Dry Skin?

[rnasto]

Its not a prescription SD its just the dry skin stuff from petsmart. The only prescription is the omega-3 and thats for a limited time only.

[renaultf1]

You're definitely not alone in the shedding…Brando is seriously shedding...I keep joking with him saying, "Bran...it's winter...you need to keep your fur."

Anyway, fish oil (contains omega 3) definitely helps with the b's dry skin in my house. Their main winter food is Orijen (6 Fresh Fish) and I've started giving Brando a pump of Grizzly Salmon Oil on his food as well.

rnasto...you could also try a fish based food (does Indy like fish?).

[Kananga]

Yes… they are definitely NOT "shed less dogs". I excepted some shedding but I was surprised how much fur gets left behind.

I've been putting a small amount of olive oil in his dish and coating his dry food in the oil. Small amount, probably less than a teaspoon with each meal. I'll see how effective it is before trying fish oil.

[rnasto]

Indy loves fish….but fish don't love Indy so unfortunately thats not an option for us. We will see how the food works and hopefully that will sort it out.

[Kananga]

I picked up some fish oil just in case. He seemed to like it.

I also picked up a new brand of food. Blue Buffalo Wildnerness has worked but I am still hesitant since its not completely free of grains.

I'm trying out Nature's Variety Instinct - Rabbit Meal Formula. It's a bit more money but it's 100% grain free.

[kiroja]

If fish clashes with your dog, then you could try flaxseed oil maybe?

Also I would recommend a better quality food than SD. I know vets recommend it, but they're paid to do so.

I've never fed it but I believe Avoderm has a food that focuses on coat?

Kananga, yes I love Prairie's instinct! However I'm saving the rabbit formula for in case I ever have a dog with allergies and need a new protein source. But the chicken is one of my top 3 favs for dry rotation and I only feed grain free food and raw.

[rnasto]

Actually, we were feeding Prarie, and thats what did it to him…heh wierd how different dogs react differently to things.

Does anyone know if there are any long term side effects of feeding Omega-3 pills? He seems to be doing really well on those

[Ninabeana26]

Dallas has been shedding a lot lately as well. He has dry skin all over his backside. I started giving him a capsule of fish oil with his meal each day. It's been helping relieve some of the dryness. Although, it really is just that time of year with dry skin being everywhere, humans too. I know I have had to go get more pedicures lately :p

[snorky998]

Now I'm confused. I want to add a dry skin supplement, but also want to stay within the confines of the household budget so I was considering something other than the omega-3 caps.

I've been reading at other sources and some say flax seed or flax seed oil does little or no good–something about oxygenation rendering the seed useless and the oil turning rancid in a short amount of time.

Eggs are out of the question as Tyler is allergic. Household oils such as olive oil and corn oil don't provide the nutrients/benefits I'm looking for (in my older dog) and also have the side effect of loose stools/diarrhea.

Is there anything on the market that addresses the dietary needs (hair, skin, joints, etc) of an older B. that the omega-3 does, but doesn't cost as much and doesn't have the controversy surrounding it about 'long term use' of omega-3? Just wondering.

If I go with the omega-3 caps, please advise what the dosage is, and in what frequency.

Thanks, Dawn

[tanza]

I have always used 3V Caps for years and years, one a day. Don't know if this fits with your budget, here is a link. These were recommended by many breeder Vets and by our Orthopedic (sp) Vet for joints along with hair coat when my Maggii back in 1991 broken her leg and had to have a plate and two surgeries.. those that know her can tell you she never had a lame day in her life…. and while they don't say they are for joints... our Ortho Vet is one of the best in the country, so... I trust anything he says... (and he is a breeder also)

http://www.discountpetdrugs.com/3vcapforsmal.html

[nomrbddgs]

I'll put my two cents in-it may or may not help you. With the Boxenji, Zina, I've gone through many different kinds of food. I've found grain free doesn't always mean grain free. IMO, flax is a grain. I gave Zina 'grain free' food, and she still blew up like a balloon and had itchy face and feet. I switched to Orijen, which has no grains, or lettuce or flax seeds, by the way, and she's doing wonderful. Beautiful skin and coat and best of all itchies are limited! No dry skin, and for her size, (65 lbs) I feed her about maybe 3 cups total a day and she's gained weight as well. She didn't do well on raw either which is why I switched. I don't know if this is an option for you. Orijen is basically a baked raw food. I use the fish mix. Stinks like …. but works great.

[snorky998]

Thank you for the suggestions and links. I think I'll try the 3V caps first as food changes are hard on the old man.

[tanza]

I just prick the 3V Caps with a pin and squeeze out the liquid into the food… doesn't have much of a taste.

Snorky998 brings up a good point about changing the diet and a good reason to vary your dogs food... It is hard on the elders to change the diet as they age... I went through that with my elders.... So, by changing their food (or rotating), I think it makes it easier and keeps their interest in eating when they really get old...

[renaultf1]

@tanza:

I just prick the 3V Caps with a pin and squeeze out the liquid into the food… doesn't have much of a taste.

Snorky998 brings up a good point about changing the diet and a good reason to vary your dogs food... It is hard on the elders to change the diet as they age... I went through that with my elders.... So, by changing their food (or rotating), I think it makes it easier and keeps their interest in eating when they really get old...

Pat, how often do you rotate food?

[lvoss]

I rotate about every month. A bag of food lasts about a month in my house so I just buy a different brand the next time I buy food. I rotate about 3 foods.

[snorky998]

Rotate with a few days of mixing? or just a straight change?

[kiroja]

I pretty much do the same as Lisa.

When I switch bags, I mix 50/50 for a couple days.

[Kananga]

Well i've noticed so far that the fish oil has made a difference. I see far less flaking of his skin and he isn't scratching as much. His coat also seems to be much better. He still has some dry spots but they are improving. So far so good.

[renaultf1]

@Kananga:

Well i've noticed so far that the fish oil has made a difference. I see far less flaking of his skin and he isn't scratching as much. His coat also seems to be much better. He still has some dry spots but they are improving. So far so good.

Glad it is working. Wait 'til you see how soft his coat gets from fish oil. I call Ruby the "mink basenji" and even Brando, who has a much coarser coat normally, now has a velvet coat.

[Lunas]

I use Derma Caps for Cairo. He has always had dry skin and scratches some of his hair off. This was recommended by his vet and it works great.