Diet for a Healthy Coat? - Dog Forums

Vickarita · 09-27-2006, 10:03 PM

Please help - any suggestions for our pup would be greatly appreciated. We were feeding Skye Iams Adult dog food - but he shedds horribly. Little short wiry blond and white hairs are invading everything! He's a pit/aussie mix, with a short coat. I recently switched to Purina One - someone suggested it to improve his coat, and I figured since the cost was comparable, it couldn't be too bad, and he seems to be okay with it now that we're about 2 weeks into the bag, and I swear his coat is shinier already...but he 'processes' it much more quickly, and more frequently than the Iams. We feed him 2 cups per day. He's 1.5 years old, and weighs about 65 lbs. Ideas? Suggestions? Keep it simple - we're a busy 7 member family (5 kids), so I don't have time (or the budget)to clean, cut and 'decorate' raw chicken or prime beef for him, and I don't want to spend an unreasonable amount of money for a 20 or 30 lb bag either - but I am willing to do what it takes for him to look and feel great.

BelovedJuggernaut · 09-27-2006, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vickarita

Keep it simple - we're a busy 7 member family (5 kids), so I don't have time (or the budget)to clean, cut and 'decorate' raw chicken or prime beef for him, and I don't want to spend an unreasonable amount of money for a 20 or 30 lb bag either - but I am willing to do what it takes for him to look and feel great.

That statement right there is contradicting itself, but here are some tips/suggestions nonetheless:

Cetain dog foods are don't have enough nutrients for a healthy coat. If your dogs coat/shedding is important, you should also be concerned about what is fed to the dog.
Better quality foods contain correct amounts of omega-3 & 6 fatty acids. These are the foods you want to be feeding your dog. If you feel like the food is too expensive, try using flaxseed or fish oil to suppliment the food you already have. Also, how often do you brush the dog? I brush my GSD every day, along with feeding flaxseed and she sheds bad when she blows her coat, but daily... she is great.

There are various premium dog foods, I use Nurto Ultra brand with added suppliments.
I am sure other people on here would be more than happy to volunteer what they use as well.

DiggityDogs · 09-27-2006, 11:38 PM

Nutro is good for skin and coat, just stay away from the 'max' formula. Go with natural choice, or even better, ultra. Also, Diamond has a new formula out that is corn and by-product free, and has a decent ingredient list- it's not perfect, but it's decent, and it's pretty affordable- my friend that breeds feeds it to her show dogs. It's called diamond naturals, and it's about $20 for a 40 lb bag here. Good coat suppliments are fish oil capsules or salmon oil, kelp, and omega fatty acids. Most of the better brands have those already in them, but they will cost you a little more.

StarfishSaving · 09-27-2006, 11:40 PM

My dogs are doing fantastic with Merrick Wilderness blend, but it's about $40 a bag. My 11mo Irish puppy is getting Solid Gold Barking at the Moon and looks amazing- it's hypoallergenic but the protein content is high so I supplement with fresh veggies.

My boss shows coonhounds. They all eat Purina Pro Plan and they're all at the top of their breed, nice and shiny, good muscle tone and no dry skin or coat.

And I have to say, my dogs always loved Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul and it worked wonders for them. Slightly more frequent BMs than with Merrick but nice regular stool and their coats looked great. It's extremely palatable according to an About.com taste test and my dogs/fosters, so it may be a reasonably priced alternative for you- it's the same price or cheaper than Iams if I'm not mistaken.

You can always try adding Fish or Flax Oil, OFAs like BelovedJuggernaut mentioned.

Rottweilerlvr · 09-28-2006, 03:55 AM

Since food has already been mentioned and I agree with the above statements, I have nothing to add to that.

What about getting the furminator, it's a brush that reduces shedding by like 95% and really works wonders... I highly recommend it. Also, bathing a dog with shampoo and conditioner also helps your dogs coat as well as getting loose hair out or loosing it up for the brush, and the conditioner also makes it soft and shiny.

StarfishSaving · 09-28-2006, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rottweilerlvr

What about getting the furminator, it's a brush that reduces shedding by like 95% and really works wonders... I highly recommend it. Also, bathing a dog with shampoo and conditioner also helps your dogs coat as well as getting loose hair out or loosing it up for the brush, and the conditioner also makes it soft and shiny.

Both are really good suggestions. When you're bathing your dog, if you use a rubber curry brush or something like the "Zoom Groom" by the Kong company (I think...), it really helps pull the hair out.

You can easily break or thin out a dog's coat with the furminator, though, so you have to watch when you use it. I've had great success with shedding blades but if you use them, DO IT OUTSIDE! lol It makes a holy mess and unlike the furminator, doesn't hang onto the hair at all.

Work from the inside out, though, and do change/supplement the food.

You also must take into consideration that most dogs are shedding at this time of year so it may not be just the food.

Rottweilerlvr · 09-28-2006, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarfishSaving

You can easily break or thin out a dog's coat with the furminator, though, so you have to watch when you use it.

I have heard this from several people but I haven't noticed it happening on my dogs, but then again I've only had it since May... I asked a question about it to the PetsMart lady about it, but she couldn't answer maybe someone here can.

Does the blade on the furminator ever need to be replaced?

DiggityDogs · 09-28-2006, 05:13 AM

yeah, after a lot of use some of the teeth can chip and break and can get rough on the skin. But, if you didn't by the furminator with the replaceable blade, you just have to buy a new one. If you look at the head of the furm on one side it will have two little plastic caps, about the size of a pencil eraser that cover the screws- if it doesn't have that you can't replace your blade. They last quite a while, though, if you're only using it on one or two dogs.

