dandruff

[tapout187]

I have a 7 month old rotty and he gets some mad dandruff. I have a sprayer that fits on the shower head and I use puppy shampoo with a puppy conditioner that i got from petsmart. Yet Duque still has dandruff. I rinse him thoroughly also. Could he maybe have a skin problem or should I get a new shampoo?

[Leahjean]

My vet gave Leah and Baron injections for "itchy"skin and dandruff looking flakes..told me to make conditioner that I use on my own hair with a little water ,put in a spray bottle and use daily...which I have been doing does great!!!!!! on their dry coat,as I hardly ever bathe them,I brush instead ,the vet says that was wise,and that they are clean...they need all their natural oils to be left on them...Right from the Vet's Mouth to my ear....now to yours :)

[CarolineS]

Dandruff can quite often be traced back to diet. If the food you're feeding is low in fatty acids, this could cause it. Sometimes the shampoo you use can actually cause the dandruff, as can bathing too frequently.

I would take a good look at the quality of his food and back off on the frequency of bathing him. Unless he gets into something really dirty and smelly, regular brushing should take care of his coat.

I bathe my dogs once or twice a year. I do it more to get rid of loose hair when they're blowing coat than to actually clean them. They really don't get very dirty. Their coats seem to be just oily enough that they shed most dirt.

[Leahjean]

I feed high end diet,Canidae,and they still have dry and itchy skin...Summer is just hard on them,especially here,drought!!!!we need some rain,terribly,Ohio.....but because my food suits mine,maybe yours may have problems with yours,let us know and one will tell you if it's fit to feed,we have some enthusiasts who do not hesitate telling what foods are good and which is junk....in a nice way,they have good advice!!!

[tapout187]

well thanks for all the advice so far. I bathe Duque about every 10 days. That way he isn't too smelly or anything. he doesn't stay outside but he does get out there and gets hot and sweaty. I feed him Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Formula(it is what the vet started him on). I asked her about that and she said his type food is not the case. I will try to use some conditioners and see if that helps. Thanks for the info!

[Roscoe's dad]

I have to disagree with your vet, the dandruff dry flakey skin could be from her diet. please do a search for a better quality kibble. You may want to give her a couple of canned sardines with her kibble from time to time. Bathing every 10 days sounds excessive to me, considering Guido gets 2 a year max.:)

[Homerhomer]

Originally posted by tapout187
well thanks for all the advice so far. I bathe Duque about every 10 days. That way he isn't too smelly or anything. he doesn't stay outside but he does get out there and gets hot and sweaty. I feed him Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Formula(it is what the vet started him on). I asked her about that and she said his type food is not the case. I will try to use some conditioners and see if that helps. Thanks for the info!

That's were the problem is, bathing every ten days is way to often, 2 or 3 times per year (unless the dog gets into something smelly) is more like it. Conditioners are IMO not the answer here. The food may or may not be the problem, but since the problem exist why not try a better brand (canidae, innove, california natural etc). If the skin is dry try adding fish oil capsules, this may very well solve the problem (should see the results in 2 weeks or so). Daily brushing is also a good idea.
BTW dogs don't sweat (ecxept on their paws), so smell has a different source which may well be diet related.

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally posted by Homerhomer


That's were the problem is, bathing every ten days is way to often, 2 or 3 times per year (unless the dog gets into something smelly) is more like it. Conditioners are IMO not the answer here.

My dogs don't get a bath unless it is raining when we take our walks, are outside playing, or go for a swim (swimming is new so it doesn't happen to often). Their coats are shiny, soft, and they don't have any skin problems. Nor do they smell. I like the way they smell actually and people have commented that they don't smell like a dog LOL . I know what they mean but how can a dog not smell like a dog LMAO . If you do bathe your dog I think HH has the right idea, a couple of times a year. Remember, our breed's coat is low maintenance and brushing is about all it needs.

[Miabella]

I agree, bathing every 10 days is way too often. My Rottie gets a bath about every 6-8 weeks, or when I can feel a little oily dirt residue on my hand after petting. During the winter, I generally don't bathe her at all from Thanksgiving until March. I brush her daily, so she never really gets that dirty, and she never smells. She is by far the least smelly dog I've ever known.

My other dog, the Beagle, is getting monthly baths because he gets that musky smell that all hound dogs have.

[tapout187]

ok I will cut down on the baths. I will look into a different food to. I just bathed him every 10 days cause that is what the flea shampoo says. I try to follow the rules on most things so I will try a different route. his coat is fine and soft but he gets that dandruff. I will try the new stuff and let everyone know how he does. Thanks for all the posts.

[Miabella]

Ooh geez, you don't need to be using flea shampoo all the time either! That stuff is pretty harsh, try using something like an oatmeal shampoo formulated for dogs that you can get at any pet store. If you are worried about fleas, a once a month application of Advantage or Frontline is the safest and most effective way to go. Good luck!

[Homerhomer]

Originally posted by tapout187
I just bathed him every 10 days cause that is what the flea shampoo says.

Unfortunately many manufacturers will tell you to use their stuff often so they can sell more.
If you are worried about flees there are probably other ways to go about it.

[Judi W]

Flea shampoo is even more harsh on the skin and coat than regular doggy shampoo. (think about the chemicles it needs to have in it). If he doesn't have fleas, of course he doesn't need the protection. If he does, talk to your vet about a better option for prevention.

Also, dogs do not sweat, so he is not coming in smelling from sweating. If his skin is irritated however, his body will be attempting to compensate for it.

Now, I bath perhaps more often than some (usually about every 3 months or so), but still only as needed or just before a series of shows. The rest of the time a good brushing and if truly muddy, a good wipe with a wet towell takes care of most of the dirt. A healthy Rottweiler rarely has any doggy odor.

[LORHEL]

Originally posted by Judi W
[A healthy Rottweiler rarely has any doggy odor. [/b]

This is so true!

We did have a problem with Makita's skin which they told us was a staph infection, once a month I use a special shampoo for that, to fight dry scaly patches ,which we got at the vets...

Too much bathing, poor diet, definitely can contribute to flakes...

Good luck. :)

[DixieGrl113]

Are you bathing as a preventative or as a treatment for fleas? I would definately look into a prescription topical treatment for the pup. He's 7 mos old so he's old enough. I use frontline once every 3 months. If you have a heavy flea infestation, you might need to apply more often. Remember to treat your home or the problem will be continual. Bathe less often and find a better food as the others have said. My dogs don't have an offensive odor. Unless they get into some funky stuff I let them be. Mud is easy to remove if it dries. You can just brush it out then. I've found that the flea shampoos I've used (in the distant past) aren't really that effective long term. They may kill some fleas on the dog but I haven't really found them effective at repelling new fleas which is a problem because most of the time the fleas are in the environment around the dog. They are on the dog to feed and the rest of the time they could be runnin around in your carpet.

It seems that maybe once or twice a year one of the dogs gets a flakey patch for whatever reason. In that case I wash with an oatmeal shampoo, give a good scrub and condition with a jojoba conditioner I have from Solid Gold. I don't know if its the good scrub or the shampoo/conditioner that does it or maybe both, but which ever it works.