what can I do to help my black lab with dry skin?

Black Lab Skin Problems

First, what brand of food is she on? Just because it claims to be natural doesn't necessarily mean it's good, so look into switching foods if necessary. Fish or olive oil on the food every day helps a lot. Medicated baths every 1-2 weeks can clear up dry skin as well. Try to find something with tea tree oil, tar, or salacylic acid in it. Oatmeal is often prescribed for dry skin, but it has little effect on severe dander problems. Make sure you scrub the shampoo in well (try using a rubber curry comb from the grooming aisle of your petstore) and then let it soak at least 10 minutes before rinsing. You can follow up with a moisturizing conditioner for another 10 minutes if you like. Good luck!

If he has no other skin problems just dry skin add a little baby oil to the final rinse water. It does not take but a few tablespoons mixed well with his final rinse water poured over him and towel dry the oil will reach his skin and you will remove the excess as you are drying him. Baby oil is the same oil (light mineral oil) used in many expensive bath oils it just does not have the fancy fragrances added.

There is an expensive shampoo that is good for a number of skin conditions it contains healing agents, if the baby oil does not do the trick: DermaPet DermaBenSs Soapless Shampoo with Moisturizers

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/aylZP

I'm a pet groomer and see this every February. First vigorous brushing to encourage the natural oils to rise. The more you brush the less dander there will be. Also, there are foods available specifically for this problem. You will probably have to pay a little more for it, but should only be in the winter. Or you can buy a can of tripe, if your dog isn't on a restricted diet. Add a couple of tablespoons to your dog's regular food each day. You should see a change in about a week. I have seen tripe work wonders on dry skin. There are also a number of dietary supplements that can add needed oils to your dog's diet. Good Luck

Give the dog a fish oil capsule (break it open and squeeze it onto the food) daily and brush him every day, too. Fish oil is excellent for the skin and coat (also helps to reduce shedding) but it takes time (sometimes *months*) to notice results. Brushing daily will loosen all of the dead skin flakes and gradually remove them from the coat. It also helps reduce shedding.

Ruffle up the coat and look at the dog's skin. Sometimes what seems like a simple case of dandruff is the early warning sign of a skin disease. If you see any big flaky patches, bare spots, red spots, or anything that looks like pimples, see your vet.

Fish oil on the food and daily brushing work much better than conditioners or dandruff shampoos, whose results are only temporary. Oatmeal shampoo is a mild moisturizing shampoo. I have *never* seen it do anything at all for dandruff or dry, itchy skin.

Continued itchiness is often a symptom of allergies. Inhalant allergies are the most common allergies in dogs. For allergy treatment, you need to see a vet.

This Site Might Help You.

RE:

what can I do to help my black lab with dry skin?

Dugan, my black lab/Australian Shepperd has dry skin, not "hot spots" just general itchy dry skin. Is there a home remedy or simple solution I can use to ease his itchiness? What about conditioner for people? Is that ok to use on dogs and will it help?

go to the petstore and get a shampoo that has oatmeal in it. they also make oatmeal conditioner and that might be a very good idea for your dog. I would not use human stuff. You can try it, some dogs do ok with it, but some dogs skin is more sensitive than others and since he already has a skin prob i wouldnt suggest it.

I keep my chocolate lab's skin and coat in good condition by putting a splash of olive oil on his food, don't know whether this actually works or whether it's just coincidence that my dogs coat is good, but surely worth a try? good luck, hope all is well.

We usually suggest mixing Alpha Keri bath oil with water in a spray bottle and spraying it on their fur. Use about 1 tablespoon per gallon of water.

You can also use Selsun Blue (the shampoo) or oatmeal based dog shampoos. I wouldn't use human conditioners due to the difference in the pH of our skin.

Try an oatmeal bath like aveeno or give him a dose of benadryl for kids he might be having an allergy issue! Both worked for my Pitt Bull