Skip to content

Skin & coat supplements?

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • I just adopted a beautiful Basenji who was found emaciated and dehydrated about a month ago. He has received excellent, loving care since then and is steadily gaining back the weight. I have a vet appointment for him in 2 weeks, but in the meantime, I am wondering if there are any supplements I can give him to help improve the condition of his coat which took a beating, I assume, from the malnutrition he suffered. I have started giving him 1000mg of fish oil once a day, but is there anything else that I could add to help with his flaky skin and dull, brittle coat?
    Many thanks in advance!

  • I think that you just need to continue with the good food, the fish oil and let it work through his system. It will take time for him to heal from the inside out! Sounds to me like you are doing all the right things!

  • I agree, good quality food… A good fish oil ( or equivalent supplement...some use different oils) and not too much attention such as bathing, stripping, brushing....better off letting it turn itself rather than agitating the coat. Time and lots of love and plenty of water to rehydrate the entire body....hope to get pics!

  • We agree with Tanza as far as the good quality food goes. Evo is very good food and will help the coat. There is a product called Rex Oil that you can find at some pet stores. It is 100% pure wheat germ oil which is a natural source of vitamin E and it good for the skin and coat. You can also look for a similar product called Pet Guard.

    By the way Rex oil is made in IL.

  • Right now because Taste of The Wild High Prairie (Bison) is on the recall list, Kipawa is eating Acana kibble, NRG dehydrated food, blueberries, melons, broccoli ad other tasty, healthy things. The oil we use is Udo's 3-6-9, and I am very happy with his coat. Bless you for helping out one of these wonderful creatures.

Suggested Topics

  • Dry, flaky skin

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    9k Views
    D
    @prasadvaze There are wipes which you can use instead of baths, I imagine most of them neutralize odors and have a fresh scent. Perhaps try those? Mine have always had no detectable smell except after I bath them, then they smell “doggy” for a day or so. Here are a couple of ones I looked up but I have never tried any. https://www.chewy.com/natures-miracle-spring-waters/dp/108468 https://www.chewy.com/tropiclean-deep-cleaning-deodorizing/dp/128836 What kind of smell / odor?
  • Flakey skin…

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    12k Views
    M
    Hi All, Thought i'd give you a little update! My lil lady had her food changed from Eukanuba medium pup to Royal Canin Mini (she's a very small basenji and doubt she'll get bigger than 10k when fully grown so thought this one best) I also bought her a Pet Head shampoo 'Royal Treatment' with oatmeal and aloe. She loves her new food and never leaves a crumb now, has a bath once every two weeks (instead of every week) and has a treat of sardines or yogurt every couple of days. Her skin is much better, little flaking and her coat looks much better now. Thank you guys for all the advice!
  • Basenjis and winter coats

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    7k Views
    agilebasenjiA
    mine wear coats a lot in the winter. My boyz wear coats inside as it is often chilly inside. Of course my boyz are almost 14 and 15; I don't worry as much about Z who will be 5 next month. The real problem here is the wind. It can be bitterly cold when that wind blows. So I make sure to get them a coat that blocks the wind. Regular fleece feels like nothing out here. I don't do boots, but sometimes I wonder if I should. the B's are pathetic rotating which foot is held up not touching the cold snowpacked ground. I also increase food on cold days. Having said all that, right now it is sunny and in the mid 60s and feels great! I even have a window open. Of course a few years ago when my parents visited, we had a blizzard for Thanksgiving.
  • 0 Votes
    2 Posts
    3k Views
    Kris_ChristineK
    The following link will take you to an informative vaccine article covering the 2010 Safer Pet Vaccination Seminar with Drs. Jean Dodds and Ronald Schultz entitled Shot in the Dark: What to Know about Pet Vaccination Programs by Kim Campbell Thornton http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2010/04/01/shot-in-the-dark-what-to-know-about-pet-vaccination-programs/ .
  • Allergy & Skin Issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    13k Views
    MDSPHOTOM
    Hydroxizine AKA Atarax is a great drug for treating severe allergies, it is by far the best antihistamine for reducing itching. It does have a high amount of sedation as a side effect and is also marketed as a sleep aid. OTC Zyrtec is a good alternative since it is a metabolite of Atarax and has less sedation. You may want to find a vet that specializes in allergy treatment and have the dog skin tested to identify exactly what it is and isn't allergic to. You could consider allergen immunotherapy to reduce and potentially eliminate the allergies.
  • Vitamin Supplement

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    K
    I just use Missing Link, and have recently switched over to the one w/ glucosamine for the oldsters. They're not that old, but they're heavy performance dogs.