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Does Your Dog Have Dry, Flaky Skin? Here’s The Home Remedy Our Veterinarian Recommends

black-lab-with-great-coat-of-fur.jpgOur dog, Tenor, has such a thick and luscious coat of fur. (He’s part Black Lab, part Great Pyrenees, but he mostly just looks like your average Labrador Retriever.)

His skin and coat weren’t always in such great shape, though. In fact, a few months ago he had dry, flaky, itchy skin so bad that we thought he had an incurable skin disease!

Here’s what the vet recommended. And it worked like a charm!

 

One Option: Antibiotics

The first time we noticed the flaky skin, we probably waited a bit too long to take him to the vet.

Against our better judgment, we tried an over the counter remedy first. It was a spray-on leave-in conditioner specifically made for a dog’s dry skin. After a few days of that and no change, we ended up taking him to the vet for something better. (The dog smelled wonderful, but you could still see lots of small white flakes on his pitch-black coat of thick fur.)

In fact, by the time we took him to the vet, his skin problem had turned kind of scabby and itchy. NOT a good sign.

The veterinarian said it was probably allergies, but without running a lot of tests he couldn’t be sure. At this point, it was most important that we clear up the itchy and scabby spots on his skin, so he recommended a 10-day dose of antibiotics (Cephalexin). That worked like a charm. Within 2 days, the flaky skin was pretty much gone.

But the vet had warned us… if Tenor’s dry skin was in fact due to allergies, then it would likely return. The trick then would be to selectively test a variety of foods, products, environments to determine what exactly he was allergic to. (That didn’t sound like fun!!!)

 

Another Option: Olive Oil

dog-food-and-bottle-of-extra-virgin-olive-oil.jpg

A month or so later, Tenor’s dry skin had reappeared. It wasn’t as bad as the first time… just random flakes here and there.

The vet said before we go through all the tests for allergies, let’s try a simple home remedy first: Olive Oil.

He said to pour a tablespoon or so of Olive Oil right on his food 2 to 3 times each week, and see how that worked. We did it, and boy, did his coat get thick and shiny and flake-free in no time!

I can’t recommend this stuff enough! Tenor loves it, too. It reminds me of the days when we used to add doggie gravy to his dry dog food. It was always a special treat. Now, the Olive Oil is his special treat at feeding time.

I’d have to say the best home remedy for a dog’s dry, itchy flaky skin is plain and simple Olive Oil.

 

Why Dogs Get Dry Itchy Skin

The vet said most likely our dog’s flaky skin is simply due to dry air inside the house — especially since we have gas heat.

He said dogs that spend a lot of time indoors during the winter months tend to get mild skin conditions like this. It’s (usually) no big deal. And Olive Oil will typically remedy the situation throughout the entire winter season.

IMPORTANT: If your dog has dry flaky skin — and it persists — then then be sure to discuss it with your own veterinarian. Olive Oil won’t cure everything!

We’ve been adding a glug or two to our dog’s dry food a few times each week for a month or so now and his coat has never looked better. (By the way, ‘glug’ is a Rachel Ray term.) His coat is much thicker and shinier since we’ve started adding the Olive Oil to his food.

 

 

To Give You An Idea Just How Well The Olive Oil Works…

We left Tenor at a doggie kennel last weekend, while we went out of town for a wedding. And naturally, they didn’t add anything to his dog food during his 3-day stay there. (I suppose if I’d asked them to, they would have.) When we picked him up at the kennel, the first thing we noticed was how dry and flaky his skin was.

So now he’s back on the Olive Oil, and he’s loving it. And his coat looks great again. It works really quickly!

