Great Dane Dry Skin- a topic that many people struggle with. The winter months can be harsh on our skin, and the same is true for our Great Danes and other dogs. In this blog post, we will discuss how to keep your Great Dane healthy, reduce itchy skin, and help treat skin problems such as yeast or extreme or secondary skin infections.
The cold weather can cause dryness, cracking, and even infection if not treated properly. Likewise, some dog breeds struggle with secondary infections in the summer for alternative reasons. Keep reading for tips on how to protect your dog from the elements!
Great Dane Dry Skin: Common Signs of Normal Skin vs. One with Health Concerns
It’s easy to tell when our dog is having a bad day. They might be a little off their food, have less energy or be grumpy. However, it’s not always so easy to tell when our dog is having a skin concern. That’s why it’s important to know the signs of normal, well adjusted skin vs. one with health concerns in dogs.
What does healthy skin look like in Great Danes?
Some common things to look for in normal skin include a thick coat, no hair loss, a shiny coat and overall good health. In a healthy dog, their coat will not experience hair loss. Your Gentle Giant will have thick and clear of any skin infection.
What does unhealthy skin look like in Great Danes?
On the other hand, some signs of coat and skin health concerns include excessive shedding, bald spots, dry or flaky skin and clinical signs of allergies. You may notice that your Great Dane has scaly patches. If they experience hair loss, they might have trouble when trying to regrow hair.
Speak to your veterinarian for treatment
If you notice any of these signs in your dog, it’s important to take them to see a veterinarian for advice. You can also treat some of these issues at home. Some Great Dane skin ailments are easily treated at home, but some will be more difficult and can get worse if left untreated.
Causes of Skin Diseases in Your Great Dane
Skin issues in Great Danes can be caused by a number of factors, including infections from bacteria, diseases, secondary infections, and skin conditions.
One: Bacterial Infections and How they Impact Your Great Dane
Bacterial infections are one of the most common cause of skin ailments in Great Danes. Great Danes typically get an infection from bacteria from dirty water or something else that was contaminated.
What happens if my dog has a skin infection from bacteria?
Your Great Dane may require hospitalization and IV fluids to combat infections. Blood tests are used for monitoring the success and overall health of your Great Dane. The methods in which your vet chooses to treat your Great Dane’s skin can include antibiotics or other medications prescribed.
The treatment itself will depend on the bacteria in question. If the bacteria is not harmful it can still weaken your Great Dane’s immune systems so they get sicker than usual when infected – this means there will be more signs like vomiting etc. Typically, at least one major symptom might appear alongside the dogs issue, which is diarrhea.
What issues do skin infections cause when caused by bacteria?
Secondary infections can also develop from the bacteria that cause the initial infection. Skin conditions, such as dryness, itchiness, redness or infections, can also lead to the development of more chronic problems. The best way to prevent conditions in Great Danes is to keep their skin clean after playing in dirty water, and free of any irritants or contaminants.
Two: Food Allergies in Great Danes Can Cause Infection
Food allergies are one of the most common skin problems in Great Danes. The symptoms of food allergies can include irritation, hair loss, dry coat, and hot spots. While many people assume that food allergies are caused by an intolerance to certain ingredients, the reality is that food allergies are often caused by an imbalance of nutrients.
‘True’ Great Dane Food \ Allergies
Does Your Great Dane Lack Important Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids?
Alternatively, if you think your Great Dane lacks nutrients, you will want to add supplements to their diet. A lack of omega-3 fatty acids can lead to dry area and inflammation. As a result, it’s important to choose a food that is rich in nutrients and fatty acids and free from allergens. When it comes to Great Dane’s skin care, essential fatty acids and fish oil is essential for maintaining a healthy coat. These nutrients help to protect the hair follicles from damage and keep them hydrated. In addition, fatty acids from fish oil help to reduce inflammation and promote a healthy coat on your dog, preventing further hair loss or irritation.
Medicated Shampoo for Grass Allergy
If you notice allergies and hair loss on your Great Dane, and think it is due to a grass allergy, you can use a medicated shampoo to help sooth the irritation. Quite a lot of dogs are allergic to grass. Therefore, if your Great Dane gets hot spots from playing in the grass, you can use a shampoo that has specific medication for hair loss.
Note: Many veterinarians suggest not using essential oils or tea tree oil on your dog. Instead, try a shampoo based in aloe vera or oatmeal as it is much safer for dogs.
