my 5 month old puppy has dandriff and itches alot. He is...

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Answer by Kel
Submitted on 11/1/2003
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Try an oatmeal or milk protein shampoo. You can get them at most pet stores and they are very gentle. My dark coated Shih Tzu had dandruff when I first got him from a flea bath the breeder had given him before she gave him to me. He has not had it since and I bathe my dogs every week. Also, if you are feeding your dog dry food (the best idea), mix a teaspoon or so of wet food in with this every couple of days. It adds a little oil to the diet for the coat. If you are not feeding a quality dry food or worse if you are feeding him/her off the table stop!!! The Shih Tzu breed tends to have allergies. If you are feeding a good dry food try the shampoos a couple of times along with a little wet food.

Answer by 1guy2pups
Submitted on 1/4/2005
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It isn't dandruff and all the oatmeal in the world won't eliminate the cause of the problem. This problem is common to all dogs. There are three major causes; 1 - yeast/fungal infections, 2 - mites, and 3 - allergies. Yeast infections can be very nasty and cause the dog to itch terribly. A topical corticosteroid and benadryl will provide quick relief. Neither product can be used long-term, so find a doggie dermatologist in your area and have your pup properly evaluated. Your vet can probably give a pretty good diagnosis, but a dermatologist will likely give you a definitive diagnosis. Mites are in the realm of dermatologists. I recently saw an article on this subject and compared it to my own experience. Mites are "mitey" difficult to eradicate. Get professional help. Allergies are the bane of the dog world. Imagine being allergic to grass! It happens. The dermatologist or allergist can diagnose this problem. Keep in mind that your dog may have an allergy which causes swelling and irritation of the skin. Scratching leaves a wonderful vector for yeast/fungal infections. Multiple problems are common and require patience to resolve.

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Question by shortstuff
Submitted on 10/31/2003
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my 5 month old puppy has dandriff and itches alot. He is flea free. He gets a bath every 2 weeks. I've looked for shampoo for dry skin but have not had any luck. If anybody has any ideas I'm will to try them.

Answer by Lan
Submitted on 11/27/2003
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When all else fails, you might want to have your vet check your dog out for fungal infestation. Excessive dandruff and itchiness are the first symptoms of the disease. My vet prescribed an anti-fungal shampoo and ointment. I also bathe my dog at least once a week (although once every 4 days is supposedly ideal) and make very sure that he's hair AND skin are completely dry. Hope this helps.

Answer by Kevin
Submitted on 1/10/2004
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You could be bathing your dog too much. Use an oatmeal based shampoo, plus don't forget a moisturizing conditioner. You should not wash your dog more than once a month unless absolutely necessary. Use a waterless shampoo when possible. Washing the dog removes their natural oils making them more dry.

Answer by gloria-the-dog
Submitted on 3/23/2004
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well, i have the same problem with my Gloria, and i found that, if you mix a little bit of hot water with the dogs food, it helps, i don't know why, but she just stop chewing and itching so much, also, i tried out of curiosity, mixing green tea leaves with her shampoo, then heating the shampoo in hot water for a few minutes helps. i hope you find something that works for you!!!

Answer by candy
Submitted on 10/11/2004
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maybe your not rinseing well enouf you should poor cups of water over and over so that all the shampoo and you might wanna try a puppy shampoo

Answer by Natalia
Submitted on 1/23/2006
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I agree with Kevin. You are washing your dog too much. Try washing less, and adding more fish oils to the diet, in the form of vitamins or enhanced food. Ask your vet about Omega 3 Fatty Acids. It takes 2-3 days for the natural oils to come back to the skin after bathing, which is also why you must wait before applying flea medications.

Answer by Bridie Clark
Submitted on 5/29/2006
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well Ive had the same problem with my puppy. and ive read up on some things and aparantly Omega 3, Vitamin E and Brewers Yeast, fish oils or even sardines in their food are good. but also I have found out that in the late summer early fall they do get abit itchy, so mabye its just a fase

Answer by Laine
Submitted on 6/11/2006
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We have a 3 month old german shepherd. He chews on himself and scratches all the time. He had been treated with flea treatment. When I took him to the vet two weeks later, he said it was what they call Puppy Itches. Some puppies have a form of dermatitis. He said generally they out grow it. I also learned from the breeder that your only suppose to give a dog a bath only 2 times a year if they are an inside dog. Otherwise it will get rid of the skin oils they need.

Answer by pean
Submitted on 7/3/2006
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You may want to try changing your puppy's dog shampoo. My dog Ginger needed a bath and she got dandriff and i changed her shampoo and it worked. Or try this cream for dogs my friend brought it over and my dog has mange i think that's what it looks llike and she said us that cream and it works with dandriff to beacuse my dog also had dandriff it works in less than a week. So I hope I helped.

Answer by Border Collie Gurl
Submitted on 10/13/2006
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Always check with your vet becouse this mite be more serious then you think.

Answer by Angela
Submitted on 2/3/2007
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My Shih Tzu is now 3months old some of your answers helped but then contradicted them as well. I have had her checked for mites and have the vet has given her steriod shot for puppy alergies. He also advised to give her baby benadryl 3x's a day which I think is too much so i try only to give it to her 2x's a day. I put water in her food and I have tried the oatmeal baths. I have tried letting her go w/out bath for few days. I have used expensive shampoo and cream rinse from my vet but nothing seems to help her any help or answers to my problem

Answer by Jenn
Submitted on 4/3/2007
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I have a big question, i think my dog either has dandruff or he got paint on his fur. whatever it was it is really irritating his skin. he stops to scratch about ever 5 minutes.does anyone have a miracle?

Answer by tatty
Submitted on 4/17/2007
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maybe i'm crazy . but shortstuff i have a 4 month old shih tzu and the shampoo am using for him is the johnson's detangling shampoo for babies and my puppy's skin is soft and his fur is soft with no tangles. so i recommend you that shampoo .

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