Oil question

[robinette]

I switched Vegas from Wellness Venison to Canidae. I have been noticing that he has fairly dry skin the past while. Not sure if its from the switch or not.

I started giving him some Olive oil (about 1/2 tsp per day) to help but it seems to be working as a laxitive. We just corrected that problem with the food switch so that was dissapointing to see. Correct me if I am wrong but don't oils work as a laxitive for dogs? I thought I heard this somewhere.

The baths with oatmeal shampoo and conditioner work but only short term. Any ideas of what I can do to help the dryness?

 

[gmacleod]

How about a few meals of canned oily fish? Just one a week, or every second week is all that's needed there.

Or, you could try ground flaxseed added to his food. I wouldn't add some every day though (same with oil, incidentally). Just a couple of times per week should be more than adequate.

 

[robinette]

Oh he would love that. He really like the oil on his kibble, I gave him his supper without it last night and he stood there looking at me like it was missing somthing. Fish is one of the 4 protiens he can have so I will try that.

Is one type of fish better then the other, tuna or salmon?

As for the flax, once ground how much should I feed at one feeding? and not with this fish I presume, I should rotate flax and fish weekly/bi-weekly?

 

[gmacleod]

Tuna isn't the greatest - he'd probably love it, but it's a bit high in mercury. Better to use canned small fish such as sardines, pilchards or mackeral. If you were to give one 400gram (approx) can a week, you could choose to give it as a whole meal - or just to add a spoonful to his regular meals daily. Up to you really.

As for flaxseed, a tablespoon or two of freshly ground seeds is quite sufficient. Once or twice a week.

Obviously, you don't need both at the same time. And if you find one works better for his system than the other, then I guess that's going to decide which you use. But if he's fine with both, then alternating which one he gets on any given week would work just fine

 

[SuperCooper]

Oils

I have found especially in the winter months that Cooper's skin get dryer. It is probably from the climate change. I have found a combination of the following really seems to help and he doesn't itch at all anymore.

Lipiderm Healthy Skin & Coat Liquid - per weight

Advanced formula with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, along with vitamins A, E and zinc, assists in relieving itching, flaky skin and excessive shedding in dogs. Liquid formula can be added to food; capsules may be offered directly or the contents can be added to food. Please follow label directions for correct dosing, based on dog's weight.

MiracleCorp Hypoallergenic Shampoo
Mild, gentle and natural cleansers remove dirt and dander without irritation. Additional moisturizers help dry, itchy skin. Leaves a pleasant sunny coconut scent. For Dogs only. Not for dogs under 8 weeks old.


Pet Skin Mist Treatment by MiracleCorp
Spray-on formula with the all natural healing properties of Pure Tea Tree Oil for sensitive and hard to reach trouble spots. Effective on dry skin, itchy skin, hot spots, flea and tick dermatitis, cuts, bruises and abrasions. Not for dogs under 8 weeks old or pregnant bitches.

 

[Shakira's Ma]

Tuna isn't the greatest - he'd probably love it, but it's a bit high in mercury. Better to use canned small fish such as sardines, pilchards or mackeral. If you were to give one 400gram (approx) can a week, you could choose to give it as a whole meal - or just to add a spoonful to his regular meals daily. Up to you really.

Should this fish be packed in water or oil? I know that we are talking about oils for the skin and coat so I am assuming packed in oil. I have been giving ShaKira and my ChowChow a tablespoon of mackeral or a sardine in their supper meal every night, but I have been using packed in water, correct me if I should be using the oil. Also I have heard that salmon is not the greatest either, like the tuna is this correct? Thanking you in advance

 

[robinette]

Great thanks, I will try the Fish and the Flax seeds. I am sure he will like both. I wondered about the Mercury content so thats mostly why I inquired about the type.

Pet Skin Mist Treatment by MiracleCorp
Spray-on formula with the all natural healing properties of Pure Tea Tree Oil

I have heard that Tea Tree oil is toxic to dog and especially cats. Am I wrong on this one? I read this somewhere but also used pure Tea Tree on Vegas's ears for a couple days one time and he was really lethargic for the 2 days I was using it. That's when I went online and read that it was toxic. The next day he was fine because i stopped using it. Any one know?

 

[SuperCooper]

Pet Skin Mist Treatment by MiracleCorp

Hmm ... That is a good question now that you bring it up. It is produced by one of the better dog shampoo companies. I did a quick search on Google about it and noted that Tea Tree Oil that is undiluted is toxic to cats. The information that I have found states that it is toxic if ingested and can cause lethargic symptoms if used as a straight oil. I have used this spray in particular on Old English Bulldogs, Shar Pei's ( With chronic skin problems) and Boxers now without every having a problem. I just spray his coat down lightly after a bath and then wipe him down with a towel. It has helped tremendously with the dry flaking skin and his coat is gorgeous.

"Tea Tree Oil for Pet Medication


Antiseptic Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a natural antiseptic for pet medication. The oil immediately penetrates outer skin layers and mixes with body oils to treat such conditions as insect bites, cuts, burns, bruises, or boils.

Anti-inflammatory Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has pain-numbing properties and can be used topically for sprains, arthritis, gout, or ear infections. Use products containing tea tree oil, since the pure essential oil would be irritating to sensitive areas!

Anti-fungal Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is an excellent antifungal and can be employed for pet medication of yeast infections, and ringworm. For ringworm apply a tea tree gel, or cream to the affected area, or add a few drops of tea tree oil to the bath water.
To fight plaque at your dogs teeth, brush with toothpaste containing tea tree oil.

Pet Medication

Because pets also suffer many of the same disorders as humans, tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) can be used for pet medication of arthritis, bad breath, ringworm, or ear infections.
For external application, mix 1 teaspoon tea tree oil with 1 cup of water.
When using tea tree oil for pet medication, always dilute it as full strength can cause irritations.

Do not use tea tree oil internally! Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) contains toxic cyclic terpenes. Thus, apply it only on areas where your dog cannot lick it off! Do not use it on open wounds.
Therefore we only use Neem oil to treat skin problems. Neem is totally harmless, and absolutely non-toxic.

Neem oil for dog skin disorders"

 

[lisasentous]

Lisa loves her Tuna, I give her a small amount that has been canned in olive oil plus tuna in brine as I don´t want to give her too much oil. She really enjoys fish.

The great mediterranean diet.

 

[beasleymom]

I have heard that Tea Tree oil is toxic to dog and especially cats. Am I wrong on this one? I read this somewhere but also used pure Tea Tree on Vegas's ears for a couple days one time and he was really lethargic for the 2 days I was using it. That's when I went online and read that it was toxic. The next day he was fine because i stopped using it. Any one know?

If you do a search on this site using Tea Tree Oil as your search words you'll find my thread about the horrific experience Beasley had when I used 2 drops on him. Scared the crap out of me and I will never use ANYTHING that has Tea Tree Oil listed as an ingredient, regardless of how diluted it may be.