Puppy Dandruff

[MarcosAnya]

I`ve done some reasearch and tought of posting my puppy`s `health issue` here, since I see many of you know what are you talking about! :) So I need your help.

MY 9 weeks old rottie appears to have a dandruff problem. When I got her at 7 weeks she had none and had a very beutiful fur. Even the vet. was amaised at her shiny coat. But in last 3 days, I`ve noticed alot of dandruff on her back.

I live in Canada and it`s very cold now. around -15C. Anya (my puppy), loves being outside and spends about 2h a day (30 mins. MAX, at a time) playing in the snow, doing her toilet and such, outside with me being there at all times. I`m feeding her a mix of IAMS Smart Puppy for Large Breads food and Merit Selection Puppy food. I also mix one raw egg in her food once a week. She`s a big pig and would eat herself to death if I haven`t limit her intake at 2 and a half cups a day (3 servings).
I must admit that we washed her twice in 2 weeks because she made a mess in her cage and decided to role her self in it... we had no choice.

Finaly, I read alot about how this is absolutly normal for a puppy to have dandruff up until 4 months!? See here:
``Many puppies seem to have more dandruff or dry, flaky skin than would be expected. This is quite normal in puppies and is especially noted in those with dark coat colors. This is simply because the dander becomes quite visible against the dark hair. In most puppies, especially those less than four months of age, the normal lubricating glands (sebaceous glands) of the skin tend to be underactive. As these glands mature, their lubrication output increases to match the needs of the coat. Factors such as dry air (low humidity) will also contribute to dander production.``

Maybe it is, but what could I do to help the situation?

[hurly7]

I had the same problem with Hurly and with talking to many helpful people on this site, was directed to give fish oil (or salmon oil) capsules 2000-2500mg a day and also vitamin e capsule 3x a week 400ui. Hurly has done awesome on this. He acts like the fish oil capsules are treats and instead of opening them and mixing them with his food I give them to him as a treat and he cracks it open with his teeth and LOVES IT!!!!!! I also switched to Canidae ALS which was recommended to me also. We had him on nutro before and switching to a high quality food helps as well. It is fridgid here too this time of year but honestly the fish oil and the better quality food has helped tremendously... (he will get a few noticeable flakes when we go into training class... Just the excitement I think but nothing ever shows on home as it did before)!!! Good luck

[AngelBunny]

I don't know about Merit, but I tell you for a fact, Iams is an inferior food.

Half an hour of your time reading thru Nutrition and Grooming will be a half hour well spent. You'll learn which foods many RDNs recommend and why.

[MShaw]

I agree with AngelBunny, get your pup on a different food and that may help the problem. Iams has too much protein in it as it is, adding egg is just going to make your pup grow even FASTER!

If switching foods doesn't work, when Vegas was a pup, we just added a little bit of peanut oil to her food once a day. Not too much, or it can give them the runs, but it sure did help her coat get through the itchy dry season!

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by MShaw

Iams has too much protein in it as it is...

It's Iams' protein source that makes it a poor food, not the fact it has too much protein.

Iams is about corn.

Corn is put into dog foof because it's cheap for manufacturers to do so. It's not put into kibble because it's good for dogs.

As a marketer, I admire the brilliance of the marketing departments of the multinationals that own the top-of-mind brands of kibble. They've persuaded the Average Joe and Jane that a corn-based kibble is good for dogs. And not only have they persuaded these Joe and Janes that corn-based kibble is good for dogs, they've gotten them to often fiercely defend the food they're feeding.

To feed a corn-based kibble to dogs makes as much sense as feeding your horse of pony buckets of meat and expecting the equine to thrive.

Everyone would laugh if someone said he or she fed an equine meat, but no one laughs when people say they feed their dog a corn-based kibble.

Sheer marketing brilliance.

[MarcosAnya]

So I changed her food on Monday. she's getting Canidae ALS, found it in a stoore in Ottawa! 20lb of Iams = 25$ ....20lb of Canidae = 45$ Still, she needs only 2 cups a day until she gets to 25pounds so It will last me longer then IAMS and it is MUCH better for the doggy!

