How to Keep Your Dog’s Skin and Coat Healthy

This week, we look at how to keep your dog’s skin and coat looking healthy.

Although common and very treatable with the right care, skin conditions are one of the most common health problems in dogs.

That said, they can be painfully uncomfortable for your dog, so prevention is certainly better than cure.

A dog’s skin and coat are good indicators of the general condition of your dog’s health.

Their skin and coat are the first protective barriers from the outside and they go hand in hand to provide protection and immunity from bacteria and viruses from entering the body.

So, what should a dog’s skin look like?

• Your dog’s skin should be smooth and either pink or black, depending on the breed.
• There should be no itching, crusting, scaling or inflamed areas and it should be supple and clear, not greasy, flaky or bumpy.
• A healthy coat should be shiny, quite smooth, soft and thick with no broken hairs or bald patches.

How to spot potential skin conditions

• Pimples, spots or red patches on the skin
• Scabby or flaky skin patches
• Loss of hair
• Smelly skin
• Excessive licking, scratching or itching

How to keep their coat looking healthy

• A quality diet – their diet will have the biggest impact on the quality of their skin and coat. In particular, diets high in omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce itching and inflammation associated with allergic dermatitis and products rich in fatty acids, oils, and vitamins are essential for healthy skin.
• Bathe and groom your dog – a bath, once or twice a month, should be more than adequate to keep your dogs coat looking healthy but give them a good brush every few days.
• Regular vet check-ups – a regular visit to the vets will help identify any issues and they can also offer advice on their diet and skin regime as your dog ages.
• Protect them from the excessive sun – just like humans, overexposure to the sun is bad for your dog’s skin so limit the amount of time your dogs spend in the hot sun.
• Supplements – there are lots of supplements to help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy – do some research and/or talk to your vet about the best ones for your dog.
• Skin and Coat treats – if they love treats… which I’m sure they do, try specific skin and coat treats – like these.

If your dog shows any signs of skin or coat problems, the best advice is to talk to your vet.

All of our Grain-Free recipes contain Omega- 3 essential fatty acids that are beneficial in supporting the skin and coat, as well as the control of inflammation. Some research suggests that Omega-3 is also important for brain and eye health in young and growing animals.

If you have any questions relating to your dog’s diet, or if you would like to discuss how our food could potentially help your dog, please get in touch.