How to help a dog from having dry skin and scratching all the time?

Question

I moved from an area that is humid to an area that is dry and my dog is constantly itching from dry skin. i tried medicated shampoo and a off the shelf cortisone spray but nothing seems to work. Is there anything i can do? He has a flea collar so i think fleas are out of the question.

we are also feeding him eukanuba dog food.

Answer 1

Be careful not to confuse dry skin with mange. Look out for other symptoms:
It might look like dry, flaky skin and you might see some irritation, red dots on the skin that look like a rash and a lot of hair loss, scratching that worsens at night.
There are 2 different types of mange, Demodex and sarcoptic mange, the first can be triggered by stress and low immune system, the second is contagious and can be spread from dog to dog. A vet will be able to recommend the right treatment.

If your dog just has dry skin, don't bathe him too frequently, it will make matters worse; but a premium food rich in fatty acids and Omega 6 will improve his skin and make his coat lustrous and shiny.

Answer 2

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RE:
How to help a dog from having dry skin and scratching all the time?
I moved from an area that is humid to an area that is dry and my dog is constantly itching from dry skin. i tried medicated shampoo and a off the shelf cortisone spray but nothing seems to work. Is there anything i can do? He has a flea collar so i think fleas are out of the question.

Answer 3

Did you try a warm bath with oatmeal shampoo and conditioner for dogs.Also for the itching you can use children's benedryl 25 mgs for a med or a large dog if its a small dog call the vet and get the dosage.It will help with itching.theres more than one type of benedryl the one that dogs can have only has one chemical not two .The chemical is diphenhydramine..ask your vet .Make sure you don't use it all the time just when its really bad .I hate to see it when animals take to much pills .If the dogs fur is kinda wet you can use a cream cortisone it spreads easier in wet hair.I never liked the sprays they seem like they sting.Try to stay away from predisone last the last of the last resort .I think its over used these days and it will just mask whats there and the side effect are not so good. Good luck

Answer 4

Unfortunately, your dog may have been exposed to a kind of skin infection or parasite, possibly mange, that didn't live where you did before. Flea collars only protect the neck, as my vet says, so you might want to get a real preventative. Ticks are more common in dry environments. Check him for those.

I'm afraid to say you probably should take your dog to the vet just in case it's something serious. The vet might even have something to moisturize the skin or a better diet suggestion.

Answer 5

One of my dogs had this problem. Turns out he had allergies and now gets a shot at the vet as needed. About a day or two after his shot his skin was no longer flaking and he stopped scratching. Now at the first sign he's uncomfortable we just take him for a booster, they aren't that expensive.

Answer 6

You are making the problem worse with the shampoos, those are drying. The flea collar can be aggrivating the situation too, those have dangerous chemicals in them. What do you feed him? Food allergies are common in animals. I suggest you add a little Olive Oil to his food everyday (about a tablespoon). Also, massage some of the oil into his scalp. Olive Oil is very soothing and works wonders inside and outside. Also, make sure he has lots of water.

Answer 7

It might be allergies. My vet said that my dog had allergies and that they manifest in itchy skin. You can just give your pet over the counter allergy medicine, suggested half dose or less depending on the size of your pet.

Can also check with the vet. There may be a more specific medicine they can suggest. If it is dry skin, try a different shampoo.

Answer 8

Make sure there is no allergy to food-Check with the vet too for any antihistimines for the dog to take. I have a weimaraner with very, very dry, sensative skin-I use a gentle oatmeal shampoo and skin conditioner on her, and I put flaxseed oil (2 tbsp.) a week in her food. It really has helped. Give benadryl for a severe case of itch or swelling, but you should check with your vet for correct dosage. Good Luck.

Answer 9

Omega -3 supplements, flax seed oil,sardines,canned salmon or mackeral .You did not say whether your dog was long or short haired & what breed it was. All the above will work & should be part of every dogs diet regardless of skin conditions. You'll notice a difference in the coat right away. And read the ingredients in your dog food...if you won't eat it ,they won't either.

Answer 10

The vet can give you a script for special shampoo. Also don't bathe your dog more than once a month. My Schnauzer suffered it and the vet said it was because I bathed him too often.
So I followed my vets advice and the skin problem cleared up pretty quickly.