Dry and flaky skin, huh? Sounds like something that shouldn’t be an issue… or maybe it should?
Recently, I received a message from a friend of a friend, Molly. She just got her German Shepherd puppy a few months ago. He’s a lovely boy of only 9 months. But, as Molly says, they encountered their first rock in the road.
Here’s Molly’s message:
“Hey there! Sorry for bothering you, but I have to ask someone before I get Bobo to his vet’s appointment. It’s scheduled in a week, and I can’t help but to Google his symptoms and worry.
Bobo started getting dry skin all over his head and near his tail. Also, his paws seem a bit dry, too, and I’ve noticed patches of flaky skin on his belly. He seems to be fine, eats, drinks, and plays, but he does scratch it a bit.
I’m trying my best to stop him, but I can’t tie him down.
Why is this happening? How can I help Bobo get back his luscious coat and elastic skin?”
Molly’s message made me wonder what could be wrong with Bobo. I thought of numerous reasons and messaged them back to Molly. I hope they will ease her mind.
For those of you who are having the same issue as Molly’s Bobo, here are the most common reasons why your GSD has dry and flaky skin, and how to deal with it.
1. Allergic Reaction
Canine allergies are nothing unusual. A lot of dog breeds suffer from them, including German Shepherds. In this case, allergies can occur as a reaction to some environmental change such as chemicals, pollen, grass, plants, etc.
But, the food your dog is consuming can also be a trigger for dry and flaky skin.
Solution
If you’re not sure what causes allergic reactions, you should exclude the most common factors like a change of food, exposure to pollen, grass, and so on.
However, I recommend you have your vet run a series of allergy tests like RAST or intradermal testing. Only then can you be 100% sure what causes allergies to your dog.
READ MORE: Dry, Flaky Skin On Dogs
2. Parasites
Not only do they cause dry skin, but parasitic infection can also be the reason behind your dog’s hair loss. Now, I don’t know if Bobo lost any of his hair, but he might, depending on the stage of the infection.
It’s not uncommon for dogs to catch different parasites like ticks, fleas, and mites. Since German Shepherds have a double, thick coat, it can be hard to spot such parasites at first. But, if you notice any redness, excessive scratching, dry skin, and hair loss… that’s a clear sign.
Solution
Luckily, parasites and the damage they produce can be treated by using topical and oral medication. Still, the most important thing is to identify the problem because not all parasites are completely harmless.
For example, mites come in different types, and some of them, like Demodex mites, can cause severe mange. |1|
3. Inappropriate Diet
The ideal feeding arrangement for a German Shepherd would be a combination of a raw diet and premium kibble. But, I’m aware that not everyone can provide only top-quality kibble.
I’m not saying Bobo isn’t eating well, but there might be something in his current kibble formula that doesn’t suit him.
Usually, dogs will exhibit changes like dry and flaky skin if their food contains too much carbohydrates. Ideally, a German Shepherd’s diet should have an abundance of real animal protein, fortified with fibers, healthy fats, and some carbs.
Solution
If you’re using some generic brand of dog food, or you’re giving your dog table scraps, stop it immediately. Gradually switch the formula with a better brand, and ask your vet for recommendations.
Whenever a dog is missing an important nutrient from his diet, he will show it through his coat. |2| A dog’s coat that has no shine, sheds too much, and has flaky skin underneath is clearly a cry for help to get a better meal.
4. Different Infections
We come to the nasty part… infections.
Of course, we don’t like them, but that doesn’t change the fact that infections are omnipresent in the canine kingdom. Dogs can catch them all: from yeast and fungal to bacterial infections.
Dry skin isn’t the only symptom. But, compared to others, it might be the least severe one. Other than skin flakiness, a dog suffering from infections will also exhibit itching, swelling, redness, etc.
Solution
I do not recommend you handle infections on your own. Your vet should take a scrape off your dog’s dry skin area and examine it. It could be nothing severe like a simple yeast infection, but it could also mean your dog has nasty pests like ringworms.
A treatment should be prescribed immediately, usually in the form of antifungal medicine and antibiotics.
5. Bad Grooming
Lastly, I want to shine light on something that I believe you, Molly, don’t do. But, sometimes a person can make a mistake and simply forget about it.
It’s grooming.
As you already know, German Shepherds require daily brushing because of their thick coat. A dog that doesn’t get brushed regularly will start losing hair, and eventually, the skin underneath will become dry and patchy.
Daily brushing will not only remove dead hair, but it will also distribute natural oils throughout the coat and give the skin its shine.
Of course, you can easily disturb the natural balance either by not grooming often or using harsh products for bathing, especially if you’re bathing your GSD too much.
Dogs with a thick coat don’t need frequent bathing. A couple of times a year is more than enough.
I see a lot of first-time owners using baby shampoos and so-called natural ingredients to wash their dogs. That’s absolutely wrong. Only use special dog shampoos. My recommendations go to those that have a soothing effect.
Solution
If the problem with flaky skin is because of poor grooming, the solution is simple and already mentioned throughout the text.
Brush your dog daily. Don’t skip a day because those 10 minutes really make a difference.
Use mild dog shampoos when bathing, and never bathe your dog too often. They’re not hoomans and they don’t need weekly bubble baths.
As simple as that.
If you follow these short rules, you’ll notice improvement in no time and zero flaky skin on your dog.
Conclusion
So, my dear Molly and all my readers, did you learn anything today? Do you have a clue as to what might be going on with your dog?
Of course, these are the most common reasons why your German Shepherd has dry and flaky skin. You should definitely consult your vet and have him run some tests to determine what’s wrong with your GSD.
There’s always a chance the dry skin could be a result of some systemic disorder. Better check it out in time!
Sources:
|1| R. Foley, P. Kelly, S. Gatault, F. Powell. Demodex: a skin resident in man and his best friend. (2020). DOI
|2| Tim D. G. Watson. Diet and Skin Disease in Dogs and Cats. (1998) DOI
