Which Food Makes Dog Fur Shiny?

Dogs with shiny coats look healthy, happy and beautiful. It is important to provide your dog with proper nutrition to give it a long and happy life and a shiny coat. In addition to a proper diet, coat health is improved with regular grooming.

  1. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

    • Omega 3 fatty acids are an essential part of a healthy human diet, but they are also an important part of your dog's diet. Foods rich in omega 3s will help your dog maintain a shiny, healthy coat.

    Avoid Foods Containing Corn

    • Allergies are a common cause of dull, unhealthy coats in dogs. Foods including corn are most likely to trigger an allergic reaction in your dog. Avoiding corn can cause your dog's coat to become more healthy, thicker and shinier. Your veterinarian can test for allergies but because corn has little nutritional value for dogs, it is safe to just eliminate it from their diet to avoid the expense and inconvenience of testing for the allergy.

    Olive Oil

    • You can also add a teaspoon of olive oil to your dog's food to improve your dog's coat. Olive oil increases the health and shine of the dog's fur and may improve the taste of its food. Olive oil is safe for most dogs, but you may want to consult with your veterinarian before adding it to your dog's diet.

    Protein

    • You should also make sure that you feed your dog a food high in protein. A healthy canine diet is high in protein, and a healthy diet will increase the shine and health of your dog's coat. All dog food labels contain nutritional information; choosing a dog food that is high in protein will add to the health and shine of your dog's coat.

    Balanced Diet

    • The most important component to a shiny coat is a balanced diet. You should consult with your veterinarian to determine the correct balance of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and protein for your dog's diet. Once you know what you should be feeding your dog, carefully examine the dog food labels so that you can choose the best food for your dog.

    Patience

    • Any change in your dog's diet will not immediately improve the coat. It will take up to three months to notice the effects of the change in diet. While it takes a long time to see improvements in its coat, you may notice that your dog has more energy, has more regular bowel movements, and is generally happier than it was before careful attention was paid to its nutritional requirements. While a healthy diet will help your dog develop shiny, healthy fur, it will also keep it healthier and happier, and enable it to be an active member of your family for as long as possible.

    Grooming

    • Finally, while diet will help improve your dog's coat, proper grooming is also essential to the health of your dog's fur. Grooming does not have to be done professionally and does not have to be expensive. Cleaning your dog on a regular basis with a gentle shampoo and brushing your dog's fur frequently will help to keep the fur healthy and improve its shine.