 

Just For Laughs

Yeah well, his skin and coat may be great, but he needs a little help controlling his drool sometimes. Ah but that’s a whole ‘nother issue…

black-lab-with-drool-over-his-nose.jpg

 

Lynnette Walczak

I like to help people find unique ways to do things in order to save time & money -- so I frequently write about "outside the box" ideas that most wouldn't think of. As a lifelong dog owner, I often share my best tips for living with and training dogs. I worked in Higher Ed several years until switching gears to pursue things I was more passionate about. I've worked at a vet, in a photo lab, and at a zoo -- to name a few. I enjoy the outdoors via bicycle, motorcycle, Jeep, or RV. You can always find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun websites).

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  • Anonymous

    great news to hear I have two large dogs a great dane and a doberman the doberman really seems to have some issues with dry skin I cant wait to try the olive oil treatment on him. thanks so much for the info. carrie

  • Janet

    Actually, you can use baby shampoo on dogs. It’s very gentle, smells nice, and makes their coat nice and soft.

  • melissa taylor

    how much olive oil would you give a 5lb chihuahua?

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Melissa – There’s not really one specific answer to your question. I would start with just 1 teaspoon sprinkled over your dog’s food — to make sure your dog will eat food that has oil on it. Then slowly increase a little bit at a time until most of your dog’s kibble has been LIGHTLY touched by the oil. You definitely don’t want so much that the oil takes on a gravy thickness in your dog’s food.

  • Danine

    So glad to read this article, my lab has SAME issue with the skin….He always and dry and has flakes . They had me give him the DMV coat pills, that worked great until the compnay went out of biz :( …Now I am using these other coat omega pills and they DONT work at all!! Excited to try the olive Oil….:) thanks….
    Oh, also my dog has the same droll issue, I am starting to wonder if that is allegery related as well….

  • doby lover

    Fish pills work wonders for my Doberman’s dry flakey skin. My vet said there is no way to over do it with fish pills. Plus they are very good for their heart. I feed my 68lb
    Doberman 3 fish pills with her food everyday and it has worked wonders. Now it may soften their stool but if it becomes too soft just give them a little less.

  • Anonymous

    hi all, I just adopted an adult collie. I have been slowly combing the under coat to help the shedding get into the trash and not the floor or food. I see what looks like tiny grass seeds, white and clings to the under coat. This does not seem to bother my dog at all.I take the time to remove what I see but that is only a small area compared to the size of her body. Does any one have an idea. It is not her skin but just above it.dog is Mindi

    • Dracwiths

      HI you probably won’t check this, but I breed and raise collies the white flakes are normal and don’t hurt, but a good way to get rid of the problem is olive oil in the food. It is the way the undercoat is setup.

  • cheri

    is Krill or flaxseed oil safe for dogs for dry skin or should I stick with olive oil or fishoil?

  • Char

    My dog has the same problem….huge flakes on her back! I brush and brush and it just doesn’t seem to get it all. I am going to give her a bath and then start the olive oil treatment too! Thanks for the suggestion! I hope it works!!

  • Ajheath

    you shouldn’t bathe your dog too often. That can dry the skin out as it is, by removing surface oils, once a month is good. If you have a messy dog use wipes to clean their face, or feet.

  • TLH

    My vet recommended the olive oil for my little Min Pin and it worked like a charm! Within days her coat was once again shiny and flake free! Hint: I have an oil dispenser so it’s very easy to just tip and add a few drops to her evening meal.

  • Silvia Terrinoni

    i have three dogs ,we live in ARIZONA ,all my dogs suffer from dry skin every winter well not really winter here like snow but cold temps,we use are heating system all day,and i think that’s the problem with indoor dogs,So i bought the best food there was and all kinds of over the counter vitamins and nothing worked,So before i went to the vet again for drugs,I add good olive oil to dry food every day just 2 tsp. for a large bowl of good food for all my dogs,for a month and a couple time a day fresh carrots and apple slices and there coats are getting better by the day,also brushing gently and oatmeal bathing ,So who ever read;s my comment i hope it will help you dog.

