My dog gets omegas. Should I still apply oil to his skin?

I recommend giving a fatty acid skin supplement orally to help keep her skin healthy and coat shiny. Fish oil orally will work also. I do not use anything on the skin itself usually unless it's very dry and flaky, then I use a moisturizing grooming spray after a bath with a hypo allergenic shampoo. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Roxy.

Hello. The problem with using oils on the coat is the residual greasiness. If you want to use something, use a leave-in conditioner made for dogs, either post bathing, or one of the mousse rub in ones. The best way to get oils into the coat is to feed Arjun omega 3 fatty acids, so a good fish oil supplement daily. I would administer 1 000-1200 mg capsule twice daily & in a couple of weeks, his coat should start looking a little better. The longer you give it, the better it will work. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! No, this is not how it is intended to be done and is not likely effective that way. I would recommend you give it by mouth instead as recommended by your veterinarian. Best of luck!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep the coat shiny. I recommend using a product labeled for dogs, which are available in pet stores. These are typically dosed based on weight (larger dogs may require multiple capsules), and are given daily. There are many options available, from liquids to capsules, so you can choose whatever suits you and Marley! I hope this helps and that all is well!

Hello. You might do better to give a fish oil capsule as opposed to the flaxseed. The omega 3 & 6 in fish oil has better anti-inflammatory properties than the plant based oils. I would give Sadie Mae 1000-1200 mg fish oil twice a day. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Fish oil does tend to make the coat shinier and nicer looking, which will likely be the most obvious benefit you get from supplementing. Fish oil does have antiinflamatory properties that may be helpful with the itching, but I wouldn't expect a drastic change. There has been a great deal of debate about ratios of Omega 6 vs 3, but honestly, the debate is not over, so the 4:1 ratio should be fine. I would just make sure that the omega 3 fatty acids do not get above 1mg per kg of body weight, or you could be giving above the safe upper limit. Probiotics are another supplement that are not bad to give, but is not necessary for a healthy animal. I usually only advise probiotic supplementation for intestinal conditions where there has been some good evidence for its use. Probiotics are also an unregulated product, so depending on the product, it may or may not be have what it claims; or may not have the bacteria that are known to be beneficial. For this reason, I only recommend getting probiotics as directed by your veterinarian. I hope that helps and all is well with Chloe.

Not all dog foods have high enough amounts of omegas to help with skin function. They are also used to stabilize/preserve the food. There are lots of different causes for dandruff, including allergies, skin parasites, general dryness or unhealthy skin for another reason. I would start with a vet visit to rule out a more serious medical condition and talk about higher doses of omegas and perhaps particular medicated bathes to help. I really like the brand nordic naturals for the fish oils.