What Can I Put on My Dog's Hair for Nourishment?

You can buy or make products that will nourish your dog's coat, some at home with ingredients you already have. Nourishing a dog's coat must also be done from the inside out though, with nutritious food and supplements for skin and coat. Regular grooming is a must to keep a dog's coat healthy. Brush the dog at least once a week to help distribute oil from the skin through the hair and keep the coat shiny and healthy.

  1. Ready Made

    • Bathe with the right shampoo and conditioner.

      Look for ready-made coat products that moisturize the dog's coat. They come in sprays, foam, shampoos and conditioners. If your dog's coat is dry, purchase a shampoo with ingredients such as glycerin and essential oils. Use a shampoo made for dogs. Never use human shampoos; they are designed to remove oil and dirt and will dry a dog's coat.

      Condition the dog's coat after you bathe with a moisturizing conditioner made for dogs. Use an old shampoo bottle and dilute a bit of conditioner with water. Pour the liquid through the hair and rub it in. Rinse thoroughly.

      Avoid using a hair dryer after bathing the dog, which will dry its hair out. If the dog has a long or thick coat, blow the coat partially dry, then let it air dry.

    Leave-on Products

    • Spray and foam coat dressings and moisturizers work to nourish the coat and are easy to use. Most also leave the hair shiny, smooth and mat-free. Always brush the dog when using these products to distribute them through the hair to the skin. Leave-on sprays provide instant results and can be used regularly, usually without buildup. Foam coat dressings are thicker and must be rubbed evenly into the coat, then brushed through. They contain more moisturizer than most sprays but are a bit messier to use.

    Home Solutions

    • Make your own coat dressings at home using everyday ingredients. Separate an egg and beat the white until it peaks. Add 1 tablespoon water to the yolk and beat until creamy. Mix the white and yolk together. Wet the dog's hair with warm water and apply the mixture, rubbing it through to the skin. Rinse thoroughly.

      Add shine to your dog's coat and repel insects with a solution of one-half cup vinegar mixed with one quart of water. Spray on the coat and brush through. Use apple cider vinegar for a nicer smell.

    Feed for Health

    • Feed a nutritious diet.

      A healthy dog has a healthy coat. Feed your dog a nutritious, meat-based food with no by-products and adequate protein. Add an Omega 3 and Omega 6 source to food daily, such as salmon oil, flax oil or fish oil. This supplement will also reduce shedding and itchy, dry skin.