  • Insomnia_iam

    Was using Salmon Oil Capsules in our dogs meals, then discontinued the Salmon supplement, as we changed their diet to an even more expensive premium dog food. Now both our dogs have dry itchy skin, and a white powdery dandruff from head to tail, after only 6 weeks on the new premium grain free food. Olive Oil sounds like a pretty good home remedy, which is also used for people with dry scalp problems. You may have saved me mega bucks as a trip to the vet is never under $300., no matter what. I will post the results as soon as I see if it cures the problem. Thanks a bunch.

  • CHERIE

    I read your article after searching to find a solution for my dogs itchy, flaky skin. He’s a 9 yr old Shih-Tzu. He’s only been plagued by this for the last year or so. Each time it gets really bad we end up taking him to the vet who checks him out and says he thinks it’s probably allergies and that we could go have him tested but that it would take a bit of time and quite a bit of money. I love my dog (I have 3 male Shih-Tzu’s) but don’t always have the loads of money that it would probably take for the testing. The vet ends up giving him a steroid shot and sometimes an antibiotic (Keflex)if it’s progressed into an infection. I just don’t want to see him go through the CONSTANT itching, scratching and licking and pink skin anymore. Does this sound like what your dog went through??? I’d appreciate any idea you could give as I don’t know what numerous Steroid shots could do to his system. Please help!!

    • Tracy

      Some small dogs are allergic to poultry so if you are feeding him chicken that could cause the itching and licking. I am told that a lot of smaller dogs are actually allrgic to chicken. Some have a bad reaction and some have areaction only sometimes. I have. Two smaller dogs so I only feed them food without chicken. Blue has a great dog food for small breeds its fish and sweet potato or fish and brown rice. My two dogs love the fish also it has the omega fatty acids for the coat and skin in it. My older boston terrier has really dry skin so when I made the switch to the blue dog food her skin got a little better but I also use either flaxseed oil or olive oil a few times a week for her skin and it has gotten a lot better also the blue dog food has flaxseed in it not sure how much but it is one of the ingredients. Blue has also come out with a grain free dog food that my dogs also love. Hope this helps

  • Family4williams

    My labs coat is mildly dry and flakey so I’m bustin out the olive oil!  I have heard of that before, but forgot about it.  You did a great job writing this article!  Thanks!

  • Ashleyblair_98

    I have a lab Pyrenees mix who also has very dry skin. I was looking up treatments when I found this article so I tried it. It’s been a month now and I’m so happy to say he looks great! His fur is all back there’s no more scabs or dry skin flakes. He loves the oil and is so spoiled now he wont eat his food without the oil now :) thank you for this article its made me and my baby so happy!!

  • Knobdawg72

    This is exactly the tip Ive been looking for   for my dog,s dry, flakey, dull coat. My dog is a senior age Boxer.  All the other tips I looked through talked about special products I could buy and try on his skin/coat. But, I’ve been there   done that stuff early on and wanted more of a simple yet, natural type of home remedy. I will be buying the larger size of OliveOil next grocery trip since we also cook with it at times too.  Thanks!!!!

  • Swillfae

    We have a Golden and his skin is really bad with flakes and itchyyyy.. The vet stuff has not helped much . I did rub olive oil on his patches of dry skin, but now I’m goin to put it in his food, Thanks for the info. Will let you know how it works. I’m very hopeful…. Thanks again

  • S Mackenzie

    we are going to try this – it sounds like the right fix for our Bernese Mountain dog!! thanks so much

  • EMRoss

    Dry itchy flaky skin in the winter. One German Short haired pointer and one LabraDoodle aged 3 & 4. No problems until this fall; we have given them Olive Oil daily for over a year now and have switched food to Purina One  but to date no luck. I might add; NO fleas or pests & allergies are ruled out. Desperate in Lebanon, OR.
    WE NEED HELP

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Ahhh – good catch – I was going to suggest possible allergies. But you’ve already ruled that out.   Have you tried fish oil? Or maybe switching their dog shampoo?

