Stop bathing your dog frequently (once or twice a year is PLENTY as long as you brush him or her each day with a soft bristled brush wiped with baby oil or a coat/skin conditioner), it could also be the food. Personally I would NEVER think of subjecting my dog to Eukanuba, IAMS, or god forbid puppy chow or the infamous kibbles and bits! Ack! Those dog foods are way sub par and horrible for your dogs health coat and skin not to mention the lower bowls of your dog can be completely killed by these products! Try an all natural or holistic brand of dog food (some are even cheaper than eukanuba it all depends on the food) and try some salmon or fish oils in his or her diet.
First off, are you bathing/grooming him all the time? If so you shouldn't as it strips the dogs coat of natural oils. Fish oil is good for dogs coats - just mix it in the dog's food. If it is a really bad case see a groomer or vet for advise on how to treat it.
My dog has had a very similar problem we used regular non scented lotion and 8 in 1 Perfect Coat Natural Oatmeal Shampoo which, you can get at any pet store, we bought it at Petco.
I have had the same problem with my 13 month old male gsd. It seems to be a topical epidermal reaction to internal food allergies. I have been told by multiple vets that Eukanuba is the top brand on the market. Their Naturally Wild Venison and Potato Formula does not contain the usual ingredients that can cause allergic reactions such as wheat, rice, and corn which all contain gluten. I am not assuming that it is completely absent of gluten, but it should have significantly lower levels. I would also talk to the vet. He or she will want to test the areas that any scabbing may have formed to make sure it is not a form of dermatitis, hormone related, or a congenital disorder. And of course, remember that gsds do not produce as much natural oils as other popular breeds such as retrievers and some working dogs. This means that they should be bathed MUCH less frequently. As an inside dog, my guy can go up to three months with just a good wipe down with a towel after he's been outside and a spritz of pet perfume every week. That stuff works even when he gets wet from playing in the snow! A good rule of thumb is not to bathe her until she gets that "doggy smell." This will help to maintain the proper level of natural oils in her coat. Be careful about using Omega-3 Supplements. Be sure to introduce them very, very slowly as they are known to have the side effect of loose stools. It tore my poor guys stomach up for a few days. I hope this helps!- GSDMom
The pet care product(s) you are using may actually be causing your dog's skin to dry out and itch. Most commercial skin care products, whether its for people or pets, contain harsh ingredients that can contribute to lots of different skin care problems: Redness, flaky skin, dryness, itching, burning, inflammation, rashes, etc... This can be miserable for a pet. That can be constantly scratching, irritating the, already, dried out skin.
There is a handcrafted, natural, pet soap that is extremely mild and gentle that can be used on pets with sensitive skin. It is so mild and gentle, it can be used on pregnant or seizure prone animals. This natural soap thoroughly cleanses, moisturizes and, even, kills fleas immediately upon taking a bath! Your pet can smell fresh and have a beautiful shiny coat! It is an Au Natural pet soap, meaning it contains no fragrances, whatsoever, so it is great for pets with sensitive skin. This soap is available on a rope for convenient, easy, bathing.
You could try a baby shampoo or baby bath. They are usually very gentle and do not cause drying of the skin. Perhaps you could even try a mild conditioner or add just a couple of drops of baby oil (not a lot or her coat will be oily) to her next bath. You could always consult your vet, just in case... Good luck.
I have a male Yorkie that suffers from dry skin. I bought him a really good brand of food, I put Happy Jack liquid vitamins on it, and I only bath him every 14 days with oatmeal shampoo that has conditioner added. He's doing really good now. I think the one thing that made the biggest difference is the food. It will take a little while to straighten him out but keep at it and you'll see a turn around in approx 1 1/2 months.
There is an Au Natural, unscented, dog shampoo made with mild and gentle, natural, ingredients. This handcrafted, natural, shampoo is so gentle it can be used on pregnant or seizure prone dogs. It thoroughly cleanses, conditions and even kills fleas immediately upon taking a bath! It is an unscented, mild and gentle, healthful shampoo for pets. It is great for pets with sensitive skin too.
Give him/her a vinegar water bath and stay away from soaps. Soaps will just make it worse. Also the skin can be dry from health problems so a vet trip is a good idea.
Look in to the food you feed him to. Eukanuba has a sensitive skin branch of food. But I am sure there are other foods with stuff for his/she skin. Or even call your vet and ask them if there is anything they recommend.
My 2yr old son has a very dry skin and none of the other creams work well including Vaseline, Aquaphor etc. We used to apply moisturizer on his body 4-5 times a day, but the problem continued until we found out about the Made from Earth Pure Aloe Treatment. This cream is a real savior in healing his dry skin problem. I would definitely recommend this cream to anyone who has dry skin or is dealing with a dry skin related problem.