Three: Yeast Issues in Dogs are a Huge Issue
For dog owners, there are few things more frustrating than dealing with a yeast infection. Not only are they highly contagious, but they can also be extremely difficult to get rid of. You will want to do a skin scraping procedure of your Great Dane. Otherwise, it can be difficult to know if you are actually dealing with yeast.
Treatment Options for a Dog with Yeast
The good news is that there are a number of treatment options available. Medicated shampoos and topical creams can help to kill the yeast on your Great Dane and prevent further growth.
Supplements for Yeast on Dogs
Additionally, supplements and homeopathic remedies can be used to support the immune system and promote healing. In some extreme cases, such as Demodex mange, treatment may need to be continued for several months in order to completely eliminate the infection. However, with patience and persistence, most dogs can be successfully treated for yeast infections.
Diet for Yeast in Dogs
Finally, diet plays a key role in preventing and treating yeast infections. Dogs with yeast infections should be fed a diet that is low in sugar and carbohydrates. In addition, probiotics can help to restore the natural balance of good bacteria in the gut, which can help to prevent yeast overgrowth. Choose a food that works in correspondence to battle their yeast, even if it is just temporary.
Four: Your Great Dane’s Immune System Could Create Health Problems
As a pet owner, you may be concerned about your dog’s ability to fight off common issues. After all, a strong defense mechanism is essential for good health.
Does your Great Dane have a Low Immune System?
Unfortunately, some dogs are born with a low immune system, which can lead to health problems later in life. Great Danes are meant to be working dogs with strong survival skills. However, backyard breeding and poor breeding overall has increased the chances for your Great Dane to struggle with common ailments.
What Should Be Done to Give Your Great Dane the Ability to Fight off Illness?
There are steps you can take to help your dog build a strong and functioning body that can fight off health issues.
- For example, amino acids and vitamin E are essential for a healthy and functioning system.
- You can also provide your dog with a high-quality food / diet and plenty of exercise.
- Make sure to provide fresh, clean water.
- Avoid putting your Great Dane in extremely stressful situations that might give them anxiety. (If you are going to be working with them on overcoming that stressful situation, be sure to prepare them ahead of time with the tools they need to overcome them. Great Danes should NOT be an anxious dog breed, but many are being overly bred and have become more anxious compared to other dog breeds. Check out our puppy socialization guide here.
- Mental stimulation will keep your Great Dane engaged and happy and help to avoid mental dullness or them getting bored.
- Encourage your Great Dane to play regularly, socialize them with good peers, and
By taking these steps, you can help help your dog’s immune system get stronger and give them a better chance at keeping dry or itchy problems at bay as well as fighting off any infection.
Four: Weather Plays a Role on Your Great Dane and their Hair
Your Great Dane’s hair is is very dependent on the weather. It’s important to understand that hair is not just for looks, but it also serves an important function in regulating body temperature. However, hair can also be susceptible to specific problems depending on the weather.
How does Summer Impact Skin Allergies and Hair?
For example, too much sun can cause dryness and irritation as well as sunburn. If you have a white or Harlequin Great Dane, you will need to use a dog-friendly sunscreen to avoid sunburn. Specifically the head of white dogs is very prone to being sunburned.
If you have a black dane, blue dane, or merle dane, they are less prone to being sunburned, however can still experience dry skin and skin allergies in the summer.
Does the Winter Months Affect a Great Dane and Make them More Dry?
In the winter or spring months, it’s important to keep your dog’s hair dry to avoid yeast infections. Because moisture getting stuck in their hair can harbor yeast, be sure to dry them thoroughly after playing in the snow or rain.
What are the best remedies for a large breed dog with skin allergies?
There are a few things you can do to help your Great Dane with dry or irritable itches including regular grooming care, supplements, pain management, and
One: Regularly Grooming your Great Dane will Help
Keeping up with brushing your Great Dane’s skin and coat, keeping moisture and reducing shedding will help them feel less itchy and irritable. Regularly groom your dog and bathe them in warm water using a mild, hypoallergenic shampoo.
Be Careful with their Head and Ears: a Yeast Warning
When you are bathing them, make sure to take extra care with their head, as to avoid excessive water getting into their ears. Lingering water in their ears can cause yeast to grow inside of their ears. Great Danes have short hair and should be brushed with an appropriate brush. This will help to remove any allergens that might be stuck in their fur.
