So my 5yr old Lab gets this problem every year in the winter. Her skin gets dry and i think it makes her pretty itchy (especially if her collar is on, she will stop during the walks and scratch).
What can i put in her food or message into her skin to help prevent this problem, because it really already looks like winter's here when we're out walking;)
thank you:)
first off, DO NOT feed your dog bacon fat!! don; t listen to that person who said you can - bacon fat can lead to Pancreatitis REAL easily ..
you can supplement her with some Salmon oil (great omega 3's and 6's that help with skin issues from the inside out) ... you can find salmon oil at most any pet store ... you usually add it onto their food ... if she doesn't enjoy the taste of the salmon, you can also buy fish oil capsules for dogs ... read more about salmon oil here:
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/G ... pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Try not to bathe her too much because it will strip the skin's natural oils. You CAN give her a bath once this winter, and I would opt for an Oatmeal shampoo AND conditioner, or Tea Tree shampoos are nice as well. More about oatmeal shampoo benefits:
http://www.ehow.com/about_5245780_oatmea ... There are also several topical sprays for dogs out there too such as oatmeal sprays and tea tree sprays to help with dry, itchy skin (without stripping the skin's natural oils like bathing tends to do).
*** ADD: with your dog getting the runs with fish, I would TRY the oil out for 2 weeks (just in case she is allergic to only the PROTEIN (meat) part of the fish, and not the fish oil itself), she MAY get some runs as alot of dogs will, but if it continues for more than 2 weeks, then you know it's fish oil your dog is allergic to ...
... If you have used oatmeal shampoos, do you allow it to sit on her for 10-15 minutes for it to take effect? Many shampoos (even if the label doesn't state it) needs several minutes of contact time with the skin in order for the full effect .... conditioner is really important here as well (you also want to leave this in for about 10 minutes) if you have done this, then I would try the Tea Tree shampoos out there - worked wonders for my dog ... I know this is all frustrating for you watching your dog kind of suffer, good luck.
Use a moisturizing shampoo.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Use a good quality conditioner after and between baths.
Grizzly Salmon oil
Brush daily with a boar bristle brush to help remove dry skin and spread the oils that are there.
Walmart has a good boar bristle brush in the hair care ethnic section. The brand is Evolve. # 575 has bristles on one side. There is also a model with bristles on both sides. $ 4 - $ 5.
If the dog's skin remains dry in the summer have a thyroid test (T4) done.
Chris Christensen has excellent moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
http://www.chrissystems.com/index.html Their products can also be ordered at
http://www.cherrybrook.com
If you have forced air heating in your home, that could be the cause.
Easiest way to add moisture to the dog's skin and coat is to add fat. Give her raw chicken skin, or cod liver oil, or a daily raw egg yolk (the white is protein). Start with small amounts; you don't want to upset her digestion. Gradually increase the amounts until her skin and coat improve and she is scratching much less.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com You might also check her collar and make sure it is clean and not irritating her.
At the vet, they have a lot of shampoos that do help skin, even though you may not think so. My dog used to have TERRIBLE skin after baths, but we went to the vet and got a shampoo called Mal-A-Ket ... Smells nice and works great.
I would try putting some olive oil in her food to hydrate her skin. It's probably because of the dryness
I often bathe my dog with a hypoallergenic oatmeal bath that will moisturize and not irritate his skin. Also, dermapaw is great for their paws, ears, and any dry patches. I purchase it online, as I don't think it's available in stores.
Bacon fat, fish oil (salmon oil is best),
The skin is dry due to the heat being on. My skin is very dry during the winter because of the dryness on the heating.
I would give the salmon oil a try, if after a couple weeks she is having a problem try olive oil. You might also want to get a humidifier for your home to help.
I put hamburger grease in my dogs food. They have great shiny coats. Basically greasy stuff added in will help their coats.
