Puppy has dandruff and dull coat

Anthony8858 · 10-06-2011, 12:07 PM

Kira's coat seems rather dull and she has dandruff.
13 weeks old, still has puppy fur.

Is this normal?

I'm expecting a fresh coat to start growing in soon, but was wondering about the dandruff.

Emoore · 10-06-2011, 12:10 PM

Is she still eating ProPlan?

Puppy fur will start dropping out over the next few weeks. Dandruff could come from diet or environment, like if it's dry in your house.

Stosh · 10-06-2011, 12:36 PM

Have you bathed or brushed her yet? My mom's gsd ate Pro Plan for years and she shed like mad, had a dull coat so it might be the food. Give her time to shed the puppy coat, maybe give a raw egg every few days and brush her daily to stimulate the skin and remove flakes.

Anthony8858 · 10-06-2011, 01:07 PM

I'll address all the questions:

Yes, she's still on ProPlan large breed puppy. She loves it, her stools are solid, and it scares me to change right now.

Yes, we brush her (sort of). We use a shedding blade, that we had leftover from our Lab days.

She only had one bath. She smells, and I would like to give her another.

Here's a picture of her last week.
Since this pic was taken, I noticed her fur got real dull.

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/a...79179856_o.jpg

Emoore · 10-06-2011, 01:13 PM

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but dull coat, dandruff, and smelling bad are all signs that a food isn't agreeing with a dog. If she loved it, her stool was solid, her coat was glossy and she didn't stink I'd say great-- go for what works. But the coat, the smell, and the dandruff are signs it's not really working.

Since dogs don't sweat, they shouldn't be stinky unless they've gotten into something smelly. My dogs get baths once or twice a year, and they never smell. I have my mom (who's not a dog person) smell them occasionally because I know she'll tell me the truth. The smell is a sign something isn't agreeing with her.

GSDAlphaMom · 10-06-2011, 01:14 PM

It's not unusual for a puppy's coat to get dull before it starts transitioning to its intermediate coat. If she's 13 weeks she is approaching that window so it is probably that.

RocketDog · 10-06-2011, 01:17 PM

Does she have worms? They can be in a shedding cycle (the worms) and not get caught in a stool sample. My pup had a dull coat and was thin until we finally got a positive sample. Now he's shiny and healthy. Plus, he's never smelled at all. I think I might have to agree with Emoore on the food.

Anthony8858 · 10-06-2011, 01:30 PM

OK, I'm glad we're talking about this. So much to learn from you prior experiences.

The "smell" smells like "puppy breath" It's not foul, but it smells like she was rolling in hay, or dry grass.

Her stool looks good, but we have to bring a stool sample to vet tonight anyway. So that will be addressed.

The food: ??? Well, I've been suspect of the food since last week. I started another thread asking about the different foods for that reason. I ended up buy a 34lb bag of ProPlan Large breed puppy on sale for 27.99, and keeping her on that. It may turn out to be pennie wise / dollar foolish.

Let's ASSUME it could be allergy related, what would YOU do?
What food would you run to the store and buy?

BlackGSD · 10-06-2011, 01:40 PM

The only way to get rid of the puppy breath smell is to let get get a little more age on her.

Wolfiesmom · 10-06-2011, 01:54 PM

I think it's the food. Here is Chief, who because it was the 80s and I didn't know better, fed Purina and Wolfie who I feed Fromms. The pictures are when they are a year old

10-06-2011, 12:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Anthony8858 Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,313	Puppy has dandruff and dull coat Kira's coat seems rather dull and she has dandruff. 13 weeks old, still has puppy fur. Is this normal? I'm expecting a fresh coat to start growing in soon, but was wondering about the dandruff.

10-06-2011, 12:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,214	Is she still eating ProPlan? Puppy fur will start dropping out over the next few weeks. Dandruff could come from diet or environment, like if it's dry in your house. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

10-06-2011, 01:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
Anthony8858 Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,313	I'll address all the questions: Yes, she's still on ProPlan large breed puppy. She loves it, her stools are solid, and it scares me to change right now. Yes, we brush her (sort of). We use a shedding blade, that we had leftover from our Lab days. She only had one bath. She smells, and I would like to give her another. Here's a picture of her last week. Since this pic was taken, I noticed her fur got real dull. http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/a...79179856_o.jpg Last edited by Anthony8858; 10-06-2011 at 01:10 PM.

10-06-2011, 01:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,214	I know you probably don't want to hear this, but dull coat, dandruff, and smelling bad are all signs that a food isn't agreeing with a dog. If she loved it, her stool was solid, her coat was glossy and she didn't stink I'd say great-- go for what works. But the coat, the smell, and the dandruff are signs it's not really working. Since dogs don't sweat, they shouldn't be stinky unless they've gotten into something smelly. My dogs get baths once or twice a year, and they never smell. I have my mom (who's not a dog person) smell them occasionally because I know she'll tell me the truth. The smell is a sign something isn't agreeing with her. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

10-06-2011, 01:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
BlackGSD Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 7,795	The only way to get rid of the puppy breath smell is to let get get a little more age on her. __________________ Tracy Siren vom Banach { Sable female GSD 3-20-08} R.I.P. Wrangler male ACD/Aussie mix. 9-29-99 to8-29-11.

10-06-2011, 12:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 8,434	Have you bathed or brushed her yet? My mom's gsd ate Pro Plan for years and she shed like mad, had a dull coat so it might be the food. Give her time to shed the puppy coat, maybe give a raw egg every few days and brush her daily to stimulate the skin and remove flakes.

10-06-2011, 01:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
GSDAlphaMom Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 2,228	It's not unusual for a puppy's coat to get dull before it starts transitioning to its intermediate coat. If she's 13 weeks she is approaching that window so it is probably that.

10-06-2011, 01:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
RocketDog Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 1,268	Does she have worms? They can be in a shedding cycle (the worms) and not get caught in a stool sample. My pup had a dull coat and was thin until we finally got a positive sample. Now he's shiny and healthy. Plus, he's never smelled at all. I think I might have to agree with Emoore on the food.

10-06-2011, 01:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
Anthony8858 Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,313	OK, I'm glad we're talking about this. So much to learn from you prior experiences. The "smell" smells like "puppy breath" It's not foul, but it smells like she was rolling in hay, or dry grass. Her stool looks good, but we have to bring a stool sample to vet tonight anyway. So that will be addressed. The food: ??? Well, I've been suspect of the food since last week. I started another thread asking about the different foods for that reason. I ended up buy a 34lb bag of ProPlan Large breed puppy on sale for 27.99, and keeping her on that. It may turn out to be pennie wise / dollar foolish. Let's ASSUME it could be allergy related, what would YOU do? What food would you run to the store and buy?

10-06-2011, 01:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
Wolfiesmom Crowned Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 3,810	I think it's the food. Here is Chief, who because it was the 80s and I didn't know better, fed Purina and Wolfie who I feed Fromms. The pictures are when they are a year old Attached Thumbnails __________________ Mom to Chases Wolfgang Heinrich Von Ryan aka Wolfie born 12/20/09 Waiting for us at the bridge is Chases Chieftain aka Chiefy Left this earth and left a hole in our hearts July 2000

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