Labs and Dry Skin

[Dakota's_Mommy]

I have a 3 month old Lab. I just had her to the vet on Tuesday (4/4) and she had 1 flea on her, so they gave her k9 Advantix. Well she's still itching. And I know Labs have dry skin and I think that could be the new problem. I gave her a bath a week ago with Doctor Foster and Smith Oatmeal shampoo. I don't know when I can give her a bath again with the k9 advantix

[pupsnpigs]

I wouldn't bathe her too often because that can also cause dry skin. My friend's lab is very prone to dry skin. Did you ask the vet? Maybe they could help.

[koni]

Generally, I bathe Koni once a month. He is prone to dry skin. On occasion I have added a small amount of olive oil to his food, which is suppose to help.

[Faith]

you really don't need to bathe labs too often - a daily/weekly brushing will usually work best for them, with baths no more than 1 time a month, unless they get into something.

this itching could be allergies to their food, plain old dry skin b/c of the weather, or because of fleas, although it sounds like it's something OTHER than fleas causing this problem.

also, was the shampoo you used a human or dog shampoo? human shampoos don't have the right PH level for dogs and could be causing a reaction.

[jimmysgal]

When we got jimmy his skin and coat were a mess. He was constantly scratching and nibbling at his skin. I started brushing him daily and added one Dermcap for large breeds to his food once a day. He is no longer suffering from dry skin and his coat is gorgeous and shiny now. He loves his daily brushings now. By any chance do you have your lab on weight control food? Jimmy's past owner had him on it and in my research I found out that all the fats are removed from weight control foods so that explained why he suffered with dry, flaky skin. Oh and I only bathe him once every 6 weeks. He is mostly an inside dog so he doesn't need to be bathed any more than that. I highly recommend adding fatty acids to your labs food. It has made such a difference with our Jimmy.

[sheplovr]

Personally I do not believe in dog baths unless they roll in a dead animals or a skunk get them. I think a daily brushing of just ten minutes makes a world of difference also giving a couple sardines packed in oil twice a week helps tons. I think if u just brush, hose off the legs and feet if in mud as we shall have soon and have had, dry with towel left at door, the skin will heal. I use Fresh Factors from www.springtimeinc.com and it promotes healthy pliable skin and less shedding and my shepherds do not blow their winter coats, they just slide it off with the brushing and walla gorgeous dog after a touch of cologne for a freashner.
My dogs have gorgeous coats year round, yes they shed but is is light and I have two Dyson Sweepers that suck up that extra hair on my carpet so I do not care as I adore my dogs and it is not that much. I feed them sardines also twice a week packed in oil, such a difference in coats, brush against the coat to remove dead undercoat, then use a nice brissle brush to lay it down along with the growth. U will think they were at a groomers.

[Luvmyjob]

A flea bite can cause an allergic reaction which will make your dog itchy. This can last up to a month, the flea treatment only rids the pest, not the itch. The food your dog eats can make a big difference in the skin/coat condition also.

[Suz]

if your dog is itchy definatley look at what they are eating and evening primrose oil is great for itchy flaky skin my dog is horrendous without it!!!

[BabyElephant]

I bath my lab once a month, she also get evening primrose oil (human kind!) to help her coat, although I've noticed she doesn't need it as much now she's on a RAW diet.

With the advantix you can bath 48 hours after the application of the flea treatment has dried I believe.

[bernicesmama]

I had a similar problem with my dogs, they would itch but it wasn't their food or too much bathing. I now give each of my dogs a tbs of olive oil in their food once a week and the problem is gone completely. I have found that it's an inexpensive way to fix an irritating problem.

Oatmeal shampoo is good for the skin and is gentle. I would keep bathing down to once a month max. I don't even wash them that much in the summer because they are always swimming or I just rinse them. I usually brush them daily and that helps keep their coats free from dirt and debris.

I am a big fan of inexpensive fixes, means they get more treats! lol