Search forum
Back to German Shepherd Dog
Liked top 20
ForumsGerman Shepherd Dog > Puppy with a slightly dry coat... supplement with salmon oil?? (12 replies)
Puppy with a slightly dry coat... supplement with salmon oil?? by EchoEcho on 19 January 2012 - 02:09 |
| I have a 3 month old puppy who's coat seems to be dry (a little flakey). He isn't itchy and it is the middle of winter and I live in a very dry climate. I feed him TOTW puppy with some raw hamburger and a tiny amount of apple cider vinegar (the "real" stuff). Anyway, his coat is a little flakey (see some white dander in his coat every now and then). He is a longer coated puppy. I am wondering if it is okay to give him a little Salmon oil for this flakey coat or should I not worry about it since he isn't itching. Also, what are you thoughts on giving a puppy Nupro? I give it to my adult dog and she does great on it. Would love to know your thoughts. |
EchoEcho by clc29 on 19 January 2012 - 02:37 |
| Hello EchoEcho, I also live in a very dry climate. Desert Southwest. I give Cicso (pup in my Avitar) Salmon oil and vitamin E as well as a good brushing once a week with a rubber brush. He's been getting the oil and vite E since he was 12 weeks old and his coat is beautiful. I'm not familiar with Nupro so can't help you there..........Why are you giving him the vinegar? |
clc29 by EchoEcho on 19 January 2012 - 02:57 |
| So if you give Salmon oil should you also give vitamin E? What kind/type of oil are you giving him as well as vitamin E. Do most people give their puppy supplements? I just worry about him growing too quickly and pano and other joint problems. That is why I have been holding off on any supplements. Apple cider vinegar (with the mother) is a good supplement for people, dogs, cats, and horses. Here is a article I pulled up that sums it up the reasons why I use ACV http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar.html |
by NorthwindsGS on 19 January 2012 - 03:17 |
| We give our adult dogs as well as our puppy Nupro. The adults get 2 scoops of the Nupro joint Supplemet and the puppy gets one scoop of regular Nupro a day. |
NorthwindsGS by NigerDeltaMann on 19 January 2012 - 09:28 |
| Dry coat? When did u dewormed him last? If he's infested with worms, there's no amount of salmon or any other oil-magic would work. Is he feeding as he ought to? Dewormed as at when due, excercise n nutritious food = superb shinny coat. |
by EchoEcho on 19 January 2012 - 14:29 |
| He was dewormed three times. 6 weeks, 10 days after, 10 days after. I don't have any concerns about worms. The only reason I notice the slight flaking is because his coat is so black and his hair is a little longer so it seems to hold on to the dander. I think if I lived somewhere were there was more humidity this probably won't be an issue (or maybe it isn't an issue and other owners wouldn't do anything about it). The humidity here is only about 20-30%. |
by yellowrose of Texas on 19 January 2012 - 22:50 |
| I use extra virgin Olive oil over all food almost every day Salmon oil several times and then krill oil capsule opened with scissors and over the food. And I dig out the raw liver and usually give more live than chicken to any dog showing hair loss, which is at end of all seasons here in Texas. If a dog has dry skin as a result of food that is being fed., then vit. E may be needed or more Krill Oil.. I sometimes also add a half can of any kind of salmon or sardines to the food Quite often dry skin denotes a breakdown in the immune system of some sorts and the dry, scaly skin is a common place for immune diseases to manifest. I use herbals a lot , as I love the results, and donot like chemicals or meds unless dire need. I use burdock root and red clover...tiny bit over food for a period until you see complete healing...Remember herbs are not as potent as fast acting antibiotics so be patient. And you use less. Immune system support is very important in dogs and the apple vinegar that was mentioned added is an excellent one. Use of thyme, garlivc oregano turmeric (all antibacterial) enhances the activity of the immune system.. Just remember only sprinkle tiny bit on food conservatively if you are just starting out . THe continued use will stay the same as it is only a good way to prevent the break down of the immune system and fights off the sickness before it invades your pet. Elderly pets give a baby dosage of all extras no matter what it is you add to their regular diet. I even use licorice root not the candy(that I love and eat) sugar rush!! but the usage of it in tiny amounts is an anti inflammatory and the pets usually like the taste in their foods. Apple cidar vinegar must be used from the real non distilled vinegar....The strength of the vinegar is also important. Look for an ACV with a 5 to 6 percent acetic acid. That’s what gives vinegar its tart and sour taste. DO NOT purchase a commercially distilled vinegar…it has absolutely no health benefits! YR |
yellowrose of Texas by carebear on 19 January 2012 - 23:24 |
| how often do you bath your puppy and with what type of cleanser? |
by EchoEcho on 20 January 2012 - 19:00 |
