I heard that by adding oil to your dog's food it can help their coat and skin. My dogs is very itchy, I think it is dry skin. I think the oil would hlep but I have no idea what kind of oil it is...my guess Virgin Olive Oil?!
2007-09-20 03:36:09 · 11 answers · asked by Monkey 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Any animal fat or even olive oil will do. Fish oil is good too as is flax oil.
2007-09-20 03:42:15 · answer #1 · answered by mama woof 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oil can cause diarrhea, so go easy on that.
Dry skin and dull coat are more likely from the food she eats. I don't know what you feed her, but try a better food if you are giving her supermarket junk or Science Diet.
Canidae chicken and rice is targeted towards healthy coats, on top of being excellent nutrition.
Since I switched my 6 to Canidae, their skins are no longer dry and flaky and their coats shine - it has made an enormous difference.
At least try a good dry with meat listed as the first ingredient, and no corn fillers. Ideal is protein 30% and fat 18% - as close to that as you can find. Go to a feed store, Tractor Supply, or large pet store - not the supermarket or Walmart - they don't sell top grade dog food.
2007-09-20 03:49:27 · answer #2 · answered by rescue member 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You want Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. These are found best in cold fish oils. The ingredient that is best is Eicosapentanoic acid, or EPA. You can get Fish Oil capsules (check the label) at any pharmacy like Walmart over the counter. 1000mg per 20lbs. is fine daily. Vets usually carry brands like Dermcaps or 3Vcaps. Fish oils help keep the skin supple, the coat shiny, and they are anti-itch.
I would not use other oils--they are mostly fat calories and will add weight. Bacon grease may cause diarrhea or a pancreatitis attack--seen it.
2007-09-20 03:45:24 · answer #3 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All of my dogs get a bit of vegetable oil - 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon depending on the size of your dog. Long haired dogs or older dogs whose coats need more oil get salmon oil or flax seed oil - both have omega 3 fatty acids and if you give your dog either salmon oil or flax seed oil you'll be able to see and feel the difference in coat within a couple of weeks. Commercial dog foods don't contain enough oil to keep a dog's coat in great condition.
2007-09-20 03:47:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I give my boy the basic fish oil capsules from the vitamin section at CVS or Walgreens. Probably don't really need to, his skin flakies went away once I switched his food to Canidae, but I figure the Omega 3/6 is still good for him... I don'e even mix it with his food, he will eat the things plain.
2007-09-20 05:53:36 · answer #5 · answered by Rachal961 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They make special bottles of oil mixes for dogs. You can find these at pet stores. You can try brewer's yeast tablets for dogs too. These can also be found in the pet section. Once you start using them it takes some time to see results depending on your dog before you started giving it to him. Both are really inexpensive too, about 2-3 dollars.
2007-09-20 03:44:23 · answer #6 · answered by happygirl14 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its olive oil, i use it on my dog it works
only add a teaspoon though
2007-09-20 04:02:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i occasionally give my dog some vitamin e into his food . You really don't need to do it. I just do it because he really likes the taste of it
2007-09-20 04:02:30 · answer #8 · answered by =] 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure about oils, but I've heard bacon grease works pretty well. I use it occasionally and don't have any problems. And the BLT's are good too.
2007-09-20 03:40:25 · answer #9 · answered by Russ B 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
If you are feeding a quality food, you don't need to add anything.
2007-09-20 03:44:12 · answer #10 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