StarfishSaving · 09-28-2006, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rottweilerlvr

I have heard this from several people but I haven't noticed it happening on my dogs, but then again I've only had it since May... I asked a question about it to the PetsMart lady about it, but she couldn't answer maybe someone here can.

Does the blade on the furminator ever need to be replaced?

I think it mostly occurs if you're over-brushing in one area. It's the same as with a stripping knife- you can take more than just the loose hair out of the dog with it. I've never had a problem with either tool- I strip my setters rather than clip them. I also think that if you're not applying too much pressure you'll have less problem.

And Diggity's right about the blades (though I didn't realize that Furminator made one that didn't give you the option of replacing the blades- good to know). And they do last a while! We use ours at the grooming shop at least a couple times a day to shed out dogs and I'm not sure they've ever had to be replaced yet.

Vickarita · 09-28-2006, 05:30 PM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions - I think we'll give the Nutro a shot, since I've had many others recommend it as well. Also, wanted to reply to Juggernaut's note that my statement was contradictory - she's right. It wasn't my intention to sound like Skye isn't worth healthy, more expensive dog food - he absolutely is!! I'm just trying to get some realistic responses with guidelines that can work for us and be good for him. We simply aren't able to spend a lot of time or money preparing elaborate meals for him as many people have recommended to me in the past. Thanks again for everyone's responses - appreciate it!

09-27-2006, 10:03 PM	#1
Vickarita Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2	Diet for a Healthy Coat? Please help - any suggestions for our pup would be greatly appreciated. We were feeding Skye Iams Adult dog food - but he shedds horribly. Little short wiry blond and white hairs are invading everything! He's a pit/aussie mix, with a short coat. I recently switched to Purina One - someone suggested it to improve his coat, and I figured since the cost was comparable, it couldn't be too bad, and he seems to be okay with it now that we're about 2 weeks into the bag, and I swear his coat is shinier already...but he 'processes' it much more quickly, and more frequently than the Iams. We feed him 2 cups per day. He's 1.5 years old, and weighs about 65 lbs. Ideas? Suggestions? Keep it simple - we're a busy 7 member family (5 kids), so I don't have time (or the budget)to clean, cut and 'decorate' raw chicken or prime beef for him, and I don't want to spend an unreasonable amount of money for a 20 or 30 lb bag either - but I am willing to do what it takes for him to look and feel great.

09-27-2006, 11:40 PM	#4
StarfishSaving Starfish To the sea ResQ Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SW PA Posts: 460	My dogs are doing fantastic with Merrick Wilderness blend, but it's about $40 a bag. My 11mo Irish puppy is getting Solid Gold Barking at the Moon and looks amazing- it's hypoallergenic but the protein content is high so I supplement with fresh veggies. My boss shows coonhounds. They all eat Purina Pro Plan and they're all at the top of their breed, nice and shiny, good muscle tone and no dry skin or coat. And I have to say, my dogs always loved Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul and it worked wonders for them. Slightly more frequent BMs than with Merrick but nice regular stool and their coats looked great. It's extremely palatable according to an About.com taste test and my dogs/fosters, so it may be a reasonably priced alternative for you- it's the same price or cheaper than Iams if I'm not mistaken. You can always try adding Fish or Flax Oil, OFAs like BelovedJuggernaut mentioned. __________________ www.starfishtothesea.org Starfish To the sea Animal Rescue All kinds. All heart. Always.

09-28-2006, 03:55 AM	#5
Rottweilerlvr Leader of the Pack Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 789	Since food has already been mentioned and I agree with the above statements, I have nothing to add to that. What about getting the furminator, it's a brush that reduces shedding by like 95% and really works wonders... I highly recommend it. Also, bathing a dog with shampoo and conditioner also helps your dogs coat as well as getting loose hair out or loosing it up for the brush, and the conditioner also makes it soft and shiny. __________________ Linnea Shirley ================== Countess Isabella de la Rosa, TT, CGC Riddick, Rescued Rottweiler The Fearless Cat, Mr. Kiki ================== Baxter "Always in my Heart" 01/03/00 - 09/07/07 Beloved Rottweiler

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09-27-2006, 11:38 PM	#3
DiggityDogs Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ....... Posts: 682	Nutro is good for skin and coat, just stay away from the 'max' formula. Go with natural choice, or even better, ultra. Also, Diamond has a new formula out that is corn and by-product free, and has a decent ingredient list- it's not perfect, but it's decent, and it's pretty affordable- my friend that breeds feeds it to her show dogs. It's called diamond naturals, and it's about $20 for a 40 lb bag here. Good coat suppliments are fish oil capsules or salmon oil, kelp, and omega fatty acids. Most of the better brands have those already in them, but they will cost you a little more.

09-28-2006, 05:13 AM	#8
DiggityDogs Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ....... Posts: 682	yeah, after a lot of use some of the teeth can chip and break and can get rough on the skin. But, if you didn't by the furminator with the replaceable blade, you just have to buy a new one. If you look at the head of the furm on one side it will have two little plastic caps, about the size of a pencil eraser that cover the screws- if it doesn't have that you can't replace your blade. They last quite a while, though, if you're only using it on one or two dogs.

09-28-2006, 05:30 PM	#10
Vickarita Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2	Thanks everyone for the suggestions - I think we'll give the Nutro a shot, since I've had many others recommend it as well. Also, wanted to reply to Juggernaut's note that my statement was contradictory - she's right. It wasn't my intention to sound like Skye isn't worth healthy, more expensive dog food - he absolutely is!! I'm just trying to get some realistic responses with guidelines that can work for us and be good for him. We simply aren't able to spend a lot of time or money preparing elaborate meals for him as many people have recommended to me in the past. Thanks again for everyone's responses - appreciate it!