what can I do for my dog's extremely dry skin.?

Answer 1

SELECTING A PET FOOD
http://www.api4animals.org/articles?p=361&more=1

Dog Feeding Info (top 10 foods according to the WDJ and specific health diets)
http://www.dogaware.com/

Answer 2

There are many products out there that you add to the food. Treating dry skin needs to be done from the inside out. There are derm caps and liquid, as well as many others. You can also use vegetable oil. Start out with a tablespoon and increase as time goes by. Give what your dog can tolerate without causing loose stool. No more than 3 tablespoons. There are also some good shampoos for immediate, temporary relief. Oatmeal and aloe is a good one. Stop by your vets and see what they have then go to Wal-Mart and try to find the same ingredients in something cheaper. Have worked for a vet for over 20 years I can honestly tell you that you can find similar products that don't have a 100%+ markup.

Answer 3

Salmon oil is an excellent oil for dogs (my vet recommended it years ago). Also a product made for dogs called Linatone is good. Why is the skin so dry? Might you be bathing too often? Try bathing less and use conditioner if you do. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

All of the answers about the oil's are good. You could also go to your vet for a medictaed shampoo and don't bathe your dog often. This will dry the skin and cause flaking and they will scratch more often becauses of the dryness.

Answer 5

It could also be his pet food. Sometimes dogs will have dry skin and hair loss due to dry skin. I don't think a vet will charge you for asking what brand of food to use for you dog.

Answer 6

Bathe your dog in Oatmeal Shampoo it is very good for the skin & will get rid of the dry skin, but becareful not to bathe your dog to often.

Answer 7

Try an Omega-3 supplement, assuming dry skin is the problem, and not underlying allergies. There is a brand my vet sells called Vet Solutions Aller-G3 treats. My dog has allergies so he needs more than supplements.

Answer 8

your dog needs more oils in its diet. switch to natural balance dog food. its incredible for their skin & coat. I tell this to my customers who ask this very question - and they come back a few weeks later saying "Wow! I cannot believe that worked!"

if you do switch, do it GRADUALLY (add a little more and a little more each day until its eventually just all the new food.)Otherwise, its a shock to the dogs system.

Answer 9

Like others have suggested, oil on the food is a good idea. Flax seed oil is great for skin and coat.

Answer 10

The vet at Petsmart said if you put a teaspoon of olive oil in with their food, it is good for their skin and their coat. You have to stir it up well.