    • Stephaifley

      Olive leaf Extract is a natural antibiotic, mix it with a little sugar and water they will drink it and it did wonders for my dog where the olive oil didn’t work, u can get it at any Vitamins store.

  • Shatara

    I have a puggle, he has dry skin, I was told to put olive oil on his coat! is is better on the coat or better to put in his food?

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Good question! I’d like to hear what others think… I’ve only put it in my dog’s food and can speak very highly to that success rate. Haven’t tried putting it on his coat, but I know many others do that as well. I would *think* that working from the inside out, rather than the outside in, might be a tad more effective and longer-lasting since you’re directly affecting every inch of the dog’s skin and thereby the coat (rather than mostly the coat, and thereby hit or miss on how much of the skin you’re actually making contact with).  

  • EMRoss

    We have 2 large dogs both of which are going thru winter itchy problems. We use about 1 tsp per day in their food WITH NO LUCK. We switched to fish oil and the itching is better but not gone. I’m not going to waste money to have a vet run up a large bill for allergy tests. During qa vets schooling to become one they only devote less than 5% of their learning to nutrition so how can they possible know and most of them will push the dog food that they inventory; HOGWASH.  Someone out there has to have an answer. By the way we live in the Pacific Northwest and never seem to have this problem in the summer. gonavy@centurylink.net

  • Belinda

    I’ve been using Egyptian Magic on my dog’s coat (long haired chihuahua) & skin. Has olive oil, bee propolis, honey and bees wax. Works wonders!

  • maria lemons

    I have a puggle who is 6years old. He has a food allergy and is on allergy free food. We are still having the same problem even on the prescription food. His skin is red very dry and always scratching we really need help.

  • Copper

    Thank you SO much for the Olive Oil tip for dogs with dry itchy skin!   Mine just developed it over the past few months too.   I was worried he had a bad skin disease.   I did start him on Vitamin E.  I heard to open up a capsule and squeeze the oil on his food.    I guess the same concept applies with Olive Oil.   I am worried he’s itching one patch on his tummy so bad that it’s going to bleed.   :(     I even rubbed itching cream on it.    I will start the olive oil tomorrow.    Thanks again!

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Copper – I agree, the Vitamin E capsules squeezed onto your dog’s food are another great way to heal your dog’s skin from the inside out. Very similar to using olive oil. If the olive oil doesn’t help that one patch on his tummy, I would recommend seeing a vet – could be an allergy of some sort. From working at a vet, I know that allergies are very common in dogs (just as in humans) – and there are many great remedies for that. Best of luck! :-D

  • Huiyen

    my dog have a skin problem and it was very serious….after took it to vet but does not change anything….Instead the problem become more serious……what can i do now???

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Huiyen – go back to the vet. No DIY methods are going to be better than what a veterinarian can do. Your vet needs to know that the first thing they tried didn’t work.

  • Mike Ross

    I sympathize with your problem so perhaps you should take a very close look at the dry food you offer. It more than likely has grain which is NOT GOOD. We switched to  to a dry food called “CALL OF THE WILD” and it has done wonders, absolutely no grain and my guys love it. Expensive yes but the results are good but we still provide olive oil along with lots of SAFE vegetables & fruits. I personally would rather starve than deprive our dogs of healthy food.

    • http://www.facebook.com/sfmcguire Stephanie McGuire

      I heard that a lot of dogs are allergic to corn…I will try the grain free food!

  • Lab Mama

    Finding this website was a godsend!  I have a 4-year old Yellow Lab who has dry, itchy skin so bad, he’s been scratching to bleeding around his head and neck.  I took him to the vet right away, and they said it was just a bit of dry skin, and it should go away if we just keep the area clean and dry.  They gave him some spray for hot spots and sent us home.  We live in Florida, where it’s hot and humid most of the year, so we even tried giving him a hair cut to keep him cool!  I am going to try the olive oil suggestion, and I feel very hopeful that it will work.  Our vet certainly wasn’t any help!  THANK YOU!!!  (Oh, and yes, we’ve had him tested for food allergies, and he’s on a very healthy food).

