Dog Scratches His Neck Until it Bleeds – Top 3 Reasons Why

There could be a number of reasons why a dog might scratch his neck excessively to the point where the skin becomes raw and starts bleeding. If this is happening with your dog, we strongly recommend visiting a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. In the meantime, here are a few reasons that may explain the neck scratching.

1. Dog Has Skin Infection

one of the most common reasons for excessive neck scratching is the presence of a skin infection. Acute moist dermatitis (also referred to as hot spots), for example, is a skin condition that can a lot of irritation and discomfort. Dogs that suffer from this skin condition will typically develop a smelly, red patch in the affected area. It can happen in most parts of the dog’s body including the head and neck.

2. Dog is Infested with Fleas

The dog might be scratching his neck until it bleeds because he is heavily bothered by fleas or other blood-sucking parasites. The neck is one of the most common spots where fleas like to gather and hide. The bites left by the parasite is known to have quite the itch so your poor dog can’t help but scratch away the discomfort. Please make sure you apply proper flea preventive measures to stop this from happening.

3. Your Dog Has Allergies

Excessive scratching could also be a reaction to an allergy. Just like us, dogs can develop hives and rashes when they have an allergic reaction. A lot of dogs won’t be able to endure the itchiness of the rash and will end up scratching the area excessively. If this area happens to be the neck then yes it’s possible for them to scratch until the neck area starts bleeding and losing hair.