A shiny coat is not only the sign of a healthy dog, it’s also the sign of a devoted doggie parent. Dog fur can tell you a lot about a dog’s health. A shiny dog hair coat is the sign of a strong, healthy canine, while dull fur can mean nutrient insufficiencies or skin disorders.
Your dog’s coat is a true sign of your dog’s physical and emotional condition, so it’s important to monitor it regularly. “The coat is often a window to the internal health of your pet,” says Dr. Stephanie Liff, Medical Director of Pure Paws Veterinary Care of Clinton Hill and Hell’s Kitchen. So if it’s time to pay a little extra attention to your canine’s coat, check out these tips:
Feed the Right Foods: A balanced diet and proper dog nutrition goes a long way when it comes to human health. The same is true for pups, “If the coat is dull it may be due to dietary insufficiencies,” says Liff. A balanced doggie diet including protein and amino acid content will strengthen and replenish dog hair by giving it the building blocks of pet hair’s natural structure. Dog fur is mostly made up of protein, which means a coat that is dull or fragile is an indication that your furry friend may not be getting the best dog nutrition. Look for dry, wet and freeze-dried dog foods that are high in protein to help strengthen your pup’s fur. For a protein-rich dry dog food try Nature’s Logic Canine Sardine Meal Feast Dry Dog Food. Nature’s Logic Sardine Meal feast is high in protein, and gluten-free.
Reward Wisely: Dog’s like to snack too. Give your dog a healthy and rewarding treat that helps her coat shine. If your pet loves the taste of salmon, they’ll love Halo Liv-a-Littles Grain-Free 100% Wild Salmon dog treats. By rewarding your pet with these wild salmon flavored treats, you’re giving them a healthy snack full of coat strengthening proteins and made with dog nutrition in mind. Tuna, sardines, and salmon are also full of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids which help contribute to healthy dog hair. They’ll love the taste, and you’ll love the way their coat shines.
Bathe Gently: Bathing regularly and proper dog grooming can help maintain a shiny, healthy coat. How often you bathe your canine companion depends on factors like the length of their dog hair, and how dirty they get during play. Bathing your pet once a month is a good general guideline for keeping your pet’s coat clean. Bathing too often can lead to stripping the coat of essential oils, which keep coats shiny. Use a moisturizing shampoo that won’t dry or irritate your dog’s skin. Try Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo for Dogs & Cats for a gentle clean. This soap-free dog shampoo is great for regular grooming as it’s specifically made for dry, itchy pet skin. The oatmeal and aloe help gently heal and soothe dryness in winter months and the vanilla and almond scent keeps your pet smelling great longer for more cuddle time.
Brush Often: Regular brushing not only keeps knots and matting at bay, it also stimulates the skin and hair follicles which increases the natural production of skin oils that keep coats shiny, so consider brushing your pet about every other day. Try the Safari Combo Brush for dogs for maximum coat shine. The dual purpose pin and bristle grooming brush is great for medium to large dogs, and dog grooming promotes a shiny coat. The bristle side helps distribute the dog’s natural oils throughout the dog fur, while the brush lifts out loose hair and debris.
Make Sure Your Pet Gets Her Omega-3s: A little fish oil can go a long way. Salmon oil, like that found in Alaska Naturals Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil Natural Dog Supplement is full of omega-3 fatty acids. This pure salmon oil is formulated using only wild, non-farmed salmon that’s caught in the pure waters of Alaska. Salmon oil provides levels of DHA and EPA not commonly found in pet foods that promote dog nutrition and lead to improved skin health, and provide antioxidant support for the immune system.
Test for Allergies: Allergies can cause changes in your canine’s coat. If your dog is having an allergic reaction they may develop skin reactions like breakouts or hives. “If you note the coat quality of your pet has changed, the first step should be to see your veterinarian,” advises Liff. “Once the necessary tests are done to rule out health issues (bloodwork, fecal testing, skin tests) then your vet may recommend treatment,” she said. If allergies are to blame for your pup’s skin and coat issues, the first step is to remove the allergen. If it’s a food allergy, try hypoallergenic dog food like Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Formula Dry Dog Food.
Address Itchy Skin: In the days before an allergy diagnosis, provide your pup with allergy relief. If your pup’s fur is full of flakes, it could be due to itchy, dry skin from allergies. Try Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo to help relieve dry, irritated skin. Vet’s Best uses essential oils and natural ingredients like oatmeal and tea tree oil to calm skin irritation. It also washes away allergens attached to the fur and skin.
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