Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 2:31 pm Post subject: Best food for a 'dusty' coat on a black lab??
My nine month old black lab, Penny is currently on Arden Grange lamb and rice, having come off Arden Grange Puppy large breed. ( the chicken in the puppy food made her very windy).
Although she is doing well on it (perhaps too well, as I am having to cut her down as she has gained a few extra pounds more than is good for her), I have noticed that her coat appears 'dusty', no actual dandruff is apparant, just a dusty appearance. I have spent a lot of time searching for advice on food and have read a lot of posts, but still feel I need some specific advice. I am willing to pay a reasonable amount of money for food, but as LF members are already aware, price is not always a reflection on quality.
I was wondering about changing to the salmon and rice (AG) when we have finished the lamb, but the protein is 25-26% and I wondered if this is too high? I also like the look of Simpson's and White's as alternatives to Arden Grange, would these be better than AG salmon and rice?
I should add she has had a bath, and it is a coat health issue.
Hi Ali,it may just be 'that time of year' ie moulting. Lottie's skin used to be very dusty in Spring. She is also on Arden Grange Chicken BUT has been on other foods too,it made no difference. What has transformed her is Kronch Salmon Oil, 2 pumps a day on her food. Her coat and skin are now fantastic and she hardly moults. It's definitely the oil as I missed a week when I was house sitting and she was dry again!
I think fish oil is also good for the joints and she has elbow OCD so it helps both problems.
I buy a big 2.5 litre bottle with a pump on the top from Ebay...it lasts absolutely ages.I can't remember the last time I had to buy it!
Thanks Barbara, glad you know what I meant when I put 'dusty'. I will be looking at the salmon oil because it sounds what I am looking for. Pen's poos are so good on the AG and all else seems to be okay that adding the oil sounds like the best option.
Oh yep I know exactly what you meant...and it gets much worse if you brush them too!! Seriously though the oil is great. My vet warned me away from Cod Liver Oil and to go for the salmon.It's pure pressed and Lottie often gets called 'the seal' now she's so shiny. It sounds a lot...£40 for the big bottle but it lasts forever...hope it helps.
Barbara xx
Hi June,I was going to try the evening primrose if the salmon oil hadn't worked..I read on here about them so another good recommendation
Yes, I know what you mean about dusty, it's more the coat not the skin with my two. I don't know about food, I've tried various quality foods and BARF and food supplements like kronch fish oil and yumega all have helped a little for a while but really it's just the moult.
The best 'remedy' for a dusty coat I find is a good shower. No shampoo just a good rinse and a good massage to work all the dead hair out, thereafter all shiney and black again
my previous lab had a poor dry coat due to steroid use and I was recommended a herbal supplement from healthspan (dog section) vet vits called coat conditioner and this solved the problem and she had a lovely coat
Benson was suffering with a dusty coat so my two now get mackerel mixed with their kibble at least twice a week and on the other days I add a teaspoon of salmon oil from Fish4dogs. His coat is lovely and shiny again now
Just to say: I fed AG Salmon and Rice and it really did make a difference to my dogs' coats. But I put this down to the oil content, which you can replicate by supplementing the diet with salmon oil or evening primrose oil as previously mentioned.
Hi Ali,it may just be 'that time of year' ie moulting. Lottie's skin used to be very dusty in Spring. She is also on Arden Grange Chicken BUT has been on other foods too,it made no difference. What has transformed her is Kronch Salmon Oil, 2 pumps a day on her food. Her coat and skin are now fantastic and she hardly moults. It's definitely the oil as I missed a week when I was house sitting and she was dry again!
I think fish oil is also good for the joints and she has elbow OCD so it helps both problems.
I buy a big 2.5 litre bottle with a pump on the top from Ebay...it lasts absolutely ages.I can't remember the last time I had to buy it!
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and I don't mean for the dogs.. 