One problem I have now is that, She is allways hungry! even after her meal! We feed her at 8am 3/4cup then at 1pm 3/4cup and then at 6:30pm 1/2cup. It is instructed to feed 1 1/2 to 2 cups a day --for a puppy between 15 and 25pounds. I'm giving her 2 cups and she's 17pounds now.
SHOULD I GIVE HER MORE? Like 1/2 cup more?! She started eating earth and rocks (i think it's because she's hungry)

[brunie's mom]

I would not be feeding her more. Glad that you made a change for the better in her food quality.
Rottweiler puppies are always hungry. You are probably feeding her more calories now with the Canidae, then with what you were feeding with Iams.

Give her a chunk of raw carrot to work on, or a nice raw marrow bone. It may be that she just wants to chew. Puppies do tend to put everything in their mouth..whether they are hungry or not. If you do give her a marrow bone...scoop out all of the marrow for now...because she is so young...the marrow is really rich in fat and may upset her tummy.

As for the cost of the Canidae....I would shop around...you have quite a few stores in Ottawa that sell it...in Ontario most Pet Values, as well as Global and Ryan's sell it too. It's $59.00 (plus tax) for a 40 lb of food...and if you buy 10 bags (the store keeps count)..you get a bag free.

Gina

[Eirian]

The makers of Orijen have a product called Acana; the store we shop at 'Natural Pet Foods' (which has a location in Ottawa on Churchill Ave. ) sells it for $39.99 for a 33lb bag and you can get placed on buyers program. This is the same size bag as Canidae's large bag and I feel it's a better food than Canidae, much less oily.

If you want to feed an even better dog food try Orijen...it is more expensive but no grains and you feed less. Here is the link to both foods and you can do a search for a store locator by Province: Orijen

Good luck with your pup.

Johnna

[MarcosAnya]

Thank you! I'll continue giving her as prescribed.

Orijen has 42% protein. The high protein content makes it suitable for adult dogs only, particularly in the case of large breeds. Even puppy food has 42% protein. I think Canidae is better -it has 26% protein- since I want her to grow slow.

thanks again for your replys :)

[brutus'mother]

I'm confused with the opinion that high protein is bad for growing pups or large breed pups. This is not what all of my research into canine nutrition has taught me. Where does this idea come from?

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by MarcosAnya

Thank you! I'll continue giving her as prescribed.

Orijen has 42% protein. The high protein content makes it suitable for adult dogs only, particularly in the case of large breeds. Even puppy food has 42% protein. I think Canidae is better -it has 26% protein- since I want her to grow slow.

thanks again for your replys :)

The Large Breed Puppy Orijen is fine for growing pups. There are many forum members raising their pups on Orijen. It's not the high protein, it's the calcium/phosphorus ratio that is important. As long as you grow them slow and keep them lean...the high protein is fine. Many dogs are raised on the BARF (raw diet) and that is also high in protein.

If you feel comfortable feeding Canidae stick with it...but Orijen is a fantastic food.

Gina

[manos]

I agree about Orijen , is a fantastic food!!!
But if someone wants to spent less money for his dog food Acana is also very good
I have been try both of them with excellent results .........

[2kevin]

what about nutro? anyone have any views on it?

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by 2kevin

what about nutro? anyone have any views on it?

Mid-range food...nothing special about it. It contains a lot of grain, they do not use human grade meats....and for the same money....you can do much better in quality.

Gina

[2kevin]

i used it for my last male for 10 years ..he whimpered sometimes when he would get up and down.. a week of the the nutro senior large breed red bag and he stopped and never did it again.. i think it was the glycosimine in the food but i don't know .. but if it was i wasn't going to change anything.. i have never heard of the foods you all speak of.. all i see in store here is science diet .ole roy.kibbles and bits.. iams. and nutro..dogs allways seem gassy..i am sure it is the food..i think?wounder if beano would help? lol