Steps to Healthy Skin and a Silky Coat for Your Dog
Every dog lover wants to hear that their dog has healthy-looking skin and a glistening coat. When your dog has a soft and shiny coat, it draws attention and often compliments. If your dog’s coat is looking dull and lackluster, its skin beneath it is likely not healthy either. Thankfully, there are several different steps you can take to improve the appearance of your dog while simultaneously boosting his overall health.
1. Focus on Nutrition
Begin by making sure that you are feeding your dog premium commercial dog food, or following a vet-approved home-prepared diet. Be sure to avoid ingredients such as animal fat or plant-sourced oils. With your vet’s help, identify any possible food allergies that your dog might have so that you can avoid them altogether. Otherwise, your dog may suffer from itchy, irritated skin from the food that he is eating. Read ingredient labels carefully before committing to commercial dog food.
2. Consider Supplementation
When it comes to healthy skin and a shiny coat, omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are your dog’s best friend. These beneficial elements can be utilized in your dog’s diet by giving him fish oil supplements. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian when it comes to how much and what brand is recommended for the best results.
3. Set up a Consistent Grooming Schedule
No matter if your dog’s fur is short or long, thick or sparse, he requires regular grooming and brushing. While longer-haired dogs require more effort and need to be groomed more often, once a week is a good place to begin. If your dog likes to roll around in the mud and run through long grass, he is going to require more grooming than a dog that simply strolls through the park every day.
4. Bathe Your Dog Regularly
Speaking of muddy dogs, your canine needs a nice bath on a regular basis. About once a month is usually enough unless your dog likes to get dirty. To make sure your dog’s coat stays nice and shiny, do not overbathe him. There are natural oils in his skin that will be washed away if you bathe him too often. Select a moisturizing shampoo for dogs along with a doggie conditioner to soften his coat.
5. Keep Your Dog’s Bed Clean
Washing the cover on your dog’s bed regularly is a no-brainer. You wouldn’t go without washing your bed sheets, so why would you skip washing your dog’s bed? Keeping your dog’s bed clean will help to destroy possible flea infestations, and clean dander and dirt. It will also help keep your dog as clean and huggable as possible for all those that love him.