Sarah Mitchell

Professional Pet Behaviorist

I'm Sarah Mitchell, your dedicated guide to understanding and improving your pet's behavior. As a Certified Pet Behavior Consultant (CPBC), I've spent years working closely...

The most common cause of my dog having crusty scabs on his back is a harsh shampoo. Shampoos are formulated to eliminate dandruff and unwanted oils, which are by products of dog’s skin glands. In my experience, many shampoos are particularly harsh on puppies. This is because they are still trying to get used to their new dog owners. Always rinse your dog off with a clean towel after using a harsh shampoo or soap to remove dead skin cells.

Another cause of my dog having scabs on his back is flea infestation: If you notice any dandruff-like spots on your dog’s coat, it is very likely that there are fleas living in his fur. Tapeworms and lice are other parasites that can cause the same type of conditions as fleas do. Dogs that have tapeworms need to be reformed as soon as possible to get rid of the infection and the scabs caused by them.

When my dog has crusty scabs on his back – I like to put him on a hot shower, but not too hot. Hot water can dry out his skin and he could end up with serious scaly sores. It’s important for me to keep his skin moist but not excessively wet. I’ve heard that some steamy showers can dry out the skin too much.

To prevent the scabs from becoming infected – it is important that you rinse your dog’s coat regularly. I always try to do this when I take him out for a walk, or whenever I can do it without him complaining about it. If you have ever seen a dog’s scabs or lumps, you know that they’re very sensitive to touch. You can actually hurt your pet if you scrub too hard on his back.

Scabs on dog’s skin can sometimes be a sign of serious illness or infection: This is why you should consult a vet right away if you notice anything unusual with your dog’s condition. There are a few signs that your dog might have an infection or something worse such as: blood in the urine, swollen glands, bad odor and in extreme cases – your dog could even display signs of rabies. Rabies will cause a heavy scratchy coat that looks like it’s burning. If you have any doubts about your dog’s health just bring him to the vet and get a clean bill of health.

Usually my vet will give my dog an injection of antihistamine: This medication helps make it easier for him to breath. I also give my dog Vitamin C, but that’s not necessary with all the vitamins you can find at the pet store.

Make sure you have your dog checked out to ensure he is healthy, because a pet’s health is important to take care of. Your dog should be happy and healthy, but a healthy pet means lots of work for you!