Chronic itching doesn’t just affect your dog’s skin—it can rewire behaviour. This study links atopic dermatitis with increased anxiety, fear, and aggression, urging early multidisciplinary action.
Could your dog’s aggression be skin-deep? A growing body of research now connects chronic pruritus—intense, ongoing itching—to behavioural disruptions in dogs. In this study, McAuliffe et al. (2022) found that dogs suffering from atopic dermatitis were significantly more likely to exhibit fear, anxiety, and various forms of aggression than their healthy counterparts.
Using validated behavioural questionnaires and pruritus scoring, the researchers assessed 141 dogs with confirmed atopic dermatitis. The findings were striking:
- Increased stranger- and owner-directed aggression
- Heightened fear sensitivity—including nonsocial and dog-directed fear
- Greater touch sensitivity, excitability, and attention-seeking behaviour
- Reduced trainability in affected dogs
These results underscore a critical truth: behaviour and biology are deeply connected. Chronic dermatological issues don’t just cause physical discomfort—they disrupt emotional balance. This creates a double burden for the dog and its human companions.
Early recognition and integrative treatment of atopic skin conditions isn’t optional—it’s essential. Behavioural derangement can worsen without targeted intervention. Veterinary care, behavioural therapy, environmental modification, and nutritional strategies must work together to restore harmony in both skin and mind.
