could it be her food? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

pepe mint · 10-31-2007, 06:18 AM

I have been feeding maggie "Natures Select" dog food. it is a great food, but I am wondering if she needs to be on something that is more specified for yorkies like Royal Canine or something? Her skin is really dry and itchy. She loves the food she is on. It is what we have always fed our other dogs and it has done great for them. But maybe she just needs something else??? I have heard about "missing link"....does that help with skin? I really hate to change her food so if there is something else I could be doing, I am open to suggestions. And if I need to change her food, I will. I hate how itchy she seems to be.

EmrldShdwQueen · 10-31-2007, 09:34 PM

DON'T feed Royal Canin...that's what mine were on and Maddie had the AWFUL dry skin and she scratched constantly. I read up on the food and found out that's a pretty common problem w/ that particular brand. So I've been experimenting with new foods for the last few weeks.

I've had really good luck with both Merrick and Canidae...not so much with CSFTDLS...they don't seem to like the taste. They LOVE the Merrick canned food too...and it seems to be an excellent food. Maddie's dry skin has already cleared up in 3 weeks...just since I stopped feeding the RC...

MyFairLacy · 10-31-2007, 10:06 PM

Even if it's a great food, sometimes what works for one dog won't work as well for the other. You might want to try adding fish oil and vitamin E to her diet. I recently did that with Lacy and her hair actually seems to be growing slightly faster. It would be good for her skin too. I use Eicosaderm by Dermapet because it already has the correct ratios of omegas and vitamin E. I think you have to get it through a vet's office. Dermapet's website is www.dermapet.com You could try a supplement first for a couple months and see if that helps. Otherwise you might want to try a different food.

yorkiesmiles · 11-01-2007, 04:35 AM

Missing Link - which is just a powdered supplement, you sprinkle a small amt on their food - I think it's 1/4 tsp I use on Bubba & Roxie's food. I didn't bring it when they came to your house - because I hate to ask someone else to mess with one more thing, and it has to be refrigerated after you open it.

It has made a difference in their coat.

Testing new foods is so tricky -- I have been doing so lately. I wrote a bunch of companies for free samples, I really got a great reply from most, but trying to monitor the results is tricky with only a few days worth of food.

You haven't changed anything else lately have you? Like shampoo or even cleaners in your house that she is reacting too??

lara2913 · 11-01-2007, 05:18 AM

Could be her food, but if the food suits her in all other ways then you might want to try adding something like salmon oil and vitamin e or missing link first. If that doesen't work then you could consider changing her food.

LoveMyJake · 11-01-2007, 04:20 PM

I would give the Missing Link a try. I've been using it for quite awhile now, and it does make a difference in their coat.

10-31-2007, 06:18 AM	#1
pepe mint YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Franklin, TN Posts: 11,145	could it be her food? I have been feeding maggie "Natures Select" dog food. it is a great food, but I am wondering if she needs to be on something that is more specified for yorkies like Royal Canine or something? Her skin is really dry and itchy. She loves the food she is on. It is what we have always fed our other dogs and it has done great for them. But maybe she just needs something else??? I have heard about "missing link"....does that help with skin? I really hate to change her food so if there is something else I could be doing, I am open to suggestions. And if I need to change her food, I will. I hate how itchy she seems to be. __________________ Anyone who does not know what soap tastes like has never washed a dog

10-31-2007, 10:06 PM	#3
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	Even if it's a great food, sometimes what works for one dog won't work as well for the other. You might want to try adding fish oil and vitamin E to her diet. I recently did that with Lacy and her hair actually seems to be growing slightly faster. It would be good for her skin too. I use Eicosaderm by Dermapet because it already has the correct ratios of omegas and vitamin E. I think you have to get it through a vet's office. Dermapet's website is www.dermapet.com You could try a supplement first for a couple months and see if that helps. Otherwise you might want to try a different food. __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.

11-01-2007, 04:35 AM	#4
yorkiesmiles Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,493	Missing Link - which is just a powdered supplement, you sprinkle a small amt on their food - I think it's 1/4 tsp I use on Bubba & Roxie's food. I didn't bring it when they came to your house - because I hate to ask someone else to mess with one more thing, and it has to be refrigerated after you open it. It has made a difference in their coat. Testing new foods is so tricky -- I have been doing so lately. I wrote a bunch of companies for free samples, I really got a great reply from most, but trying to monitor the results is tricky with only a few days worth of food. You haven't changed anything else lately have you? Like shampoo or even cleaners in your house that she is reacting too?? __________________ yorkiesmiles Loved by Bubba & Roxy *Holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come*

11-01-2007, 05:18 AM	#5
lara2913 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,920	Could be her food, but if the food suits her in all other ways then you might want to try adding something like salmon oil and vitamin e or missing link first. If that doesen't work then you could consider changing her food. __________________ Indy, Benjamin and Malachi There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face- Ben Williams

11-01-2007, 04:20 PM	#6
LoveMyJake I love Jackson too! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,905	I would give the Missing Link a try. I've been using it for quite awhile now, and it does make a difference in their coat. __________________ Selina, mommy to Jake and Jackson. RIP baby Lily Coming soon: Gracie

10-31-2007, 09:34 PM	#2
EmrldShdwQueen No Longer a Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,987	DON'T feed Royal Canin...that's what mine were on and Maddie had the AWFUL dry skin and she scratched constantly. I read up on the food and found out that's a pretty common problem w/ that particular brand. So I've been experimenting with new foods for the last few weeks. I've had really good luck with both Merrick and Canidae...not so much with CSFTDLS...they don't seem to like the taste. They LOVE the Merrick canned food too...and it seems to be an excellent food. Maddie's dry skin has already cleared up in 3 weeks...just since I stopped feeding the RC...