dry skin - Page 1

My gsd puppy is about 18 weeks old and has dry skin. She is always itching and scratching and biting herself. Is this normal? How can I get her to stop? Could she be allergic to something?

There could be several reasons why she is itchy. It could be her age, she might be shedding her puppy coat and getting her adult one. If you live in a dryer climate that could be part of the reason too. If you bathe her to often that could make her itchy as well. What food do you feed her?
I would add some wild alaskan salmon oil to her food it should help if she has dry skin.

Have you tried an elimination diet to see if she has allergies?  Try either home cooking with a single new protein and carb source for a month or two, or switch to a grain-free food like Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets.  Omega 3 fatty acids (found in things like fish oil) can be helpful...as the previous person posted...you could add salmon oil or sardines to her diet. 

Bathing with an oatmeal/aloe shampoo can help soothe the skin as well.

Have you taken her to the vet to get an opinion on the cause?

We feed her the costco brand kirkland puppy food and we have been feeding her the salmon oil with meals. Maybe she is shedding her puppy coat, she does shed allot when we brush her. We also have a vet appointment tomorrow. Thanks for the replies

”Try either home cooking with a single new protein and carb source for a month or two, or switch to a grain-free food like Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets.” Barenfell, can you elaborate on home cooking please for me. We tried raw diet after couple days , all chicken, thinking it would stop the itching. Poor baby got sick and we went back to the kibble and added the salmon oil. Her diet and energy is fine (I think) but she is still itching all the time.

Safflower oil or flax is good too. I've been adding safflower to my dogs food and her coat is very shiny. There could be something in the dog food that she's allergic too. I don't think pet food companies have to list all the ingredients. Good suggestions from the other posts about the elimination diet. There is a test the vet can do for food allergies but I'm not sure how accurate it is.
Juno 11

Add a tiny bit of coconut oil to her food.  knowing what i know now about EPI and digestion in dogs coconut oil is the perfect solution for skin issues and digestion. I found that Taste of the Wild ( the salmon one ) really helped my dog with dry skin.

I found that one bitch I have was getting too much protein and changed her food.
I use Jojoba oil after baths and work it in. You can get it at beauty supply stores at a resonable price.

make sure she is worm free..YOu can worm her yourself ...Keep a schedule and inspect her poop daily..

Get rid of grains in food...read   Wheat Bellies by Dr William Davis...

also  salmon oil sometimes is a problem for dogs ...if nothing happens soon, try

 coconut oil and a little extra virgin Olive oil once daily...It IS A SOLUTION TO digestion also.

all these things have to be done for 3 months or more to result and do their work...
system didn't get this way over night..

so be patient

no grains of wheat or corn in food..

Rice may be all ....

meat and no preservatives.

YR

  I am almost afraid of what the vet will prescribe..for a german shepherd>>>>>>lol

YR

Most vets do not know how to feed german shepherds..so take note.