Instructions
Brush the puppy once a day with a soft curry brush for long-haired puppies or a soft bristled brush for short-haired puppies. This helps to distribute the natural oils in the puppy's coat and also helps circulation.
Set up a humidifier in the puppy's primary area. This will help control the puppy's itchiness and general comfort level by increasing the moisture content of the air.
Bathe the puppy appropriately. The frequency of bathing depends on the breed of dog and length of coat. You may want to consult with a veterinarian to set up a bathing schedule. Use a shampoo formulated for canine dry skin containing hydrolyzed oak proteins, vitamins A and E and humectants. Apply a conditioner containing vitamin E, hydrolyzed oat proteins, chamomile and natural oils like safflower and sunflower seed.
Feed the puppy a puppy food promoting coat health. If recommended by the veterinarian, you may also supplement the puppy's diet with essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
How to Improve Dry Skin on a Puppy
Puppies suffer from dry skin because of a lot of the same reasons humans do -- allergies, dry indoor heat or poor nutrition. Puppy dry skin creates more dander and more "puppy" smell due to the shedding of dry skin flakes. Puppies have underactive sebaceous glands and tend to have more sensitive skin than dogs. Mild flaking around the neck, back, and rump along with mild itching is typical of puppy dandruff. Management of symptoms includes monitoring the environment (dry air), hygiene (brushing and bathing) and nutrition.