[:S] Dandruff?

    • Bronze

    [:S] Dandruff?

    A while ago I gave Missie a bath and I didnt have any dog shampoo so I just used the baby shampoo considering its gentle on the skin. I washed her with it, rinsed her off thoroughly, and she was fine for a couple of days. But then I started to notice white flakes on her back, and when youd scratch her even more would come off. I tried brushing to get it out but it just gets worse, and because shes black its really noticeable. I checked her for fleas and she definatly doesnt have any. I even bought her the special tea tree oil shampoo for dogs and after I washed her with that it continued to come back. Is there anything I can do to get rid of it and prevent her from getting dandruff? Ive heard labs coats should be oily and brushing should encourage oils in her coat?

    • Gold Top Dog

    It may take a while for the PH to recover. Dogs shouldn't be bathed with people shampoo because their PH is totally different. I would just brush her every day and maybe use a bit of vitamin E oil on her back where she's got dandruff. I have a bottle of pure vitamin E oil and I use it to massage them, Just a small amount. They love it and look and feel gorgeous afterward! 

    Maybe a groomer can come along and give you some help.

    • Gold Top Dog

    It might have something to do with your dogs diet. What type of food is she eating? Have you tried putting salmon oil in her food? How about a dog shampoo specially formulated for dry skin? I'm sure other members will chime in with some good info.

    • Gold Top Dog

    The user "bunni" did pH tests on human and dog shampoos, and the numbers were VERY close.  Apparently there is a really good book by Barbra Bird (she has a well-established blog) about bathing products.

    I'm thinking, maybe a conditioner would help out?  Sorry, I'm not feeling very helpful tonight.

    • Bronze

    Thanks everyone Big Smile I'll try putting fish oils in her and see how she gets on!

    • Gold Top Dog

    Dandruff seems to be mostly an internal issue, unless you're just bathing her waaaay too often (from someone who literally bathes her dog twice a week, and has no issues).  

    • Gold Top Dog

    I agree here....Labs should only be bathed when absolutely necessary, like if they rolled in dead fish. Other than that, a quick rinse with water will do if the dog really needs it. Bathing with shampoo dries their coat out, and a Lab needs the oils in their fur. Honestly, I haven't bathed Apollo since last summer when he rolled in fiancee's bait while fishing. His coat is shiny, soft, and no dandruff is visable.