Hair thinning on mini schnauzer/scratching and nibbling of skin

I have a mini schnauzer and she is 6 yrs. old. I have had lots of skin problems with her. I have changed her food to Royal Canin which is apparently one of the best dog foods....
She is and has been losing her coat.....(thinning to the point where you can see her skin in parts) I have also noticed that her fur has changed color (face white instead of grey and white).
She scratches and nibbles up and down her legs and other parts of her body. I've taken her to the vet on numerous occasions and he gave her steriods. Todate, she is not on any prescriptions.

She is a very special little girl in my life and she looks at me with those big eyes and is asking for comfort....I hope you can help me.

Thank you, Sue

Comments for Hair thinning on mini schnauzer/scratching and nibbling of skin

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 20, 2018
Rating

Raw feed to heal the pups of all ages and most things
by: Anie

I totally agree with how raw food helps your pup thrive, not just survive. Even slightly cooking the food is good, but not the bones. Check out Dr Pitcairn and Dr Dobias on-line for more information.

Oct 20, 2017
Rating

There is help!!!
by: Anonymous

l have had 2 mini's & 2 giants.
l am a firm believer of raw dog food.They are healthier, no itching, or nibbling of skin.Mentally, clearer , more focused!
Steroids are not the way to go---that will kill your baby, and only make her unhealthier. That method is a band aid approach---vets luv it=$$$
for them. Kibble was invented for convience, not for health. How can there be anything natural, or health in something that the FDA has such loose terms for Eg. Orangic listed on kibble means that the manufacture only has to put 5% Organic matter--does not have to be meat. After cooking all these terrible ingredients at high temps--which completely destroys anything all the nutrients u feed this garbage to your pets. l have had many friends who started out feeding kibble to their pet---when they started having problems they asked me why my boys were so health and disease free. l explained that raw is natural for your pet it is full of vitamins, moisture---everything your furry friends need. l guarantee your baby will make a remarkable recovery just by changing her diet remember we are what we eat!!! She will drink less water, because raw has so much moisture. Her BM's will be sooo much smaller --shows you that the body is using all the nutrients in the food.
Good Luck--you will be amazed --in several weeks u will start to see the change!!

Aug 26, 2017
Rating

schnauzer hair loss
by: Anonymous

DJ is about 11, has chronic pancreatitis, diabetis, and he is now getting patches of bald spots on his back and side. the hair can easily be pulled out and has a scaly patch attatched. he has been tested for cushings and was negative. last weekend he had a terrible case of hives, was successfully treated for an allergic reaction, but dont know cause. could this hairloss be associated to allergy to something? he has never had this problem before. he is not scratching or seem uncomfortable....
NOTE FROM LINDA AND MAX: sorry to hear of DJ's issues. We are not medical experts, but a sudden outbreak of hives with no scratching is not likely to be allergies, in our experience, as the symptoms are different. It is more likely to be associated with his other medical issues. Good luck to DJ.

May 07, 2017
Rating

POOR GIZMO
by: Kathleen

My toy/mini schnauzer Gizmo is almost 3 yrs old. He has been having a itching, licking, nibbling, hair thinning problems. I'm feeling so bad for him. I have been feeding him the same food that the breeder has been feeding their dogs/puppies. He doesn't get table food. He was getting 1 to 3 mini carrots for a snack each day. I have now changed his food to Purina Pro plan, where the first ingredient is beef. Now he's only been on it for 1 week. Right now, I don't feel it's working on his condition. What can I do? I've even tried giving a allergy pill.
I don't know if I can give him that every day. Help me please.

NOTE FROM LINDA AND MAX: It sounds like allergies or Cushings Disease -either way, you need to see a vet. If it's allergies nearly all dogs can be successfully treated (including our Max) by a daily dose of APOQUEL. Ask your vet specifically for this if it it allergies. Good luck, Gizmo.

Apr 15, 2017
Rating

Dry dog food
by: Anonymous

After 2 years trying many different dog food I decided to give up and cook for my dog. Boiled rice, coocked turkey or beef mince or white fish, fresh vegetables, added calcium and other supplements...no more biting of the feet or scratching:-)

Feb 20, 2017
Rating

Gabby
by: Paulette

I have a mini schnauzer she has lost a lot of weight , couple months ago . Since then doing much better
Eats good drinks lot , not gaining and hair thinning out , any suggestion
NOTE FROM LINDA AND MAX: Get her checked out by a vet, it could be Cushing's Disease. Fingers crossed it isn't. Good luck.

