Why Is My Dog Always Scratching? Causes, What Helps, and How to Choose a Supplement (Hong Kong Guide)
The short answer: a dog that scratches constantly, licks its paws and rubs itself is usually dealing with one of four things — environmental sensitivity (Hong Kong is humid, so dust mites and mould are always around), food sensitivity, parasites (fleas or mites), or skin that is simply too dry (bathing too often). Rule out parasites and skin conditions first (that's a vet job), then work on the environment, the diet and daily support: immune support with an EpiCor® type formula, or skin and coat support with Omega-3 fish oil + zinc + biotin. Give it 4–8 weeks straight before assessing the results.
Skin problems are especially common in Hong Kong dogs — humidity sits above 80% for most of the year, so dust mites and mould never really go away. Paws come home wet from a rainy walk, skin folds stay damp, and then the air conditioning dries everything out in summer. The result: constant scratching, paws licked red, rubbing until the fur thins, and a smell. This article covers how to tell a sensitivity from a skin condition, what to do about each cause, when you definitely need a vet, and how to pick a supplement so you don't end up going in the wrong direction.
First: sensitivity or skin condition?
| Situation | Typical signs | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental / seasonal sensitivity | Itchier when the season turns or on rainy days; licking paws, rubbing the face and armpits; skin slightly red but no broken skin | Control the environment plus daily support; if it carries on, get an allergy assessment from a vet |
| Food sensitivity | Itchy all year round, recurring ear inflammation, unsettled gut at the same time | An elimination diet under vet guidance (8 weeks) |
| Skin that is too dry | Lots of flakes, dull coat, more shedding in winter and in air-conditioned rooms | Bathe less often, use a gentle shampoo, add Omega-3 |
| Parasites (fleas, mites) | Sudden frantic scratching, worst at the base of the tail, black specks visible | Prescription parasite control from a vet, plus a full clean of the home |
| Skin conditions (fungal, bacterial, eczema, pyoderma) | Redness and swelling, broken skin, scabs, round bald patches, odour, dark pigmentation | Straight to a vet — supplements won't help here |
Remember: broken skin, a smell, patches of hair loss, black scabs — those point to a skin condition, and a supplement is not the thing to reach for.
The Hong Kong environment: the biggest source of itching
- Humidity — run the dehumidifier at 50–60%, and wash the dog bed, mats and soft toys in hot water once a week
- Back from a walk — dry the paws, belly and skin folds; on rainy days use a towel plus a hairdryer on low to dry between the toes
- Bathing — not too often, generally once every 2–4 weeks, with a gentle dog shampoo, and always dry thoroughly afterwards
- Air conditioning — it dries the skin; put out a bowl of water or add some humidity, and don't let your dog sleep directly in the airflow
- Cleaning products — floor cleaner residue, diffusers and sprays can all be the culprit; switch to pet-safe versions
Diet: how do you check for a food sensitivity?
Dogs with a food sensitivity are usually itchy all year round, with recurring ear inflammation and an unsettled gut on top. The right way to check isn't swapping randomly between "sensitive" foods — it's an 8-week single-protein elimination diet under vet guidance (snacks and supplements have to be checked for ingredients too), then adding things back one at a time to see the reaction. The common culprit proteins are chicken, beef, dairy and wheat. Supplements count as well: if your dog reacts to chicken, pick the lamb or another flavour version.
Supplements: two directions, don't pick the wrong one
Skin supplements split into two routes, and plenty of owners go the wrong way and end up saying "it did nothing":
| Direction | Key ingredients | Which dogs it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Building from the immune system | EpiCor® fermentate, colostrum, astragalus root, probiotic strains | Seasonal or environmental sensitivity — the dogs who get itchy, lick paws and rub the moment the weather turns |
| Building from the skin itself | Omega-3 fish oil (EPA / DHA), cod liver oil, zinc, biotin, vitamin E | Dry skin, lots of flakes, a dull coat, heavy shedding |
| Plain fish oil | Alaskan pollock oil + salmon oil | Cats and dogs both; for owners who want the simplest option, measured by the teaspoon by body weight |
Not sure which one? Look at when the itching happens: itchy as soon as the season turns, worse on rainy days → the immune route; dry skin and flakes all year round → the skin route. If it's both, you can pair one chew with fish oil, but don't double up on two products in the same Omega category.
