Itch Scoring Guide

Daily itch scores help you and your vet see patterns and measure improvement. Use the same time each day (e.g. evening) for consistency.

The 0–10 scale

Score	Level	What it looks like
0–1	Normal	No real itch; some healthy dogs score around 1.
2–4	Mild	Occasional scratching or licking; easily distracted.
5–6	Moderate	Frequent itch when awake; may wake from sleep; no itch during feeding or play.
7–8	Severe	Prolonged scratching even during feeding or play; multiple areas affected; skin sore.
9–10	Extreme	Almost constant scratching or chewing; dog rarely calms down.

Behaviours to watch

• Scratching — Hind feet, often ears, flanks, belly, feet
• Licking or biting — Paws, ankles, nasal folds, armpits
• Rubbing — Body against furniture or floor
• Head-shaking — Ears
• Scooting — If rear areas are involved

Chronic scratching can lead to redness, sores, hair loss, thickened skin, crusts, and odour.

Setting realistic goals

• Some residual itch (e.g. 2–4) may remain even with good control.
• A >50% improvement is often considered a win.
• Plotting scores over weeks shows improvement or flares — use Track the Itch to log daily.

For your vet
Track the Itch uses a validated 0–10 owner-reported pruritus scale. Reports include daily scores, variability, and elevated/extreme day counts for outcome assessment.