dandruff and flaky skin

I had a TERRIBLE time with my dobe and his skin.  I was about ready to throw in the towel and just live with his dry flaky skin.  The vet had recommended Omega 3-6's and fish oil.  I tried that.  I tried a number of different kinds of dog food.  It was SO frustrating.
 
However, I've had him on Canidae for just over a week and the dry flaky skin is gone. 
 
Just my experience... []

Which line of Canidae?

I have him on the all-life stage.  The dry kibble. 
 
I don't know if it will help yours - but Tux's coat is definitely better!

I just had my Havanese puppy's hair clipped very short and I noticed that he has dry skin/dandruff.  Since we are still in winter weather, we have the heat on all day and I am wondering if this could be part of the problem?  Is dry skin only food related?  I have also been bathing him once every 20 days or so and I brush him every night.  I am just wondering if it could be caused by any other circumstances.

It could definitely be the heat and dryness of the house.  You'll know for sure when it warms up and the heat gets turned off.
 
I knew mine was food related - because it was all year round - not just winter. 

noticed that he has dry skin/dandruff.

Dry skin and dandruff are two completely unrelated things. Dry skin is just that... dry skin caused by loss of oil either because of dry heat/weather, overbathing or nutritional deficiency.

Dandruff on the other hand is caused by an out of control yeast like infection. There are bacteria that live on the skin of humans and dogs that feed on dead skin cells. When these yeast get out of control they cause the cell turnover to increase. This is similar to the bacteria that also live on all dogs but when get out of control cause demodex mange. They are ALWAYS present.

The flakes associated with dandruff are large, thick and oily.  The flakes associated w/dry skin are dry, small and thin. This is why dandruff requires things like pyrithirone, coal tar and sulfur to keep under control. Dry skin requires emolients, nutritional supplements like omega 3's & 6's , fish oil, flaxseed oil, etc to lubricate the skin.

Thank you very much - that was EXTREMELY helpful!!  I now know that Winston has dry skin and not dandruff.  We are finally getting Spring-like weather here in NJ and I've noticed the flakyness has subsided.  I will wait it out a bit longer and if necessary, I will supplement with some fish oil.  Quick question - these fish oils, flaxseed oil, can I just buy from health food store or Whole foods?  Or does it need to be from a pet supply store?  Thanks again!

You can either buy fish oil caps at the health food store or drug store, but you need to supplement with Vit E if you do that.  I'm not sure of the ratio of Vit E to the fish oil and found it confusing myself, so I've used the Derm Caps or equivalent, which you can buy at the pet store.  It might be a bit pricier but neither way is terribly expensive.

I've just moved to a new apartment two weeks ago and my boxer has been getting really bad dandruff.  I've been feeding her Chicken Soup for the Dog, Adult Formula for 2 years now.  When I feed her I also add about 2 tsp. full of Nutricoat, Skin & Coat Food Supplement and mix in a 1/4 cup of water.  I've never had a problem like this before. 

I'm new to the forum, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Hi Mad4-
Your boxer sure is a cutie!
You say this just started after the move? How old is the apartment- I know that when we moved into our house at school, (which was built in the 1920s and not lived in for about 5 years) Daisy got really bad allergies and dandruff, from the dust in the house.
I've never tried nutri-coat, but does it help?
 
I give daisy Fish Oil daily.

Thanks for replying thedoc617. 

She used to have a bit of dandruff in the past but nothing like she has now.  These are big flakes.  That's why I started to use the Nutricoat about 3 years ago.  It seemed to have help.  I don#%92t use it every single day, but more like every other.     Though I did move from the east coast to Indiana.  The air is a bit drier here.  Do you think that might be it?  Maybe I should try the fish oil. 

I also give her 1 raw egg a week with her food.  I've always found that made her coat soft and shinny.

Thanks!