Did you know that a healthy skin and coat are good indicators of an overall healthy pet? I didn’t! Like a lot of pet owners, I struggled to keep my dogs coat clean and shiny. When I started to dig into what was going on and what I could change, my mind was blown by all the information I found. Your dog’s skin and coat help with protection, immunity, thermoregulation, hydration, and nutrient storage. So, it is imperative that we help our dogs take great care of their skin and coat.
Nutrition
Just like humans, the skin is a dog’s largest organ. And just like other organs, it needs the right nutrients to thrive. This is generally derived from a properly balanced diet. A dog’s diet should contain high-quality digestible proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. The ideal diet should also be individualized to your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, senior). Your dog should also be receiving the appropriate number of calories to meet his or her energy needs.
Generally, most commercial dog foods are nutritionally balanced, but it is up to you to choose the right food and feed the right amount. If you have a 6-month-old puppy and a 10-year-old senior dog, they should be getting a different formula of food and different amounts from each other. If your dog’s diet is inadequate to meet his or her dietary needs, they can have a dull, dry coat and often shed excessively.
Illness
Even with a balanced diet, illness or stress can affect the appearance of your dog’s skin and coat. Especially if your pet is
suffering from a chronic illness. Diseases like hormone imbalances (hypothyroidism), digestive disturbances (chronic diarrhea), allergies, internal and external parasites (intestinal worms and fleas), and cancer can affect both the skin and coat of your pup. Typically, if these diseases can be cured or correctly controlled, their coat will return to normal.
Supplements
If your pet is suffering from stress or illness, or you just want to give their skin and coat an extra boost, you can give them certain supplements that will help! The best supplements for your dog’s coat and skin will include Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), Linoleic acid, Zinc, Biotin, and B Vitamins. These all help increase your dog’s coat gloss and decrease dry, flaky skin.
Omega-3 fatty acids help protect your dog’s skin and coat and keep it shiny. Dandruff, thin hair, discolored hair, and pool healing are all associated with low linoleic acid levels. Zinc helps reduce water loss through the skin. So having or adding Zinc to your dog’s diet can help keep their skin nice and hydrated. Biotin and B Vitamins help in the body’s metabolic process, so it aids linoleic acid do its thing. Typically, you can find pill, powder, or oil supplements that include all or at least of few of these vitamins and minerals.
Grooming
In addition to your pet’s nutrition, all dogs need some type of grooming to help keep their skin and coats clean. Not every dog breed has the same type of coat, so each coat type needs different grooming to help keep it healthy. Dogs can have short, medium, or long coats. It can stay the same length or even continuously grow!
Short Hair
Short haired dogs have the least amount of coat upkeep needed. This would be breeds like Basset Hounds, Pit Bulls, and Dobermans. They typically will have a single layer of hair, often resulting in a low-level shed all year round. Short haired dogs typically only need a bath when they are dirty or start stinking up your house. Most people don’t think to brush their short haired dogs, but they can benefit from some brushing. It can help reduce the amount of shedding they do.
Medium Hair
Medium haired dogs need a little more help. This would be breeds like Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and Golden Retrievers. They typically have a long, thick outer coat and an undercoat of find hair that serves as an insulating layer. They will need the most help typically in the late spring and late fall when their undercoat falls out. These are their two heavy shedding seasons. During this time, they need frequent brushing and baths to help get rid of all the extra hair. Outside of their seasonal sheds, they need an occasional brush and bath to keep their coat from getting matted and to keep them clean.
Long Hair
Long haired dogs will require the most help with maintaining their coat. This would be breeds like Yorkies, Shih Tzu, Poodles, and Doodles. They typically have hair that continuously grows, either straight or curly. Because of this they don’t shed. While not shedding is a huge plus, it does mean that they will need a bath and haircut (generally every 6-8 weeks) and daily brushing. A frequent bath and haircut will help keep their coat clean and from getting too long. A long coat can be a pain for you and your pet. Daily brushing will help keep their coat from getting matted, which can in turn cause skin irritation.
Remember that your dog’s general skin and coat appearance can be an indicator of your pet’s overall health. So, if you are struggling to maintain it, you may want to consult with your veterinarian about any possibly underlying causes.
