Dull coat, what should we give him?

[Meghan Court]

I have noticed recently that bubba's coat has been pretty dull. He eats natural balance sweet potato and bison formula for his sensitive stomach and has been doing great on it. I'm guessing he needs fish oil or something of that sort. What would you recommend that won't upset his stomach? He gets groomed regularly and is shiny for a few days after but it doesn't last long. Thank you!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

For a dog with a sensitive stomach, you might try giving him a 500 mg evening primrose oil softgel (human supplement) once a day, and if he does well with that, you can increase it to 1000 mg a day. Don't puncture the capsules, give as you would a pill. Some dogs will just eat them with their food if you place it in the food bowl. Evening primrose oil should not be given to dogs with seizure disorders, as it may lower the seizure threshold. 

Human fish oil softgels can also be used, but some dogs do get diarrhea from fish oil. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Coconut oil--which is a solid at room temperature-- works for my dogs. And they love it--they just get 1/2  a teaspoon per day.

[Pat, Mary & Cooper]

I have asked a similar question in the grooming group, supplement for shiny coat...the info that was given to me might help you!

[Meghan Court]

Thank you guys for the advice!! Do you think coconut oil would upset his stomach? I do have some organic coconut oil at home that I'd be willing to try if it wouldn't be bad for his stomach.

[Wendy and Myla]

Meghan - just put "coconut oil" in the top right hand corner of this page (where it says "search DoodleKisses.com) and you will get a lot of good discussions regarding coconut oil and then you can make your own decision!  I personally have no idea how it would work, as I don't give it to Myla but the discussions are really good!

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

I give Loki a small spoonful of coconut oil and it's never bothered his stomach. I know this is kind of off subject but do an apple cider vinegar rinse on Loki- the same one I do for myself and that brightens up his coat a lot, I know this has nothing to do with diet but thought I would throw this out there, it helps with the de tangling and brushing too!

[Alisha T.]

We switched to RAW from Blue and while Blue was just fine I looked into going on a raw diet and I have noticed our little girl, Miniature Goldendoodle, hair getting more kinky curl where before it seemed kind of dry and "blown out" like after going to a groomer. As an aside her tear staining issue seems to have improved a bit.