Help...dry skin and hair solutions????
 

I made the mistake of cutting Pippa's puppy hair cause she looked like such a ragmuffin. Besides the fact that I totally butchered her hair what is left is really dry thin hair plus her skin looks dry as well (some flakes). I should add, her puppy hair was the opposite, very greasy looking. I wish I had just left her alone and once I realized it looked worse than the puppy hair, I left her head alone so now she looks like a lion! So mad at myself!! Anyways, does anyone know if this dry, I'm assuming adult hair, is normal or should I be giving her something to help? If so what? Thanks and I swear I will NEVER attempt to cut her hair again! Live and learn!

Don't feel bad. I made the mistake of letting a mobile groomer cut Tobys hair about 3 or 4 months ago and his hair has never been the same since. I am having the same problem with the dry skin. My vet suggested I switch to a grain free food so I did that now I am just waiting to see if that makes a difference. He has dandruff like flakes when you run your fingers through his hair, and he is still uneven. I wish I could turn back the hands of time and never of cut his puppy hair, but like you said we live and we learn.

The secret is to rinse, and rinse, and rinse again. Then we mix a small amount of white vinegar in a glass of water rinse with that , rinse again with plain water, then condition and rinse again lol. Never have dry skin and beautiful shiny coats. Good luck :). oh also don't shampoo more than once a week.

Omega 3's are great for skin and hair. Some brands of food already have them in it or you can get a supplement. It is also important to rinse really really well when bathing. Leftover shampoo or conditioner can leave flakes. I bought a Rinse Ace for sinks at PetCo and I love it. We get done so much more quickly now. It has 3 speeds for rinsing. (I think they are on sale on line right now at PetCo.)

I would also make sure the shampoo is sulfate free. All natural or organic products tend not to strip the skin of the natural oils they need to maintain a healthy coat. I have been using Yorkie Splash shampoo and Shine conditioner on Gracie and have been happy with the results but there are other good ones out there also. Traditional shampoos and conditioners are just too strong to use on a regular basis. You will end up with a coat that looks fried or fly away.

Some of the all natural or organic shampoos and conditioners do not lather as much as the kind with sulfates but that is because they don't use the harsh additives that create all those bubbles. You just want to make sure the product gets down to skin level and massage it into the hair and skin. Bubbles do not necessarily = clean. I always do 2 washes and then condition. We end up with a full, shiny coat that stays nice and not stringy for at least a week. She gets a weekly bath anyway.

The first shampoo and conditioner I bought for her I did not check out closely enough. It advertized as having all natural ingredients. Well, it did have some all natural ingredients but it also had sulfates and harsh chemicals. You really have to watch these days. There are so many ways they can mislead you with the label. Anyway, I was not liking the results I had with it and finally sat down and read the small print. Your baby's hair will grow back. At least you didn't do the head. That always seems to take so long to grow when you want it to.

Thanks everyone! With the white vinegar how much should I use, like a teaspoon?

Thanks Gracielove, I just ordered on line the yorkie splash and shine shampoo and conditioner. Should get it in a week or so.

I put 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to a glass of water.

Thanks Charlene, I will try the vinegar trick today!