. The allergy may be contact, food, or airborne. 

What to do: There are so many things that a dog can be allergic to and with a wide range of other symptoms that it may be by the process of elimination that you suspect this may be the issue. And, the steps to resolve allergies are numerous so this is usually a combined effort between pet parents and the veterinarian. More details are ahead under ‘Full Body Itching: Allergies’. 
In the meantime, you can certainly use an anti-itch product to offer immediate relief; see ‘Treatments for Itching’, ahead. 

#4 Other Causes.

Less common but still possible are a wide range of various issues including acral lick dermatitis, demodicosis (demodex mite infection), bacterial infection, pododermatitis, and more. 

What to do: If you cannot pinpoint the cause and/or treatment is not effective, it will be time for the vet to perform an examination that may include a skin scraping, blood test, and other screenings to diagnose the issue. In the meantime, look below to 'Treatments for Itching' to offer fast relief. 

Full Body Itching

There are quite a few possible triggers when a Shih Tzu is itchy everywhere. If the itching is severe, it is recommended to have it diagnosed by the veterinarian who will be able to run tests and offer prescribed medications during the first appointment. 

For minor to moderate issues or if you are looking for help while waiting for the appointment, the following can help. Top causes for full body itching on a Shih Tzu include: 

#1 Reaction to Subpar Shampoo.

If the wrong product is used (high or low pH, irritating additives, harsh soaps that strip too much body oil from the skin or drying soaps that zap moisture from the skin, etc.) this can cause itching everywhere. 

What to do: 1) Offer fast relief via a topical spray, cream, or anti-itch shampoo (see ‘Treatments for Itching’, ahead).
2) Use a better shampoo going forward that moisturizes and protects the skin each time you use it. The pH should be between 6.5 and 7.5, there should be no soaping agents (look for plant-based cleansers), no parabens or phthalates, and ideally with both aloe and oatmeal. The line of Earthbath Shampoo is highly recommended (and don't forget to use a wash-out conditioner; it is needed to close the hair follicles that open during the shampooing process).  

#2 Fleas.

A Shih Tzu can have fleas without their human ever actually seeing a flea, so don’t automatically discount this. This is what happens: A flea from another dog or another source (carpeting, tall grass, etc.) jumps up to several feet and land on a Shih Tzu. The fleas multiple rapidly, females lay about 25 eggs a day. The fleas live on the skin under the coat, so are not seen. If you part the hair, the fleas scatter very quickly, so you may or may not see them.

What you are more likely to see are small black flecks (like pepper) which are the flea droppings), small red flecks (which are drops of blood), or small white flecks (which are the flea eggs).

And, there’ll be lots of itching. In fact, fleas can make a dog so incredibly itchy that they go into a near panic. 

What to do: Treating for fleas must be thorough because if even one female survives, the entire cycle can start over. The Shih Tzu and all other animals in the house must be treated with a topical treatment and combed multiple times with a flea comb, and the house itself must be treated with a spray or in some case a flea bomb. Preventive measures should be put in place to stop this from occurring again. For more details see Shih Tzu Flea Treatment and Prevention. 

#3 Allergies.

There are several types of allergies: contact, food, and airborne. These can be seasonal or year-round. The only sign may be itching, but other possible symptoms include skin issues (hives, rash, hot spots, inflammation), breathing issues (coughing, wheezing), watery eyes, and/or upset stomach. 

What to do: Itching due to allergies can be long and complicated. It involves working hard to reduce or completely eliminate the allergy trigger(s) and addressing the itching itself. 

Avoiding the triggers may encompass switching foods, limiting time outside during high-pollen days, washing the paws off or wiping the coat down after being outside, washing bedding and soft toys with hypo-allergic detergent, vacuuming the house with a vacuum that has HEPA filtration, using air purifiers with HEPA filters, and more. For full steps, see our Shih Tzu Allergies article. 
To address the itching, in some cases, OTC anti-itch products can work very well (see ‘Treatments for Itching’, ahead), though some dogs will need stronger medications including corticosteroids like prednisone and/or prescribed antihistamines. 

