dandruff

Question
I have a staffy puppy 12 weeks old, she is healthy in every way apart from her dry skin, it looks slightly dry on her tummy but also when brushing her coat small amounts of flakey skin appears on the surface of her coat. Is there any thing i can do? Also she is flea clear i check her daily!

Answer
Dry skin and dandruff can be due to many reasons. It could be dietary, shampooing too much (or not enough), thyroid issues, or parasites, such as Cheyletiellosis (dander mites or walking dandruff).

Be sure your puppy is on a good-quality diet such as Eagle, Wellness, Canidae, or Solid Gold (there are many great diets out there now). The first ingredient should be a specified meat protein (preferably a meat meal which has the water removed), there should be a minimum of grains and NO by-products, and no menadione bisulfate complex (source of vitamin K) in the food.
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=menadione  Some would say to add a bit of fish oil to her diet, but if a quality food is being fed, I don't think that is necessary.

If the dog is scratching, it could be dander mites. Most dogs itch like crazy with this, but not all. http://www.petplace.com/dogs/cheyletiellosis-in-dogs-walking-dandruff-mite/page1...

The puppy should be bathed every few weeks, but be sure that the shampoo is thoroughly rinsed out. When you think you are done, rinse again. Brush her with a flat bristle brush or a hound glove regularly to keep her coat shiny and her skin healthy.