Monday, May 16, 2011

Does Your Pooch Have A Problem With Dog Dandruff And Dry Skin?

By Jeffrey Tomson


Your family dog is not as young as he used to be. At eight years old he's still in remarkably good health but he's simply not as lively as he once was. He spends more time inside, sleeps more and his once legendary appetite has certainly dropped off, though not dangerously. Aside from that the biggest change in hom you've noticed is that he is scratching a little bit more and he has got an obvious case of dog dandruff. You wonder what might be causing it.

## Changes in bathing and grooming habits can contribute

Dandruff is simply dead skin and isn't, in and of itself, anything to be concerned about. The easiest method to keep dandruff in check is to frequently shampoo, brush and groom your dog. Sometimes when an older dog grows less active there's less of a pressing need to bathe him as frequently mainly because he's not getting as dirty. This may lead to an accumulation of flakes that were previously being washed and brushed away.

## Dry skin might be an issue

Ddry skin on dogs is more prone to flaking than healthy moisture rich skin. Not only is it more prone to itchiness and scratching but physically it flakes away more readily. An older dog that spends a lot of time indoors and may not be getting bathed as often is likely to have dryer skin. Your sleepy older dog is also likely spending less time running around in the grass, splashing around in the water and getting rained on. Also, if he is sleeping near a baseboard heater or a heat vent, he is likely drying out his skin. A good way to combat dry skin is to try to incorporate a source of salmon oil for dogs into his diet.

## Scratching due to fleas

It is possible that your older dog has become susceptible to fleas. If your dog is spending more time inside and requiring less grooming and bathing that is sometimes all the opportunity that is needed to pick up a flea problem that didn't afflict him when he was younger.

## It could even be Cheyletiellosis

Cheyletiella is a species of mites that lives on a dog's skin. Cheyletiellosis, also known as walking dandruff, is quite contagious and your dog may have picked it up from another pet. It can live for up to 10 days between hosts. Again sometimes all that is required is to step up the bathing and grooming to help restore the health of your less active dog. There are many good shampoos out there specifically formulated to cure dog dandruff and dry skin issues.

If your dog is suffering from any sort of skin ailment, even if it is relatively benign, consult your veterinarian before it contributes to possible further issues. A veterinarian will likely recommend a specially formulated shampoo that will help ensure that your beloved pet can enjoy his mature years to the their full potential.




About the Author:



>
AddThis Social Bookmark Button

0 comments: