my dog has the kind of fur that a chow has...very thin and gooey underneatha and she gets matts?

Question

what do i do about making her skin less dry and making her chew obbseively on her skin

Answer 1

She needs grooming. The chewing might be allergies. See a vet. Our pets need quality pet food. Read the ingredients list and learn what the stuff on there is and what it does (or does not do) to/for our pets. A quick pet food 101. If the pet food contains corn/corn products or by products it is a poor quality food. Do not pay attention to advertising, they all say there food is great. Corn is a filler that can trigger skin problems. (allergies, skin problems, itching and excessive shedding) By products is anything from an animal not fit for human consumption, including cancerous tissue. Quality foods have meat as the first ingredient. California Natural, Solid Gold, Innova and Merrick are a few of the best brands available. If you want to learn more check out: http://www.sagekeep.com/petfood.htm www.api4animals.org/facts?p=359&more=1 http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoods.nsf/$$PetFoodsByRating?OpenForm

Answer 2

If she is "gooey" under the mats, she could have the starting of a "hot spot"....take her to the vet, or groomer and have her shaved...I'd suggest a #5 or #7 blade...I don't use guards, so I can't suggest a guard #..... also be careful not to let her get sunburned with short hair...(even if her hair is thin, it is long enough to mat)...shave her every three months throughout the year (if you keep her brushed EVERY DAY in winter, you will not need to shave her)...you may still need to see a vet for treatment of the "gooey" stuff.

Answer 3

~~there is a shampoo in the pet department at Wal-Mart called Mane and Tail... it was originally used for horses and now is used on humans, as well as dogs, and cats... there is a conditioner that goes with the shampoo that i would recommend when bathing your dog... this should help tremendously~~

Answer 4

Keeping her groomed will decreser the matting and chewing.