How often do you think about the health of your pet’s coat and skin? Once a year at the annual physical? Twice a year if they get dry itchy skin during the winter or summer months?
If you’re like most pet owners, that’s probably how often you think about your dog’s skin and coat. And unless there is an obvious problem with their fur, that’s not a bad thing! But even if your pup has a shiny coat and isn’t having any trouble itching, there are still things you can do to help support their skin and fur health.
How to Tell If Your Pooch’s Skin and Coat Are Healthy?
Looking for signs of a healthy coat and skin can be tricky. While it’s easy enough to tell if your pooch has parasites, dandruff, or bald spots, other indicators may not be as obvious. If you’re wondering what your dog’s fur situation looks like and whether it’s healthy, here are some tips:
- The skin should be shiny, smooth, and not dry, flaky, or oily. Smooth skin means less irritation.
- Look for sores or blemishes on your dog’s body. These can indicate underlying health issues that need attention from a vet ASAP!
A normal coat will have no bald spots (unless they’re growing back after having been clipped). Any patches of missing fur should be evaluated by a vet so that he/she can assess whether they could indicate something more serious than just seasonal shedding (i.e., allergies). The overall appearance of the coat should look clean without tangles–it shouldn’t look messy with clumps falling out as your pet moves about!
Common Causes of Skin and Coat Problems
There are many reasons why your dog’s skin and coat may be in poor shape. While most of these problems can be addressed by a trip to the veterinarian, some conditions can only be treated with prescription medication. Let’s take a look at some common causes of skin and coat problems:
- Dandruff is usually caused by a buildup of yeast on your pet’s skin. Yeast infections can also lead to localized hair loss (alopecia).
- Fleas are annoying bugs that can wreak havoc on both dogs and cats. The allergic reaction from flea bites causes intense itching as well as inflammation of the skin around the bite marks, which can get infected if left untreated for too long.
Symptoms of Skin and Coat Issues in Dogs
The symptoms of skin and coat issues in dogs are pretty easy to spot. You may notice your pup scratching more than they usually do, or they might seem uncomfortable when you touch them. They could have redness, loss of hair, dandruff, or dry skin that’s flaky and scaly.
Their skin could be discolored or scaling (dry patches). Scabs can appear on the face and feet, while bumps on the back are common among dogs with allergies. Sores around the mouth and nose area are a sign that something is wrong there too!
Brush Your Dog’s Coat
Brushing your dog’s hair can help distribute oils from the skin throughout the coat, which moisturizes the top layer of fur. Brushing also helps remove dead hair, preventing matting and tangling. The best time to brush is when you see him or her scratching excessively or having trouble getting comfortable on his or her bed or couch because of thick hair mats around their body.
If you have a long-haired breed, like a Labrador retriever, for example, it’s important to brush often. This will keep shedding under control when it starts happening in springtime, which brings us to our next point.
Brush Them Consistently Using the Right Tools
Brush your dog at least once a week to remove dead hair and keep their coat healthy. Use a pin brush to get rid of loose hairs, a slicker brush to get rid of mats and tangles, a bristle brush to get rid of dead hair, and/or a rake if you have shedding issues.
Bathe as Required With the Right Shampoo
Bathing is an important part of keeping your pooch’s skin and coat healthy, but it’s also essential for their health.
As a rule of thumb, dogs should be bathed as often as necessary to keep them clean and comfortable. This can mean weekly baths if you have a shedding breed or large-breed dog, or monthly for smaller breeds that don’t shed much at all. In between baths (whether frequent or infrequent), give your pooch a quick rinse with cool water to keep them fresh and smelling good until the next bath day rolls around!
Feed Them a Diet Free of Usual Allergens
If your dog is allergic to common allergens like wheat, corn, and dairy, you might already be aware that these ingredients can cause problems for dogs. They’re easily avoided by reading the labels on all of your dog’s food (and even treats) before buying them.
Most doctors often recommend using Purina Pro Plan for sensitive skin and stomach. The food helps to take care of skin sensitivities with a salmon fish diet that has novel proteins.
If you have a specific allergy concern, it’s important to consult with a vet before attempting elimination diets on your own. Additionally, some vets will recommend introducing new foods slowly over time so as not to overwhelm the digestive system with sudden changes in diet.
Conclusion
Well, that pretty much sums it up. As you can see, keeping your pooch’s skin and coat in good shape is a lot more than just staying on top of shedding. Their skin and coat are a reflection of their overall health and well-being.
So if something feels amiss, it’s probably worth talking to your vet about it ASAP. With that said, there are plenty of things you can do at home to help keep your pal’s skin and coat looking great! And if you’re not sure where to start? We recommend our 100% nutrition dog food with a rich blend of antioxidants from real veggies, fruits, butternut squash, pumpkin seeds, and blueberries for healthy coats and joints.