| I don't bath him. I have never given a bath to any of my GSD. If they get muddy I just hose them off. I have never found a need to give them a bath unless maybe they tangled with a skunk. That was awful. Thank you so much Yellow Rose for the response!! I was thinking his skin might be dry because of the combo of the winter, dry climate, and that he is a puppy and probably using a lot of fat to build brain and nerves. So salmon oil is safe to give to puppies? I know people use krill oil due to the low mercury content, should the same be followed with a puppy? I would only buy wild salmon oil but there will still be some mercury in it. Would the krill oil be safer for a puppy? Also, how much Vitamin E would you give a 14 week old 25 lb. puppy. How quickly will it start working? I do only use the real apple cider vinegar. Organic Bragg ACV. I only put 1/2 tsp in his food twice a day (so 1 tsp. total). So would adding krill oil or salmon oil with vitamin E be a good place to start? If so in what amounts? Thanks!! |
by yellowrose of Texas on 20 January 2012 - 19:38 |
| Echo: You are welcome At the age of this pup I would NOT add Vit E to his diet. I would be adding Extra Virgin Olive Oil on food daily and adding the raw meat into his diet. Yogurt and cottage cheese yes... apple cider vinegar(with Muther)yes Other supplements at this age NO Check the Fat content on the food he is eating..Gsd have to have higher Fat content as that is part of their make up..their skin needs seem to be greater in this department and I choose good fat not adding any kind of grease or fats cooked off of meat...that damages gall bladder, kidneys and pancreas... If he is wormed and brushed daily and given good food with high fat content , not protein ,as too high a protein can suffer damage to the liver..especially in a pup even though pups should be active, but they just do not burn it so it becomes an issue as well as too much VIT E can be too.. YR |
by yellowrose of Texas on 20 January 2012 - 19:42 |
| I forgot to add , that for cleaning pups , besides diaper wipes, I use a spray that I use to buy at Petsmart, that is a natural body oil with nutrient in it with no alcohol . I do not have the name at this minute but that , and natural shampoo containing no soap , I have used for years YR |
by Aqua on 20 January 2012 - 19:54 |
| Good for you about the bathing. There are few times in a dog's life when it (he or she) actually needs a bath. Getting skunked, rolling in a dead fish, or skin infections/allergies which require a dip in medicated shampoo are about the only times. Otherwise, hosing them off if they're muddy, taking them for a swim in the creek/river/lake/backyard pool are about all they need. Dogs aren't meant to be shampoo scented. They smell delicious all on their own, sort of like Frito Lay's chips, you know? There are a number of vegetable oils that are safe and okay to use. Olive oil, cold pressed coconut oil (which is more or less solid at room temperature), grape see oil. If your little guy's digestion is relatively solid and stable you could start him at 1 teaspoon per meal of any of those. If he's prone to loose stools I'd go with 1 teaspoon a day and see how it affects him. It shouldn't be longer than 24 hour before you know. Fish oil is great, and it doesn't have to be pure salmon oil or Krill oil. That runs into money when oil made from a combination of sardines, herring, cod, salmon and other fish is really just as effective. With a little research you can learn which fish oils provide the most Omega-3s (EPA and DHA) in the lowest dose and for the best price. We give 3 fish oil caps per day to our adult GSDs. That comes out to 2850 mg of 'active' Omega-3 per day. I'd give 1/3 of that to a little puppy and increase it over time. I agree with you that his dry skin is very likely the result of a winetr climate and dry, heated air in the house. You could run a humidifier and see if that helps him. Something else that's done wonders for dry, brittle coats in our packs has been full fat Stonyfield yogurt, about a tablespoon per meal. It takes a while before you notice a difference, a couple of weeks or so, but it is impressive. Again though, if he has digestive issues and can't take additional fats, or if he has a problem with lactose, this might not be the right thing. It's a big deal for a little puppy to get used to a new home. It causes a lot of stress and that can turn into dry skin, itchies, the runs. You sound like a very reasonable and sensible person, you'll do what's right for him. |
by EchoEcho on 21 January 2012 - 04:26 |
| Thank you YR and Aqua. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to do him any harm and it is nice to know I have some alternatives to salmon oil. I have extra virgin olive oil, cold pressed coconut oil, and grape seed oil (all organic) in my cabinet as these are the oils I also use so this will be easy. I also have Nordic Omega-3 Purified Fish Oil Lemon in my house but it does have Vitamin E added so I will only give that twice a week. Thanks for the dosing and warning me about the loose stools. I really appreciate the help!! |
Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!