Allergies? no.... dry skin

[My Wesley]

Well apparently the Innova EVO has the Omega 3 in it already. But I do think I will try the Arctic Vigour. I feel so bad for the poor pup and his itchy, dry skin.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm glad it's not food allergies. His stools are nice and solid. Only a few loose ones, but that seems to be when we have him out of his orient, like at a friends house or something.

I'll update later once I try out the oils. THANKS!

[Zippy]

When they process kibble, any kind of kibble, the omegas get burned off when they cook it.

They still list it, as it *was* there once upon a time.

That's why adding some fish oils really makes a difference to their coats.

Glad to hear that Lias' coat is nice and shiny....she is a lovely pup!! ;D

[luvzcavs]

I use fish oil and give 3 a day the dogs love them and will eat them like lollies or I just chuck em in their food.

I would also suggest an oatmeal based shampoo and conditioner or leave in conditioner.
I use virbac episoothe shampoo and resisoothe leave in conditioner. Not sure if you can get these in your area ?

[Karlin]

Shampooing and conditioning as frequently as you note, could very likely be the cause of his dry skin. Most vets will say to try and not shampoo more than once a month or better yet, every two-three months (that's all I do). If the dog is dirty just rinse with warm water -- I simply take mine swimming; even if they get muddy they dry out, the dirt brushes out and they are nice and white again simply from the swim, which takes off the dusty dirt. About every two-three weeks I'd get them wet and then let them dry out and they look white and fluffy again. Have never had any dry sking problems.

Dogs really need their skin oils to keep skin from drying out and to coat their hair. Every shampoo strips out all this oil.

Some dogs do seem to tolerate more frequent washing but I'd talk to your vet. Especially if you are blow-drying every week or two, I'd guess that's the issue, not food. Food allergies are really not very common -- I know very few dogs that actually have food problems or allergies.

[My Wesley]

Well, in the beginning it was once a week. I've moved to about every two weeks now. I just think he gets a little stinky. I like fresh smelling pups!

I think I may need to look into some doggy cologne or something.

I will definitely cut down his baths though. Maybe condition every two weeks, and shampoo and condition every month or so. At least until I an find a decent smelling cologne.

Thanks again!

Oh and yes, he gets the blowdry. I dry to do it to where he's still just a little wet under there because most times I want to take him potty immediately since he's just a pup, but it's freezing out so I don't want him to turn into an icicle. I'll definitely try air drying and just let him do that in his crate or a confined area until he's dry enough to go out in the cold.

[Zippy]

Why don't you take him potty before his bath??

Then he's good for a couple of hours at least.

They don't need a bath every two weeks, it'll reallly dry him out, make him terribly itchy.

He's a bit young for cologne, he's just a puppy.

You might be better to just wash him off with plain water, if it's a concern!