10 replies to this topic

[bryant]

I have a 3 year old black lab, that has consistent problem with dry skin. He looks like he has a bad case of dandruff. We bath him weekly with non allergenic, natural shampoo. We also apply a natural oil to reduce the dryness of his skin. We have him on Natures balance as his food source. His coat will look good for about 4-5 days after a bath and then the dandruff condition returns. Any suggestions

[Martlet]

I have a 3 year old black lab, that has consistent problem with dry skin. He looks like he has a bad case of dandruff. We bath him weekly with non allergenic, natural shampoo. We also apply a natural oil to reduce the dryness of his skin. We have him on Natures balance as his food source. His coat will look good for about 4-5 days after a bath and then the dandruff condition returns. Any suggestions

I'm certainly no expert, but I'd suggest you are bathing him far too frequently. That certainly would add to the problem.

[pam]

Everything I've been told says to bath them only when necessary, as little as every two or three months. It sounds icky, but there are several folks here who use wipes to freshen them up between baths. And no need to buy expensive doggie wipes --- baby wipes will do. Most of the doggie odour comes from around their mouths, which you can clean without having to immerse them completely.

Hope this helps!

[violent_storm2000]

I agree with Martlet. Labs have oils in their skin and bathing them too often will wash away these oils making their skin dry. Dogs do not need a regular bath to keep them clean. A good brushing done weekly is normaly eneough to keep them clean. Water itself really will not hurt their skin but using shampoo even dog shampoo can and will remove the oils in their skin. Just bath the pup when they are very dirty. I generaly only bath my pups (past and present) once every other month in a flea bath. Remember that dogs do not sweat therefore do not need to be bathed to keep clean. You can buy doggie moisturizer at the pet store that you use when you brush them to make them smell pretty.

If the pup is still dry after a few weeks of not bathing him take a look at his diet.

[Shelly & Abby in KY]

Adding a cooked egg to their food everyday helps sometimes with this also.

[Jodi&Bodi]

Try using Miracle Coat...My 1 year old black lab was having constant dandruff and this works well. After bathing or swimming just spray it on, let it dry and then brush, its like a leave in conditioner. It works great and makes their coat shine! Also, the advice about not bathing as often is beneficial- it can depleate thier skin of necessary oils. Hope this helps!!!

[suzanne & harley]

Second to the bathing comments.

From what I've read Labs should be bathed (with shampoo) even less than other "ordinary" dogs due to the water repellant oils that are naturally in their coat.


I've heard the egg advise and have several friends that swear by it.

Harley gets 2 eggs per week added to her food.
We also suppliment her diet with Omega3 fish oil capsules and it has really made a big difference in her coat and skin. No more dandruff and her fur just glistens.

[IanWilkinson]

Second to the bathing comments.

From what I've read Labs should be bathed (with shampoo) even less than other "ordinary" dogs due to the water repellant oils that are naturally in their coat.
I've heard the egg advise and have several friends that swear by it.

Harley gets 2 eggs per week added to her food.
We also suppliment her diet with Omega3 fish oil capsules and it has really made a big difference in her coat and skin. No more dandruff and her fur just glistens.

I also give Phoebe the odd tin of sardines as a change from the egg. Maybe just hokum, but I think the oily fish is good for her coat. Even if it's not, she loves them!

[lindaa]

Just curious Ian, what is her breath like after sardines?

[IanWilkinson]

Just curious Ian, what is her breath like after sardines?

She tends not to sit in my lap, so breath is rarely an issue. Also her regular feed is called 'Chappie' - which I don't think you have in the USA, and which has a lot of fish in it anyway - so I'm used to it for an hour or so after she's eaten.

[Heather]

we feed them their dry food... I add warm water to soften it and 2-3 times a week we add a couple tablespoons of canned to the food.. & Peanut butter in the kong toy occasionally.. it seems to help keep their coat shiny.. but we do still get some dandruff.. it is however time for their bath.. we do it as needed.. maybe once a month at most. I wanna say the last time I bathed them was around x-mas.. So it's been a good long while.. and we had dirt in the backyard till recently that they loved rolling around in.. My vet told me today.. that he defenitely reccomends the canned added to the dry to give them a shiny coat.. We do have gas heat.. and it's a very dry in our house.. like the sahara.. so we could be losing moisture that way and maybe should get a humidifyer in the bedroom.

We tried the egg with Duke's food.. I tried it raw.. he loved it.. gobbled it right down.. but it was not so good later on when we went to potty.. might have been because he never had it b4.. but he had awful runs.. I tried it cooked.. and he won't go near it now.. NO WAY he says.. never again.. wonder if he knows what caused the runs..

Fish oils are great for the dog coat, eyes & brain too.. Wellness brand dog food has Salmon in it!! There is even a whitefish version of the food.. Duke's still on the puppy version.. so we haven't tried it.. But I wouldn't say he has fishy breath. I give them a greenie dog treat once in a while.. it's in the shape of a toothbrush.. they love chewing on those..