Royal Canin Yorkie Puppy

[Fancysmommy]

I recently started my 6 month old Fancy on Royal Canin Yorkie Puppy food (she had been on RC mini puppy) because I wanted the "extra" things in there for her coat and skin. She scratches, not terribly but she does scratch and does not have fleas. So I thought this might help her skin and coat (her fur is kind of cottony-soft but somewhat dull). But her breath stinks now! Has anyone else experienced this? I know she's cutting two molars so I'm not sure if it's that or the food. We just moved to a new state, so I can't get her an appt with her new vet until next week, so I'm just curious as to what all you lovely Yorkie mommy's think. Thank you!

[Britster]

Most likely the baby teeth... Jackson had rank breath when his baby teeth were still coming out and he had a double row of teeth. Four baby teeth had to be removed during his neuter!

I hear complaints of itchiness somewhat frequently on RC.

[Yorkiemom1]

I have never had this issue...I feed RC from cradle to grave, for 25+ years, and never had any issues with itching, etc. Every dog is different, and I am sure there are some out there that may have an allergy to something in the RC.... I have had several new owners switch because it was hard to get where they lived, and one admitted it was too expensive for her (???!!!)but that is it.....You say you switched her to the RC BECAUSE of the itching....I do think it will help her skin....for the cottony coat, maybe add some Vitamin E ( I use SuperOmega Fish Oil by Dinovite, plus a treat of canned salmon couple of times a week, but cottony coats are challenging to say the least!) I think coat conditioners help with cotton coats.....

[Nancy1999]

Food allergies are very uncommon the first year, so my guess her itchiness might be environmentally related. How much is she itching, several times a day, or more? The bad breath is definitely from teething!

[citygirl123]

I have used RC for the past 2 1/2 years. The breeder was using the puppy formula when I brought Copper home. We have since moved on to the adult formula. No problems.

Breath is most likely the teeth, although dogs do have stinky breath occasionally.

[Fancysmommy]

Thank you, all for your replies! She is itching a few times a day. At first I thought she was scratching at her harness but then I noticed she does it even when she isn't wearing it. I switched her to the Yorkie RC formula from the regular puppy RC formula; I thought it was neat that they make it just for our babies and I had hoped it would help her be shinier. She always looks shiny when she comes home from grooming, so maybe I'll call her and ask her what she was using. I have seen the salmon oil in the pet store but I will try the vitamin E and the canned salmon. I know this sounds stupid but I don't eat fish and have no idea-are there different kinds of canned? Is one brand better? What about bones? I know I have a lot of questions and I really appreciate everyone trying to help. I won't worry too much about her breath-I was just surprised because she never really had "puppy breath" and she jumped in my lap one day and I was like "WOW!"

[citygirl123]

Itching...hmmm, ask your vet? I would think that was more external than internal. Shampoo? fleas? Mites? Skin condition?

[Yorkiemom1]

The canned salmon had bones init but they are VERY soft and are also a WONDERFUL source of calcium for the baby..you can mash them up with your fingers or just let her eat them with the salmon serving you give her. Some of the show people on here can REALLY tell you what to use on her coat to make it shine!! You can ask your groomer...dont know if she will share her secret...that is her "money maker"!!!! I used Mink Oil on mine when I had them in long coats....but that has been awhile....You can get the least expensive brand of canned salmon.....DO NOT GET BONELESS/ SKINLESS!!! That is the good stuff for the baby!!! 6 months old, just give her 1/4 cup 2x/week...

[Fancysmommy]

Originally Posted by citygirl123

Itching...hmmm, ask your vet? I would think that was more external than internal. Shampoo? fleas? Mites? Skin condition?

She's going to the vet next week; we just moved, so I am establishing a new relationship with a new recommended vet. She just received her treatment of Frontline, and I've checked her over very well, so it isn't fleas. But it certainly could be something else, or just dry skin. I'm pretty excited to get her to this new vet...but in the meantime, I DID get her a can of salmon and I can't wait to see how much she loves it!

[Fancysmommy]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

The canned salmon had bones init but they are VERY soft and are also a WONDERFUL source of calcium for the baby..you can mash them up with your fingers or just let her eat them with the salmon serving you give her. Some of the show people on here can REALLY tell you what to use on her coat to make it shine!! You can ask your groomer...dont know if she will share her secret...that is her "money maker"!!!! I used Mink Oil on mine when I had them in long coats....but that has been awhile....You can get the least expensive brand of canned salmon.....DO NOT GET BONELESS/ SKINLESS!!! That is the good stuff for the baby!!! 6 months old, just give her 1/4 cup 2x/week...

Thank you! Is the boneless/skinless bad for her, or just not as nutritionally sound? I was at the store earlier (before I was able to read your reply) and I picked her up a can of the boneless/skinless...I can certainly exchange it tomorrow, though.

[Fancysmommy]

One MORE question-do I mix the salmon with her food or just by itself?

[Nancy1999]

Joey's breeder told me that the number one mistake new owners make was not rinsing enough! She said that when I thought I was all done rinsing, set the timer and rinse 2 minutes more! If all the shampoo isn't taken out, the skin can become overly dry, and cause itchiness. Also, she recommended Bio-groom shampoo and cream rinse; you can get free samples if you email the Bio-groom company. Bio-Groom - Exceptional Pet Care Products for Over 30 Years

[tokipoki]

Originally Posted by Fancysmommy

Thank you! Is the boneless/skinless bad for her, or just not as nutritionally sound? I was at the store earlier (before I was able to read your reply) and I picked her up a can of the boneless/skinless...I can certainly exchange it tomorrow, though.

The boneless/skinless is fine but you're missing out on some of the good stuff in the fish bones and skin that are good for your pup. Maybe just the next can you buy, you can just get the regular.

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Food allergies are very uncommon the first year, so my guess her itchiness might be environmentally related. How much is she itching, several times a day, or more? The bad breath is definitely from teething!

Definitely from teething!

Nancy and I have both eaten and thoroughly enjoyed Royal Canin....and our breath is as sweet as anything..... !!! Sally x

[yorkietalkjilly]

I had Tibbe on Royal Canin GI for a short while when he was recently ill and almost from the first he scratched his flanks. It was almost certainly directly related to the RC as when I stopped it, he stopped scratching his flanks. He's never had a flea and all the vets he saw as well as myself examined him several times during his illness for fleas as a possible cause of the scratching, though all the vets said it probably was the RC. They said most dogs do fine on it but others, like with any food, can have a bit of an allergic type reaction to one or more ingredient. He's now on Hill's and no scratching whatsoever.