Symptoms

• The most common symptom of dry skin in dogs is excessive licking and scratching. Some dogs rub against furniture, walls and carpets to scratch themselves. Pet owners may notice white flakes or red spots, and some dogs start to lose patches of fur from scratching or from the condition causing the dry skin. Some dogs with dry skin scratch the same spots repeatedly, while others appear to itch everywhere.
  
  

Causes

• Dozens of environmental factors and medical conditions can contribute to dry skin on a dog. Often the only cause of dry skin is simply the changing of seasons. Heating a home can cause the air to dry out and affect a dog's skin. Bathing a dog too often can dry out the skin, especially if the dog is bathed with medicated shampoos. Bacterial and fungal infections, such as mange, ringworm and dermatitis, can lead to dry skin, itching, sores and hair loss. Flea infestations can cause "hot spots," dry, itchy patches of skin. Some dogs suffer from inflamed sebaceous glands, the glands below hair follicles that produce oils that moisturize the skin.
  
  

Treatment

• Running a humidifier when using heat in a home can help keep skin hydrated. Moisturizing shampoos made for dogs can also help moisturize dry skin, though dogs should not be bathed too often as this can dry out their skin further. Dogs that are fed high-quality food and provided with plenty of fresh water are less likely to develop dry skin. Supplementing a dog's diet with omega-6 fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, can help keep the skin moist and the coat glossy.
  Dogs with dry skin because of a medical condition usually require topical or oral medications to clear up the infection or problem. Dogs with mange and ringworm infections are often bathed in medicated "dips" and given oral medications to clear the infection. Antihistamines can help relieve itching due to dry skin. Corticosteroids are sometimes used to relieve severe itching and to help manage conditions such as inflamed sebaceous glands.
  
  

Effects

• Most dry skin treatments for dogs have very few side effects. Rarely, dogs experience allergic reactions to certain drugs, which can lead to rash, hives, difficulty breathing and other problems. Dogs who display negative symptoms after taking a medication or being bathed in a medicated shampoo should be examined by a veterinarian to rule out a potentially serious allergic reaction. Corticosteroids are usually reserved for short-term use. They can be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause undesirable side effects, such as gastrointestinal and urinary problems.
  
  

Prevention

• Giving dogs a monthly flea preventative and monitoring them for any signs of infection are some of the best ways to prevent dry skin. During the winter months, bathing a dog monthly in an oatmeal or moisturizing dog shampoo can help keep the skin hydrated. A healthy diet and a steady supply of fresh water helps keep dogs healthy and minimizes their risk of developing dry skin and other problems.