In today's issue:

-Meet our adoptable dog of the day

-Enjoy a laugh with our dog meme of the day

-Get great information in our featured article

-Take our action of the week

-Check out our family photo of the day

Join our Facebook group - Post Your Pooch!

Built for Real Life at Your Door

Most entryway pieces are built to be replaced. They wear down quickly, shift out of place, or just stop doing their job altogether. Porte + Hall takes a different approach. Designed by an interior designer, their entryway essentials combine elevated design with materials built for daily wear. They stay in place, handle dirt and moisture, and keep looking good over time. It’s a more thoughtful take on something most people don’t think twice about. I Love Every Dog readers can take 15% off sitewide (excluding the Porter) with code ENTRY15—a practical upgrade you’ll notice every single day.

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Why Do Dogs Scratch After a Good Petting?

You’ve just spent five glorious minutes giving your dog the ultimate, full-body cuddle. You scratch right behind their ears, rub their belly, and tell them they’re the best pup in the world. They’re leaning into your hand, eyes half-closed in sheer bliss.

Then, you step back. And immediately your dog raises a hind leg and starts furiously scratching themselves.

Ouch. Were your pets not appreciated or worse, do they think you're dirty?

The Scratch Reflex

Have you ever had a really great back massage and felt the urge to stretch, twitch, or shift around immediately after? That’s similar to what’s happening with your pup.

Dogs have sensitive neural pathways underneath their fur. When you hit a particularly good spot, often near their lower back, ribs, or belly, you activate involuntary nerve responses known as the scratch reflex. Even after your hands stop moving, those nerves are still buzzing with pleasant stimulation. A quick scratch with their own paw is often just their way of "processing" that explosion of good sensation!

Shaking Off the Sensory Overload

Petting involves physical contact, warm body heat, scent sharing, and emotional bonding. That’s a lot of input for a dog’s nervous system to absorb, even when they loved every single second of it.

For many dogs, a swift scratch or a full-body "wet-dog shake" right after affection acts as a reset button. It’s a physical sign of decompression that helps them transition from a state of high arousal and deep affection back to their normal, relaxed baseline.

Fixing Their Fur

Let’s be honest: when we stroke, ruffle, and cuddle our dogs, we completely mess up their carefully maintained coats.

Dogs take pride in their fur lying a certain way for temperature regulation and comfort. A sudden scratch or ruffle with their paws is often just a quick grooming adjustment to smooth down ruffled fur, reset their coat, and put everything back in its rightful place. Think of it as your pup checking their reflection in the mirror after you play with their hair.

Spreading the Love

Dogs communicate primarily through scent. Your hands carry your unique scent, and your dog’s paws contain scent glands of their own.

When you pet your dog, you leave a bit of your scent on their fur. When they scratch themselves right after, they aren't trying to scrape your scent off—they’re actually blending your smell with theirs and spreading it around. It’s a subtle way of marking themselves as part of your pack.

When Should You Be Concerned?

While an occasional "post-petting scratch" is completely normal, keep an eye out if the scratching becomes obsessive. If your dog is biting at their skin, losing fur, or showing red, inflamed patches, it might be time to check in with your vet to rule out:

• Seasonal allergies or food sensitivities
• Fleas, mites, or dry skin
• Skin infections

The Bottom Line

Next time you finish a cuddle session and your dog immediately goes to town on an itch, don't feel snubbed! It’s simply their body’s natural way of saying, "Phew, that was amazing, now let me reset my coat, process all that love, and get ready for round two!"

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• FI - Pet Supplements: Potential Salmonella Contamination
• Northwest Naturals - Chicken Recipe: Potential Salmonella and/or Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
• Fromm - Wet Canned Dog Food: Potential Metal Contamination
• Oma's Pride - Canine Food: Contaminated with Salmonella
• Pedigree - High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor Wet Dog Food: Potential Plastic Contaminants

Want to help find lost pets?

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We want to feature your pup!

We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.