Two: Provide Supplements that are Suitable for your Large Breed Dog
Puppies require a different diet than adult Danes. We will share some of our favorite puppy foods below.
Lastly, speak to a veterinarian whom you trust about medications that are helpful for your dog and those that might not be. For us, we have seen many stories of tick prevention medications that pet owners give their dogs for fleas and ticks causing issues with giant breed dogs. There are enough warnings / stories to at least be weary.
Three: Sooth your Dane’s Irritation with At-Home Remedies
If your dog is having pain, irritation or itching from an abundance of reasons, there are things you can do at home to help sooth their pain. Be sure to watch the below video for some wonderful suggestions.
Aloe, Coconut Oil, and other Products for Shiny Skin and Coat
Knowing products that are helpful is important. You will learn them as you go and as you experience unique and different issues with your pup. Here are a few helpful ones we have seen work with other dogs.
Aloe Vera
Aloe can be a great topical to keep on hand for your dog if they are itching, irritated or inflammed. You can either grow your own aloe or buy it at the store. Use aloe by breaking off a leaf and applying the gel directly to your dog’s body where you notice the most redness or irritation. You can also add aloe to their shampoo or make an aloe spray by adding water and spraying it on their coat.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has become increasingly popular in recent years for humans and animals alike. It can be used to sooth and moisturize dry and itchy bodies, hot spots, minor wounds and more. You only need a small amount since coconut oil goes a long way. Coconut oil can also be ingested safely- so giving your pup a small amount daily can help as it has anti inflammatory properties.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Another great at home remedy is apple cider vinegar. This can be used in a spray bottle or added to your dog’s bath water. It helps with hot spots, itchy skin, and bug bites.
One thing to keep in mind is that you should always test a small patch of skin before applying any new product to your dog’s body.
Ear Issues
If your Great Dane is experiencing redness, irritation, pain or itching in their ears, do not hesitate to use the product called Xymox. It is a ‘God-send’ for Great Dane owners, providing immediate soothing relief and long-lasting results inside the ears.
Xymox is our absolute FAVORITE cleanser if your Great Dane has yeast or inflammation in its ears.
Hot Spot Relief
A hot spot is an area of your dog’s body that is red, inflamed and painful. They can be caused by allergies, insect bites, poor grooming, and more.
If your dog has a hot spot, you will want to monitor it closely. If it begins to ooze yellow or green, you need to get to the vet right away as they can become infected very easily. In the meantime, you can sooth the area with a cool compress or a topical at-home remedy to help the area become back to normal.
Colloidal Oatmeal Baths
One way to sooth your dog from itching or dryness is by giving them a colloidal oatmeal bath. You can purchase pre-made mixes or make your own by grinding oats into a powder. Next, you will use colloidal silver, being cautious of which brand you choose. Add the powder of oatmeal and a small amount of the colloidal silver to lukewarm water and let your dog soak for about 15 minutes.
Yeast Relief
If you have a Great Dane with yeasty issues, consider making a few changes to their routine.
- You must ensure that they remain dry. If they play in water, they need to be thoroughly dried.
- Consider using the Yeasty Beasty Protocol from Adored Beast. (DEARDANES15 for 15% off)
- Consider examining their dog food. Many yeast allergens stem from food allergies, specifically grains. Eliminating grains temporarily can help to starve the yeast.
- Don’t forget to clean their bedding and crates often. Bacteria and yeast can live in fabric and spread easily.
- Wash all of their toys, leashes, and collars in hot water frequently as well.
Four: Consider an Elimination Diet
If you’ve tried everything and your Dane is still struggling with dryness and itchiness- it may be time to consider an elimination diet.
An elimination diet is when you remove all potential allergens from their diet and then slowly reintroduce them one at a time. This allows you to pinpoint which ingredient is causing the issue.
You will want to work with your vet to make sure you are doing this correctly and safely. They can help you to figure out which food is best to use as your base diet and how to slowly add things back in.
Elimination diets can be time-consuming, but they are often worth it in the end.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many things you can do to help sooth your Great Dane’s dry and itchy body. Try a few of these at-home remedies and see which works best for your pup. If you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to be working, speak with your vet about other options that might be more intensive.
Dryness, irritation, redness and inflammation can be frustrating for both you and your dog, but with a little trial and error- you’ll find something that works!
Do you have any tips for helping Great Dane experiencing dryness or irritation? Share them in the comments below!
