[cmbrewob]

I have a 6 month old black lab puppy with very dry skin. Puppy dandruff shampoo does not seem to help. Any suggestions?

[labman]

Bathe him as little as possible, and if you do bathe him, be very carefully to rinse out every last trace of shampoo. Regular brushing will control odor. Use a soft bristle brush. When he sheds in the spring, switch to a slicker brush with the curved metal teeth. I find them very effective. Others like the brushes with the large rubber cone teeth.

Most of his calories should come from a commercial dog chow, by now switching to an adult chow. All but the cheapest ones contain the essential fatty acids needed to give a healthy skin and coat. It is very easy to make sure your dog is getting the complete and balanced diet it needs by feeding a dog chow.

If cutting out baths, brushing, and a good diet do not reduce the itching in a month, you may need to talk to the vet. Allergies are all too common.

[Insane_Rain13]

Try using oatmeal bath when you want to bathe your dog. You can find it in pet supply stores or even in your local pharmacy. It is basically the stuff we bathe in when we have the chickenpoxes. Your dog might have allergies and may need to take meds for them or may even need shots from the vet. If the dry skin continues you should see the vet about it.
Best of luck!

[fredg]

Hi,
Welcome to this site, and thank you for posting a question here.
As another stated below:
"If cutting out baths, brushing, and a good diet do not reduce the itching in a month, you may need to talk to the vet. Allergies are all too common."

I would either call or take the puppy to the Vet now. You can try all the above, but it might not solve the dry skin problem. I know the other answer said wait a month or so, but, the Vet might know what will definitely help now, and can help now with treatment, special shampoo, or whatever the Vet thinks.
I do wish you and your puppy the best, and I'm sure it will work out OK.

[labman]

I have been answering dog questions for years on a number of sites. Almost all of the ones about dry skin and itching contain descriptions of what the dog is being bathed in, often the oatmeal. As I said, I seldom bath my dogs. Not only do I have them out in public a lot, I have them around people whose job it is to make sure I am caring for them right. Nobody ever says anything about an odor problem. Brushing is a far better solution than any kind of baths.

[Insane_Rain13]

Before my cat passed away she had really bad skin allergies and the vet can give a medicated oatmeal bath. My vet says that it is one of the best things to do for your pet with dry skin, because most animals are not allergic to oatmeal and it soothes the skin.