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You love your dog, and you want to be the best pet parent you can. In addition to ensuring they get plenty of playtime and nutritious, well-balanced meals every day, an important part of keeping your dog in good condition is making sure they have a healthy coat and skin.
Great — but how to improve a dog's coat and skin, exactly? The amount of care your dog needs will vary depending on their individual characteristics, but all dogs require some level of grooming. Here's how to keep dog skin healthy and support a shiny, lustrous coat.
Features of a Healthy vs. Unhealthy Coat
A healthy coat is soft and relatively smooth, even on short- or wire-haired breeds. The coat should be shiny but not greasy and shouldn't have a strong odor. A dog with an unhealthy coat may have bald patches, dry and brittle hair, dandruff, excessive oil, odor or excessive shedding. Itchy, red or irritated skin can be signs of a skin issue or allergy, so contact your veterinarian to rule out the underlying cause.
How to Improve a Dog's Coat and Skin
1. Professional Grooming
When it comes to how to keep dog skin healthy, grooming is key. Depending on your dog's needs, you may choose to see a professional groomer. Local pet stores, vet staff and trusted friends and family can recommend a reputable groomer. The staff at a grooming center should be well trained, experienced and familiar with your dog breed's needs. In addition to bathing and trimming, they can clean your dog's ears, brush their teeth and trim their nails.
You can also groom your dog at home with the occasional trip to a professional groomer. At-home grooming is good for your dog's skin, and it's a great opportunity for you to bond with your dog, as most pups love the attention.
2. Regular Brushing
Brushing is the most important part of grooming a dog. Long-haired breeds typically need to be brushed three to four times a week to avoid tangles. Dogs who are prone to shedding or have thick undercoats should be brushed once a week. Even short-haired breeds can benefit from weekly brushing to distribute natural oils and remove loose hair, dirt and debris.
Like any job, brushing requires the right tools, and there are as many types of brushes as there are types of dog coats. Ask your vet or groomer what they recommend for your dog.
3. Bathing
Bacteria and oil buildup can cause your dog to smell. And while your pup may be perfectly happy without a bath, a good wash will eliminate unwanted odor. It is, however, possible to overbathe your dog, leading to dry skin and irritation. So, avoid bathing your dog more than once a month unless they're particularly dirty (with mud, feces, skunk spray, etc.) or your vet directed you to do so.
As a general rule, don't use shampoo designed for people. Baby shampoo is safe and won't irritate your dog's eyes, but the detergents are so mild that they won't remove heavy grime. Opt for cleaning products formulated for dogs. You can find these products online, at your local pet store or at your veterinary clinic.
4. Supportive Nutrition
A less obvious but equally important aspect of maintaining a healthy coat is nutrition. Skin is the largest organ in your dog's body, and it's often the first to show signs of malnutrition. Foods that support skin health include:
High-quality protein for building healthy hair and skin
Balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to strengthen the skin barrier
Vitamin E (tocopherols) to protect skin cell damage and soften skin
Guaranteed prebiotics and probiotics for gut health, which supports skin health
If you're unsure which food is best for your dog, talk to your vet. They can recommend foods that suit your dog's skin and coat condition, size and life stage to ensure they get the nutrients they need to thrive (which brings us to the next point).
5. Vet Visits
One of the best tips on how to keep dog skin healthy is to work with your vet. Many factors can affect the skin, including external parasites, hormonal conditions, allergies, cancer and skin infections. These all require veterinary intervention to resolve. If you notice signs of poor skin and coat despite grooming and quality nutrition, schedule an appointment with your vet. In addition, take your dog in for regular exams at least once a year to help prevent skin and coat problems.
Attention + Care = Love
With the right combination of nutrition, grooming and veterinary support, your dog's coat can shine with health. And if you run into any issues, your friendly vet is there to help get your dog back on track to comfortable, healthy skin.