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Lab Mama – Yay! So glad you found the info helpful. The olive oil has definitely worked for us… and several other dog owners. Let us know how it works for you! P.S. A Vitamin E capsule opened and poured over your dog’s food is another good option.

  • Diane

    Is it normal olive oil or olive oil for dogs,as thats what we got with an antibacterial medicated shampoo,hes still scratching I was even going to try a couple of raw eggs,as my late dad always gave our last dog a couple a week and her coat was fab.

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Yes, just regular olive oil.

  • shyjukumar

    shyju
    iam from india ,and my german sheperd also the same problem, as per this site iam going to given olive oil for him,ani i suuggest one tretment for flee control.dally give one or two pieces of garlic everyday in the empty stomach.this will help to have garlic smell on the skin of dog.flees do not like garlic smell.
    shyjusidhu@rediffmail.com

  • Lauren CW

    Thanks Lynnette for the “Olive Oil” suggestion for my Lab. He’s already doing better!

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Yay! So glad to hear that, Lauren. Thanks for sharing :-D

  • Christi

    I have a wire haired mini dachshund. He had dry, flaky skin, hair loss, sores and was scratching constantly. I took him to the vet and they gave him a shot of antibiotics and had me give him oral antibiotics for a couple weeks. The sores improved but the dry, flaky skin was horrible! I read this article and tried the olive oil in his food every other day and after a few weeks, I’m so happy to say that he has a full coat of shiny, healthy fur with no flakes and no more scratching. I can’t thank you enough! His coat hasn’t looked this good since he was a puppy. Thanks from Oscar and his mommy!

  • http://www.facebook.com/lori.t.brown1 Lori Turner- Brown

    I have been searching every where for something to help my chocolate lab Hank.
    We have been to the vet several times..We have gone through the
    steroids, the antibiotics the shampoo several times only to have all the
    skin issues return once the 10 days treatment of meds was over.

    So
    when I was shopping the other day I was in the Shampoo isle and noticed
    the wide variety of olive oil products for ethnic hair. I purchased
    some olive oil shampoo and olive oil spray. I came home and immediately
    Bathed him in the shampoo and once he was dry I sprayed his back as a
    test, praying it would work for him. It DID!!!! His constant scratching
    on his back stopped by the next afternoon. However, what I soon noticed
    was this would need to be done everyday and it left his coat looking
    terrible and very greasy, but he finally has some relief. I never
    thought to add it to his food until I ran across this post this morning.

    I
    am off to the store now to purchase Olive Oil and begin giving it to
    him today! I pray I get the same result from adding it to his food that
    I did by apply it directly to his skin.

    Thank you SO MUCH for posting.

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Yay! Let us know how it goes, Lori :-D

    • http://www.facebook.com/lori.t.brown1 Lori Turner- Brown

      Ok. I’m back to report…THIS WORKED FOR MY LAB, HANK!!!! We are the end of the second week ( not sure why the post says 3 days ago, but anyway) of adding Olive oil to his food and his scratching has all stopped!!!! His sores from the previous scratching are healing and his hair is growing back. I’ve bathed him in the olive oil shampoo and leave in conditioner. The nasty smell is gone and hasn’t returned. his coat is shiny and looks beautiful!!!! Lynnette, I can not express how thankful I am to you and finding your post. Like you, I was begining to think Hank had an incurable skin disease. Thank YOU!!!! So SOOOO much :) Hank thanks you TOO!!!!! :)

      • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

        Awe! love the pic of Hank :-D Thanks for the update, Lori. I’m SOOOOO thrilled to hear this worked for you. *hugs to Hank*

  • VTMT

    I have a long-haired Chihuahua and a Pomeranian. Both dogs at the same time of year for about the same length of time itch like crazy. This has been going on for about 4-5 years. We have run the gamut; they have had fish diets, we have tried all sorts of “remedies.” We have tried different shampoos for itching and products for “hot spots” and still every year around August through the end of October (no heat is on) they have the itch. Last year the pom got so bad the vet gave her a steroid shot. I think it is some sort of allergen where I live in the air or something. It is odd that it affects both animals…same length of time and same time of year.

