dandruff

[K99]

It looks like my dog has dandruff. Can dogs get dandruff? Also his coat doesn't look as shiny and in good condition as it normally does. Is there anything I can do about it?

[logman]

Just a possibility but it could be a bacterial condition, my dog had this when i first got him and the vet gave me some shampoo, which worked wonders. I think its only available from vets, its called - Malaseb..

[lankeela]

Try giving him a bath with a good quality dog shampoo. Then put some oil in his food a couple of times a week (vegetable oil would do, or cod liver oil). Maybe a tin of sardines in oil occasionally. If he is fed on dry food, maybe you need to change to a better brand, the flaky, cornflake type is very dry and can cause scurf, and you should try a complete kibble type (the extruded pellets).

[Eels]

Oil is good, but the best kind is evening primrose - capsule a day in his food will make a difference within 4-6 weeks. If not, or if his skin becomes red, smelly or itchy, see a vet.

[woofgang]

My dog gets flakey skin when she sheds her coat in spring and autumn. I groom the skin flakes out with the old coat, give her a little more oil with her food and maybe bath a little more often.

She doesn't seem to be itchy and there is no baldness, redness, rash or spots,broken skin or greasiness. If there was, I would take her to the vet.

One other thing that can cause flakey itchy skin is an allergy, often to flea bites.

[Stinkerbell]

have you changed his food at all? sometimes dogs can have a reaction if you change their food. Also, you can get evening primrose shampoo which is very good but can be expensive.

[swamp duck]

I use cod liver oil, add a couple of mls in with the food eveyday. It's good for their fur and their joints.