how do you treat a dog for dry skin?

Answer 1

Bathe your dog as little as needed to keep its coat clean.
Brush your dog often to remove dead hair and dander.
If bathing is necessary, use a moisturizing shampoo made for dogs. Their pH is different from ours, so don't be tempted to use a human shampoo- it is much to harsh for their skin.
Follow a bath when necessary with a moisturizing rinse made for dogs and their special needs.
Don't forget that healthy hair and skin comes from within. Use a good quality, name brand food and consult with a veterinarian about the addition of fatty acid supplements which can make for healthier, glossier hair.

If it's raw dry skin, it skin can be difficult to treat, especially when the cause of the skin condition hasn't been determined.

The best thing you can do is treat your Dog with Frontline Combo which will kill all Fleas and their eggs, including Mites and Ticks. This stuff does work. Pet Store bought products never work and a bad Flea infestation can cause the symptoms you described.

I would also advise you to take your Dog to the Vet for a thorough examination. The cause of the skin condition does need to be determined before you proceed with treatment just incase this is fungal or bacterial related as this will require antibiotics and possibly steroids to treat.

However, until you make a Vet appointment (please make one as soon as possible) you can purchase some Sudocrem Cream from your Pharmacist. This cream is for humans but its also very good at reliving the itching, redness and imflammation on your Dogs skin. Apply this liberally 2-3 times a day to the affected area and within 3-5 days you should notice a improvement. This cream does not cause any side effects because it is very gentle on the skin.

Answer 2

The best and cheapest way is to get some cheap corn oil from the supermarket like Mazola or store brand and put a big drizzle of it on his food at every meal. Don't go too mad though as it can give him the runs. Have had show horses and dogs all my life and have always done it. It is cheaper than Omega 3 oils from the vet and does the same job. Dogs and horses like the taste too. It will stop the dry skin and flakes and he'll get a good shine on his coat, takes about 2 weeks to start seeing results.

Answer 3

Your problem is most likely coming from the inside out. You need to get your dog on a good quality diet. My personal opinion would be a raw diet, but if your not willing to do that then at least get some omega 6 & 3 fatty acids in it's diet. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, you can get cold water fish oil at the vet and put a few cc's in it food every day (dependednt on size), you could buy food high in fish ie salmon, you could simply buy can of sardiens and feed your dog one or two a week, or you could pick up some flax seed oil at the grocery store and add that to you dogs food. Which ever you choose to do you will be amazed by the improvement in your dogs coat and skin. It is a VERY noticible improvement in a VERY short time frame! People often ask me how I get my dogs coats so soft and shinny, and are surprised when they learn how easy it is to improve!

Answer 4

I have been working for pet retail approx. 13 years and basically the dry skin is caused by the food u r feeding your dog. Go to your local petco or petsmart and buy a small bag of nutromax dog food. In this food there is lineolic acid which are omega fatty oils. No extra vitamins are needed. Save your receipt because if your dog doesn't like it there is 100% satisfaction guaranteed and u will get your money back as long as most of the bag isn't gone. This is a highly premium food and well worth the money.

Answer 5

The first step would be to examine the food your dog is eating. A lot of times dry skin can be caused by the low quality ingredients in dog food! Switch to a Nutro brand product for your dog food. Nutro guarantees that the skin and coat condition will improve by switching to their products!

Also, bathe the dog no more than once per week, less if possible. Use dog shampoo that includes aloe, or is made for dry skin.

Brush the dog often as that will bring oils to the surface of the skin.

Answer 6

There is a dog food that guarantees healthy skin and coat. Check out nutroproducts.com I feed both my girls nutro and haven't had a problem since I've switched them which is saying a lot because of my girls (Summer) is a Golden Retriever. Less shedding, less allergies, and very shiney glossy coat. I bath her when needed (during allergy season once a month w/ a special shampoo). But the most important thing is the food. Try nutro if it doesn't work you get your money back 100%.

Answer 7

Take the dog to the vet. There are shampoos and washes especially for dry skin. Dont use those made for humans, they may cause an allergic reaction.

Answer 8

truthfully i think you need to find out why his skin is dry, could almost be anything. i wondering if it is a problem all over? i go by this general guide if its all over your dog its proberbly coming from the inside id look at food, if its feet or unerneath contact alleargy poss from hanging out on the grass ect, or if its localised it might even be mange there almost a distinctive smell to dogs skin with mange and it would more likly be scabby thank just dry
hope this helps :) flax seed oil on food again is amazing for skin and coat

Answer 9

omega-3 fish oils you can find this at a pet store or i have a dog with dry skin and i spray Avon's skin so soft on him it also keeps fleas and flys away in the summer time

Answer 10

My dog has dry skin. We give her Fish Oil gel things with each meal and when we bathe her we but on this cream rinse we got from our vet.