    I am going to try the olive oil. I hope it helps…we are in the middle of the “itch” season right now.

  • juls

    i have spent loads on vets fees and still no joy, my staff has these dry scabs that look like spots on her sides and legs she does not itch or scratch then and she fit and full of life what could be the problem she is on dry food and eats well

  • Denise

    I have a 10 month old German Shepard Mix, in the last month or so he has been so itchy, I’ve noticed a bald spot on his upper thigh aside from the flakes he has when I brush him.I thought there was a possibility of a skin allergy. His food is of the high end and has a limited amount of ingredients. I’ve been using a remedy to help with the dry skin, I did notice improvement, but it does not help with keeping his skin moist. Its an aloe and witch hazel mixed in a spray bottle. Well anyway tomorrow he is going to have his first dose of olive oil with his meal, I really hope it works for him. Thank you for this much needed info.

  • robert

    my yellow lab has been itching for years and years. she’s stayed with my father up until now and he’s tried baths and everything and its never gone away. he didnt have the money to take her to the vet..but her skin is very pink she itches all the time and has even scarred her face, parts of her underside and ears are black and swollen from the constant scratching. i feel sooooo bad for her I cant bare AT ALL to watch anymore. Ive tried giving her Benadryl a couple of times to help relieve the itching for a few hours but even that doesnt help. So now Im off to try this in high HOPES that it will work. Poor baby doesnt deserve this. ALSO, I have a full prescription of Cephalexin which I read up on and is a safe antibiotic for dogs so I may try that as well because her ears itch her almost worse then he scarred body theyre swollen, black and smell. seems like an ear infection as well. but I hope feeding her olive oil helps!! is there “too much”? like could i put it in her food every night for the first week or so?

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Yes you can do that. It wouldn’t be a problem

  • Mary

    My 5 y/o Golden Retriever is on fish oil, vit E, hypoallergenic shampoo, leave in conditioner, special food for his allergies, I brush him with the furminator almost everyday, all of these seems to help a little bit but he still scratching, has dry skin, flakes… Definitely, I’m going to start the Olive oil today, but I have a question, Can I give him both oils? Maybe,Twice a week the olive and daily the fish oil? So he can benefit of both? Thanks!!! Excellent article, glad to find your blog, I just join your facebook page.

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Yes you can give him both oils. For several weeks I did the same thing

  • beth

    My dog has dry skin by the base of his tail and he bites and licks it all the time, I’ve started giving him cod liver oil tablets one a day can I also give him olive oil, he’s driving me crazy with the licking he’s been wormed and flead and the only thing I can see is one scab also been putting sudocrem on there

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Beth – not sure. Might be too much oil if you combine both. Your dog obviously has something different going on and should see a vet

  • http://www.facebook.com/robin.c.carpenter.1 Robin Caisse Carpenter

    Thank you so much for putting this information up – our chocholate lab, Charlotte, is a mess most of the time unless we put her on steroids, which could shorten her life so I can’t wait to start with her dinner tonight – I’m sure she’ll love it! I’ve tried a few other things like fish oil, in her food, herbal supplements, all natural sprays and tonics….nothing seems to work for very long….crossing my fingers : )

  • Denise

    Update, this is actually working well for my German Shepard Mix Puppy, I have also changed his food from chicken to lamb, still same brand, when I brush him flakes are starting to diminish and his coat has a nice shine to it again, I’ve also noticed the more I brush him the better his skin gets as long as hes getting the olive oil. I was brushing him often before as well but there was no shine and major amounts of flakes aside for his bald spots and scabs. His bald spots are growing back, almost completely as of now. Thanks again for the great advise. How long should I keep up with this remedy?