#4 Skin Parasites or Infections.

Though not as common, one of these is certainly a possibility. With parasites, aside from the previously mentioned fleas, top culprits are scabies mites (which are very contagious) and demodex mites (most common with young pups). Both of these can be exceedingly itchy, often resulting in coat loss. And, both require veterinary treatment via prescribed medications. 

Bacterial skin infections are often secondary and seen alongside allergies. Though, there are instances of a bacterial infection taking hold without a previous skin issue. This will also need to be treated by a veterinarian via prescribed medications.

#5 Skin Yeast Infection.

Though yeast infection on the paws were covered, this refers to yeast in more than one area on a Shih Tzu. In many cases, it will be between the toes, in the armpits, along the neck, and in the genital area, but may also appear elsewhere.

In most cases there will be a very strong musty odor that does not go away after a bath (or reappears very soon afterward). Other signs may include inflammation, red skin, skin sores, and/or oily skin. 

The most common cause of this is overgrowth of the Malassezia fungi which is normally found on all dogs at manageable level. A weak immune system can cause this population overgrowth and well as certain conditions such as a Shih Tzu getting and staying wet for too long or too often. 

What to do: Minor to moderate cases may be successfully treated at home using an anti-fungal shampoo and/or topical treatment, see ‘Treatments for Itching: Skin Yeast Infection Topical Treatments’, ahead. Though, chronic or reoccurring cases should be investigated by the veterinarian. And, stubborn cases that do not respond to at-home treatment methods often require prescribed oral and topical anti-fungals. 

#6 Dry Skin.

Never automatically discount dry skin; though it may seem like too simple of an explanation, moderate to severe cases can cause an incredible amount of itching and discomfort. 

Dry skin is most common during the colder months, which for many of us starts in November and can last into April. When the air is cold, it’s very arid and moisture can be pulled from the skin at such a rapid pace that the body cannot keep up. Itchy dry skin can occur with a Shih Tzu even if they stay indoors most of the time since heating the air warms it but does not add moisture. 
What to do: There are several steps to take. Make sure that your Shih Tzu is drinking enough water; bring water along on walks, lead your dog to their bowl throughout the day, and offer water-packed fruits like blueberries and strawberries. In addition, using humidifiers in the house to keep the relative humidity between 40 and 50% can make a big difference. 

Use high-quality coat products; shampoos should have oatmeal, aloe, and other soothing and moisturizing ingredients; be sure to follow that up with a wash-out conditioner and use a leave-in coat spray. 
Massaging in a restorative cream may be needed as this can work well to re-balance the skin. See ‘Treatments for Itching’, ahead.

#7 Dandruff.

Less common but still possible is dandruff, which manifests as white flakes. The flakes are pieces of of dead skin cells that fall off. There are two main types of dandruff with canines: dry (aka seborrheic sicca) and oily (seborrhea). The oily type of dandruff on Shih Tzu dogs tends to be the type that has a bad odor, and this is due to the overabundance of body oil. Some Shih Tzu will have both types at the same time. 

Very similar to dry skin, dandruff with Shih Tzu puppies and dogs can originate from dry arid air (especially in the winter), skin bacterial or fungal infections, allergies, certain diseases including Cushing's Disease or hypothyroidism, or an unbalanced diet lacking in omega-3s. 

In many cases, the cause of dandruff may remain elusive; if so, it is referred to as idiopathic seborrhea. 

Other signs seen alongside dandruff include itching, skin odor, red irritated skin and/or excessive self-licking or chewing due to the itch. 