Jan 19, 2013
Rating

Itching Schnauzer
by: Lee

Our mini schnauzer Margot, scratches and licks behinds her front legs and the inside of her thighs. We have tried elimination diet, homemade food, practically every high end food, hot spot sprays, special shampoos, new-vet supplements, fish oil, olive oil and prednisone.

Our vet has now prescribe Atopica. She received one 25 mg capsule for three weeks every day and then every other for the last 6 weeks. It cut her scratching by about 50%. Her coat grew back around her "armpits" and looked much better. Now she is scratching again with a fury and we back where we started! Has anyone experienced similar, incessant allergy driven discomfort in their Schnauzers?

NOTE FROM LINDA AND MAX:

Hi, read our section on Schnauzer skin:
http://www.max-the-schnauzer.com/schnauzer-skin.html or look at the FAQs for suggestions.
Max was on Atopica and it worked well for a while, then he started itching again. Now, every spring he goes on to Piriton tablets.

Jul 22, 2012
Rating

schnauzer dry skin; scratching problem solved
by: amiga980

I have a schnauzer and two yorkies. My female yorkie has had the same skin/scratching/nibbling problem for years. One day recently I was in Petsmart and talking to the man who does the dog training classes. I know him and we were just yakking "dogs".
I had my female yorkie and mentioned her problem to him. His suggestion was a liquid product by Nutri-Vet called Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil. I squirt it one time on her food one time daily. Her skin and coat has completely reversed itself to being healthy again in about 5-6 weeks. She hasn't been scratching; the skin is way less dry; the coat is shiny again and the natural oils are back.
What a blessing!

Mar 02, 2011
Rating

Skin problems
by: Anonymous

My dog has the same problem she is 6 yrs. old and I've been to the vet lots of time. Apparently, its allegies. (1) As a suggestion, use earthbath for shampooing, its totally natural pet shampoo and take that w. u when getting him/her groomed. (2) use Fish Oil in their meal. directions on back of bottle, and (3) I've changed the dog food to Nature's Recipe NO GRANE in diet. Also, one flea can be a great problem especially if they already have skin issues. Good Luck!

Feb 18, 2010
Rating

Thining...
by: Elizabeth

After re-thinking this situation, I wanted to add that a friend of mine had a white schnauzer that had terrible allergies and had to take meds for it. She also lost hair and scratched. Maybe find out if it is something more specific (allergy) to get treatment. Just a thought.

Feb 18, 2010
Rating

Hair Thining...
by: Elizabeth

Hi,
Just my own personal experience. "Skippy" did this, occasionally, but was'nt anything drastic. His thing was "hot spots" which he'd get in the warmer months, (there is an oil for this that you simply put on the spots). Schnauzers are prone to these spots our Vet said. The thining sounds like the food(?) I would at least check in w/t your Vet and maybe get the dog fully checked out. Maybe the dog simply is'nt getting the right (or enough) nutrients, as humans will do if they don't get the right amt. I wish you well.

Dec 07, 2009
Rating

Try all natural
by: K.S.

Have 2 schnauzers, one 12 yrs. old & one 2 yrs. Tried Royal Canin & it has corn, gluten & by-products, not to mention artificial preservatives. Try "Wellness" which has no corn, wheat, gluten, preservatives or additives. They even have allergy formulas. It's all natural and no by-products.

Sep 13, 2009
Rating

Schnauzer food
by: Kev P

Hi.
We feed our 18 week mini with Burns (recommended by our breeder). Have a look at their website.
There are many, many positive reviews from pet owners whose pets have the same issues as yours and have recovered after using the Burns food.
Worth a try. Best of luck.

Sep 05, 2009
Rating

schnauzer allergies
by: Hollie K

I have 2 schnauzers and my oldest one is 4 and my youngest is 3. We fed them science diet for years and then switched over to royal canin schnauzer formula. Kensi my 4yr old developed the same problems- biting her feet, licking and scratching all over. Come to find out she was allergic to the royal canin food. Take your dog to the vet and get it allergy tested immediately. A common allergy is corn and that is in royal canin! Royal canin is a fine food but if your dog has allergies and you don't know it then it will continue to suffer if you keep feeding it that kind of food.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Schnauzer FAQ.

Share this page:

What’s this?