  • http://www.facebook.com/judy.savoie Judy Savoie

    Today I decided to put olive oil on my YellowLab/Golden Ret. (Jake) dog food, he has been itchy scratchy for a few yrs. I feel so bad for him. I looked up dry itchy skin & found this page! I was so thrilled that olive oil was the answer!!! I also thought about (human) vit. E & fish oil. I will keep this up & see what the results are!!!! Thanks to your page I know I made the right choice!

  • Deboah

    Hi…..I have a 15 month old Standard Poodle that I rescued from the shelter. He just started with this flaky skin issue, and your olive oil remedy sound wonderful. Going to the grocery to buy some for him. Can’t wait for it to give him some relief. Thanx!!!

  • Pingback: The Best Dog Dry Skin Home Remedies - The Fun Times Guide to Dogs

  • Cindy Garcia

    My dog has very thin fine hair, she is a very tiny yorkie under 3lbs.
    any tips on thickening her hair.Thanks

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Cindy – The olive oil mentioned above should help to thicken your dog’s coat. In addition, oily foods (fish oils), regular use of a conditioner. You can also keep some olive oil in a spray bottle and spray your dog’s coat on the fly. For what it’s worth, I’m told that shaving a dog’s coat makes it grow back really thick.

  • Charity

    Thank you So so so much I have a 7 month old German Shepherd. Just took her to the vet and spent over $200.00 to have them tell me They really werent sure what was going on. While she was on the Table I notice a TON of Dandruff and I said something. They wanted to give her steroids in 2 weeks if it didnt get Better. You can Bet Im gonna do the olive oil. She has 3 bald spots I will let you know if it works for Her!!!!

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      Wow – let us know how the olive oil works!

  • disonba3

    my vet recommed cod liver oil for my sheltie, they tend to have very dry skin, not only does Aidain love the taste, his coat & eyes are bright & shining, so many people comment on his fur “coat: telling me how beautiful it is & how I must have to groom him every day; not true, two or three licks a day with his brush is all needed!

  • http://www.facebook.com/larry.draskovich Larry C Draskovich

    my dog has had a cast on her leg for 3 months and the vet said when it comes off her leg will be very scaley and gross looking what can i bathe her with to help in the healing of her skin and to keep her from chewing on it?

    • http://thefuntimesguide.com/ FunTimesGuide

      I would recommend an oatmeal-based dog shampoo. It’s super gentle, super hydrating, mildly cleaning, and stops itching. Of course your vet is a great source for recommendations as well on the day the cast is removed :-D

  • mr.3ric

    My 5 months old choco lab have also dry skin and dandruff. It is ok to used POMACE olive oil on my labs food?or only natural olive oil??

  • mony

    I have 2 yorkies ..they have bad allergies..right now Peanut.is scratching so bad she is raw..the vet gave me predisone last week for emergencies..I gave her a half like vet said.and a clavamox because looks infected now..she eats ground sirlon..I steam fresh veggies for them..and snacks I bake them yams..I’m tired of going to vet and giving them steroid injections..and it gets costly..they are also allergic to grass and pollen..somtimes they eat rx kangaroo dog food..can you suggest a brand food..with no chicken or turkey biproducts and no soy..they need help We have spent 1000′s of dollars in 4 months..please help

  • Melissa

    More people should be like you! I know this was written 3 years ago but I’m just reading it now. It’s a good thing he went to you rather than someone else. It isn’t his fault that he was raised by scumbags which caused him to be scared and snappy.

    I have a male Italian Greyhound/Chihuahua. He also gets very itchy. I give him dry fish based dog food, one vitamin E capsule every day and also use an itch stop shampoo which definitely helps. But, sometimes, it still starts up again. Putting Cortizone 10 on the area stops the itch during these times. I’m going to try the olive oil and hopefully it will give that little bit of extra help that is sometimes needed.

    How did the olive oil work out for you?