What to do: Some cases of dandruff can be treated at home with: 
  • Supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids (like fish oil). One we recommend is Zesty Paws Omega 3 Alaskan Fish Oil Treats which are delicious bite-sized chews. 
  • Shampoos or sprays specifically formulated for anti-seborrheic treatment. One that we recommend is Douxo Shampoo for Seborrhea in Dogs which works by normalizing sebum production while hydrating the skin. This is pH balanced, hypoallergenic and is sulfate and phthalate-free. 
If there is no improvement after two weeks, dandruff should be treated by the veterinarian who can prescribe stronger treatments that may include corticosteroids, retinoid-based medications, oral cyclosporine such as Atopica, antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections, and antifungals when yeast infections are present.

Note: There is a certain mite, named the Cheyletiella mite, that is so similar in appearance to dandruff flakes that their nickname is 'walking dandruff'; they are large enough to see by eye and if you look close, you will see them moving around. Treatment for this involves pyrethrin (insecticide) baths and should be both prescribed and overseen by the veterinarian.

#8 Cause Unknown.

If you’re absolutely mystified about what is causing your Shih Tzu to be itchy and you’ve worked hard to figure it out with the process of elimination, you’re not alone. Every possible cause always has outlier cases where the symptoms do not match up to what is expected. And, of course, there are always instances of the trigger being so rare and unusual that it won’t be discovered. 

What to do: Just because it is not clear what is making a Shih Tzu itchy, doesn’t mean that it can’t be treated. There are several effective products that you can use at home that can offer fast relief. And, if things are very severe or reoccurring, the veterinarian can offer broad-spectrum anti-itch topical creams and/or antihistamines. 

For options, see ‘Treatments for Itching’, ahead.

Ears are Itchy

Symptoms: Though a Shih Tzu may use a paw to scratch at the ears, they may also rub their head into walls, pillows, carpeting, or other objects and/or vigorously shake their head.  

Top causes: An ear infection is the most common reason, this can be bacterial or viral. Second to this, is a buildup of excessive wax that has trapped small, irritating debris. 

What to do: In many cases, treating the ear canals with a broad-spectrum ear cleanser solution like Curaseb Dog Ear Infection Treatment can resolve things. This is done by placing the solution like into each canal (one at a time), massaging the base for several minutes, and then swiping the outer canal with clean gauze.

For excessive wax buildup, this may only need to be done once and for full-fledged infections this may be need to be done once a day for 7 to 10 days. If results are not seen, this should be treated by the vet (ear infections with dogs are one of the most common reasons for a visit to the vet clinic). 

Genital Area is Itchy

Symptoms: A Shih Tzu may lick the area and/or rub the area into pillows, stuffed animals, or other objects which may be mistaken for humping.  

Top causes: With female dogs, the most common reason is vaginitis which may be bacterial or viral in nature or may be seen alongside bladder infections or urinary tract infections. With males, the most common causes are alongside bladder infections or urinary tract infections though allergies or yeast infections may also be at the root of the problem. 

What to do: Bladder or urinary tract infection need to be treated by the veterinarian. In regard to suspected yeast infections, see the previous ‘Full Body Itching: Yeast infection’ section for more details and in regard to suspected or known allergies with your Shih Tzu, see the previous ‘Full Body Itching: Allergies’. 

Treatments for Itching

There was a lot to cover to get to this point, but as you’ve seen there are a lot of possible reasons why a Shih Tzu puppy or dog would have problems with being itchy. And, treatment is really two-fold: To try and identify the cause (since eliminating the trigger should be done when at all possible) and offer anti-itch solutions.  

But, even if you are not quite sure what’s making your Shih Tzu scratch like crazy or bite at themselves round-the-clock, you can still implement some treatment methods that can soothe down itching and offer cooling relief to the skin. 

What you use will depend on the location of the itching and the severity of it. Here, we'll take a look at some effective options.

#1 Anti-itch Sprays

These are ideal if you want to offer fast and round-the-clock relief and especially if skin is so irritated that it’s best to not touch it (like you would with a cream). Sprays are great for targeting certain areas but can also be used all over the body. 

