People are oddly obsessed with their dog’s coat. They will pay money to go to the groomer for veterinary care. So how do we nicely put that? Everyone likes a soft, fluffy coat, but did you know that your dog’s coat can tell you a lot more about their whole-body health? In this article, we’re going to talk about ways to keep your dog’s coat full and shiny.
First and probably most important, feeding your dog a good quality diet can help support a good quality coat. A dull coat, lacking shine, is likely a result of a poor-quality diet. Imbalances in their protein intake can affect their overall health, which will then be reflected in their overall coat quality. There are lots of different types of foods and diets out there, and not every dog will thrive on the same food. So make sure you talk to your vet about choosing the right diet for your dog.
2. Consider Giving Supplements To Support Skin + Coat
You can also consider giving supplements to support skin and coat health, especially if your pet is suffering from constant itching, biting, or licking. Dandruff and itchiness can also be signs of hypothyroidism, allergies, or irritation. Omega-3 supplements are a great way to support healthy skin and coat.
3. Regular Grooming Is Key
If you feel like your dog is shedding more than normal, it might be time to groom their coat. Brushing, bathing, and force-drying will help remove dead hair follicles and leave room for new growth. Different breeds with different coat types will need different types of grooming. Breeds with continuously growing fur like Yorkshire Terriers and Pekinese tend to have minimal shedding. But they may require more grooming visits to keep their fur from covering their eyes or becoming unkempt. Dogs like Samoyed have double fur coats, so they have an outer coat of guard hair and an undercoat of finer hair. In most cases, these dogs will have two heavier shedding cycles that occur seasonally in the spring and fall. Some other breeds that have double coats include German Shepherds, Alaskan Malamutes, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers. Short-coated dogs include breeds like Pugs, beagles, Boston Terriers, and French Bulldogs. Although shedding in these breeds is not always noticeable because of the short length of their fur, they do often have shedding all year long. With regular grooming, you want to make sure you’re not bathing your dog too often because it can strip their natural oils in their coat. Also, you want to avoid brushing your dog’s coat when it’s wet because it can damage the hair follicles and cause breakage.
4. Pay Attention To Their Skin
Make sure to regularly inspect your dog’s skin and keep an eye out for signs of irritation. Recognizing the signs of skin inflammation, irritation, or allergies can help you catch coat issues before they arise. A dog’s coat that looks oily or thin or emits a bad smell could indicate an issue. You also want to make sure that you’re helping to prevent parasites, which can affect your dog’s coat. Things like skin mites, ticks, and fleas can all have widespread health consequences for your dog.
5. Be Proactive About Preventing Parasites
You can also proactively prevent parasites by putting them on veterinary-prescribed flea and tick medication.
6. Use Shampoo Made For Dogs
When you’re grooming your dog, you want to make sure you’re using a shampoo that is specifically formulated for dogs because the pH of your dog’s skin is different from humans. Most human shampoos are too harsh for your dog and could contain ingredients that are actually toxic for them.
7. Don’t Forget To Hydrate
Finally, don’t forget to keep your dog nice and hydrated. Dehydration affects your dog’s overall health, including their fur and skin. Always have fresh, clean water available. You could try adding bone broth to your dog’s water to encourage them to drink more or even try giving them bone broth ice cubes as a nutritious treat. If your dog’s diet is primarily kibble, you can even float their kibble in water to make sure they’re getting enough hydration. While the overall look of your dog’s coat is primarily because of their genetics, there are a lot of things that you can do at home to make sure it’s as healthy and shiny as possible.
