Dogs
by Pat Bradley, DVM
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Vitamin E: one 400 IU gelcap 2 or 3 times weekly for a medium to large dog– puncture the gelcap and squeeze the oil onto his food. Use alone or with one of the other oils mentioned below.
Codliver oil: a great way to get skin-nourishing Vitamins A and D. Have you tried any lately? Some brands taste so great that my granddaughters beg for it! Nordic Naturals makes one specifically for pets. You can order it at the link, if you like.
Fish oil: Salmon oil is my favorite supplement for dogs with dry skin. And my favorite brand is Alaskan Bear Treats. I predict that Ramsey’s Bloodhound nose will declare it irresistable, and his Pit Bull half will bulldoze the way straight to his food dish.
As with any new thing, start gradually and don’t overdo it! You should start seeing a positive change within a few weeks.
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© copyright Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved
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Dogs
Ask the Vet, with Dr. Pat: Easy, At-Home Treatments for Doggie Dry Skin
by Pat Bradley, DVM
 |
| Dry Skin Can Be Easily Treated at Home |
Hello Dr. Pat:
I could write 10 questions but will keep it to just one. My Ramsey, a Pitbull/Bloodhound mix (I know...a nose driven terrier. funny) has a problem with dry skin. His vet says he does not have allergies. We did tests that turned up nothing. Dr. G says he just has dry skin and offered a spray on stuff for after his baths. It was VERY expensive so I declined. Can you recommend a natural moisturizing treatment that I can make or buy for him...perhaps something not terribly pricey.
Thanks, Janice
Hi Janice,
Before I answer YOUR question, let me ask YOU one: What is the largest organ in Ramsey’s body? (Keep reading! The answer will be revealed!)
You can make an inexpensive moisturizer for his skin by putting a tablespoon of coconut oil and a cup of water in a spray bottle. Spritz lightly, shaking often. (I mean shake the bottle of course, but the coconut scent will smell so much like the beach that it will make you feel like dancing!)
Common diseases like hypothyroidism can cause dry skin. But since you said “tests turned up nothing”, I’ll assume medical conditions have been ruled out.
What do you feed Ramsey? Dogs who eat dry dog food often have dry skin. While we all know the advantages of buying and feeding dry dog food, one disadvantage is that the skin and coat often don’t get optimum nutrition. Paradoxically, the best moisturizers for Ramsey’s OUTSIDE are the ones you put INSIDE. And I don’t mean spritzing coconut moisturizer down his throat.
So what can we do? First, let’s see if you know the answer to my question: What’s Ramsey’s largest organ? His skin. And it sounds like his skin could use some extra nutrition! Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Vitamin E: one 400 IU gelcap 2 or 3 times weekly for a medium to large dog– puncture the gelcap and squeeze the oil onto his food. Use alone or with one of the other oils mentioned below.
Codliver oil: a great way to get skin-nourishing Vitamins A and D. Have you tried any lately? Some brands taste so great that my granddaughters beg for it! Nordic Naturals makes one specifically for pets. You can order it at the link, if you like.
Fish oil: Salmon oil is my favorite supplement for dogs with dry skin. And my favorite brand is Alaskan Bear Treats. I predict that Ramsey’s Bloodhound nose will declare it irresistable, and his Pit Bull half will bulldoze the way straight to his food dish.
As with any new thing, start gradually and don’t overdo it! You should start seeing a positive change within a few weeks.
Pat
For a personal consultation about your pet's needs, visit Holistic Veterinary Services.
Dr. Pat's opinion or advice does not replace an actual exam with a veterinarian
Visit Adopt a Dog Park
Help protect our precious dog parks
© Carrie Boyko, all rights reservedFollow All Things Dog at Twitter Find me at Facebook
© copyright Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved
Bookmark this on Delicious
- Ask The Vet, With Dr. Pat: Protecting Your Dog From The Sun's Rays
by Dr. Pat Bradley, DVM Dear Dr. Pat: I am a teacher and have a rambunctious little Jack Russel mix that loves to be outdoors. We plan a lot of hiking and swimming this summer, while I am off from work. Can you give me some guidelines for keeping...
- Home Remedies For Dry Skin On Dogs
While your puppy or dog may be a playful little companion for you, and you probably believe that having a pet is all fun and games, the truth is even this little one is prone to its own set of problems and illnesses. Among the many problems that...
- Coconut Oil For Toenail Fungus
A fungus toenail infection cannot only be discomforting, but can make for awkward social situations if you're at the beach, or at the pool. Whatever the case may be, toenail fungal infections aren't very pleasant. Using coconut oil for a fungus...
- Dry Skin Remedies For Dogs
You dog's skin might become dry due to several reasons. You can cure it by trying various home remedies. Winter season is the most common reason for dry skin in dogs. Moreover, improper diet, poor hygiene and other medical conditions might be...
- Itchy Skin On Dogs
The problem of itchy skin in dogs is caused due to different dog health problems. Diseases caused due to these problems can give you a hard time in maintaining the skin and coat of your pet dog. Itchy dog skin can also get quite troublesome for the...