There are two basic types of sprays:

1- All-natural.  These are best for mild cases. Some ingredients like oatmeal can combat itch and other natural ingredients like almond oil, aloe vera or chamomile can help to moisturize. One non-medicated spray that may offer some relief is Oatmeal Conditioning Spray by John Paul Pets, which has 13 conditioning ingredients, most notably oatmeal, aloe, and chamomile.
2- Medicated. This is best if a Shih Tzu has moderate to severe itching and you're looking for immediate relief. Topical medications like hydrocortisone can help with inflation and itch and lidocaine which acts as a numbing agent. Topicals like this usually have moisturizing and conditioning ingredients as well. For this, we recommend Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Hot Spot & Itch Relief Medicated Spray. 

#2  Anti-itch Creams

For widespread itching, a cream like ResQ Organics Pet Skin Treatment can be effective, especially for dry cracks on paws or noses, thanks to its luxurious, restorative ingredients like organic aloe vera, Manuka honey, and coconut oil. However, if your Shih Tzu is in discomfort, not just itching, consider a medicated spray instead (see previous step). This cream is also great for uncertain causes of itching due to its wide-ranging ingredients.

#3 Anti-Itch Shampoo

Shampoos to help with itching are great to treat a Shih Tzu’s entire body since it provides excellent coverage (no crevice will be missed) and it’s a chance to really soak a dog in a treatment product. In addition, a specialty anti-itch shampoo is also a good idea if you want to do foot soak for itchy paws. 


There are two shampoos we recommend. If you know that your Shih Tzu's main skin issue is dry skin, we like Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo (and it is, in fact, the shampoo we recommend is always used, since this breed is so prone to dry skin). 

And if your Shih Tzu has a rash, irritated skin, red patches, hot spot or any other related issues, we recommend Earthbath's Tea Tree Oil & Aloe Vera Shampoo. 


Note 1: No matter which shampoo you use, these recommended ones or others, be sure to follow with a wash-out conditioner. The above-referenced Earthbath has a fantastic Oatmeal & Aloe Vanilla conditioner that can be used after any shampoo.


Note 2: Though it is generally recommended to give a Shih Tzu baths once every 3 weeks, if you are using a specialty product like this to treat itching, you can soak your puppy or dog once or twice a week. Just be sure to follow up with a good wash-out conditioner and pat the coat dry (no rubbing). 

Skin Yeast Infection Tropical Treatments
When it comes to treating itchy skin yeast infections on dogs with home remedies, the most common OTC products contain chlorhexidine, ketoconazole and/or benzethonium chloride. These can work well for yeast, fungi, some types of bacterial skin infections.

Do note, however, that these are topical medications and will have a certain drying effect to the skin. So, if a medicated product is used on a dog that does not have a skin infection (and it has nothing to combat), it can be harsh on the skin (which can exacerbate sensitive skin issues). For this reason, you will want to be fairly confident that your Shih Tzu does have a yeast or other skin infection problem before using this. If you are not sure, do not hesitate to bring your dog to the vet.  

There are wipes like Smiling Paws Pet Antibacterial and Anti-fungal Wipes which have both ketoconazole and chlorhexidine and are great for the tummy, paws and other spot treatments. 

And there are shampoos like Veterinary Formula's Clinical Care Antiseptic and Anti-fungal Medicated Shampoo, which are used to treat full-body problems. This one is It is medicated with benzethonium chloride to reduce any bacterial growth and ketoconazole to treat yeast infections. It also contains aloe to soothe and has no parbens, detergent or dyes. 


Generally, a dog is lathered up and then soaked in this once a day for 7 days, then twice per week for two weeks. Since treating the whole body with medication can be quite a bit for a small dog like the Shih Tzu, you can mix this with your little guy or gal's regular shampoo (50/50) if you find them to tolerable it better that way. 


With any sort of anti-fungal topical treatment, if results are not seen in 2 to 3 weeks, this is your sign that a stronger, veterinary prescribed oral and/or topical medication may be needed. 

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