Where to buy with confidence in Hong Kong?
NanaPaws is an authorised Zesty Paws retailer in Hong Kong for Zesty Paws from the US (NASC Quality Seal, made in the USA), and the skin sensitivity products split along exactly the two routes above:
Immune route: EpiCor® Pets fermentate + colostrum + astragalus root + six gut probiotic strains・Peanut butter or lamb flavour (go for lamb if your dog reacts to chicken or peanut) | HK$208, free SF Express delivery on orders of HK$300 or more
Take a look →
Skin route: AlaskOmega® fish oil Omega-3 + cod liver oil + zinc + biotin + vitamins C and E・Chicken flavour | HK$274, free SF Express delivery on orders of HK$300 or more
Take a look →
Plain fish oil: wild Alaskan pollock oil + salmon oil, for cats and dogs, measured by the teaspoon by body weight over their food | HK$169, free SF Express delivery on orders of HK$300 or more
Take a look →Want to start with a trial pack? Aller-Immune Bites trial pack (10 chews) at HK$55. For senior dogs there's Senior Aller-Immune Bites; for coat and shedding questions see the Skin & Coat range. For everything skin sensitivity related see the Skin Sensitivity & Itching range.
How long before you see a difference?
Skin works on its own growth cycle, so any skin supplement needs 4–8 weeks straight before assessing the results — two days is not enough. Review your dog’s diet and home environment alongside any supplement routine. If two months brings no difference at all, or things get worse along the way, it's time for a vet to run allergy testing or a skin scrape — don't just keep switching brands.
The gut and the skin are closely connected — plenty of sensitive dogs have an unsettled gut at the same time, so it's worth reading how to choose a dog probiotic as well.
Common questions
My dog scratches constantly but has no fleas and no skin condition — why?
Very often it's environmental sensitivity (dust mites, mould, pollen), food sensitivity, skin that is too dry, or bathing too often. Start with the environment and the diet; if it carries on for more than two weeks, get an allergy assessment from a vet.
What supplements can a dog with sensitive skin take?
Two directions: building from the immune system (EpiCor® fermentate + colostrum, for example) or building from the skin itself (Omega-3 fish oil + zinc + biotin). Dry skin and a poor coat point to the second; itchy as soon as the season turns points to the first.
Is fish oil any use for a dog's skin?
Omega-3 (EPA / DHA) is one of the best-researched supplements for skin care and helps with dryness, shedding and a dull coat; give it for 6 to 8 weeks straight before judging.
How long before the itching settles down?
Supplements are everyday support and generally need 4 to 8 weeks. If your dog has scratched the skin open, has patches of hair loss, a smell or scabs, that's a skin condition rather than a simple sensitivity — please see a vet first.
Should I switch food for a dog with sensitive skin?
Only worth switching if you suspect a food sensitivity. The right approach is an 8-week single-protein elimination diet under vet guidance, not switching the moment you see "sensitive formula" on a bag — switching at random just makes the culprit harder to find.
Chief taste tester and quality gatekeeper at NanaPaws. We are an authorised Zesty Paws retailer in Hong Kong, the batch expiry date is listed on every item, and Free SF Express delivery on orders of HK$300 or more. Sources: Zesty Paws product labels, NASC, and public AAHA / WSAVA guidelines.
This article is general pet care information and does not constitute veterinary advice. Supplements are everyday support and do not replace veterinary care; if your dog has persistent symptoms, please consult a vet.
