Dog Health: How to Get a Healthy Coat

The condition of a dog's coat tells you a lot about his overall health. Taking care of your dog's coat is important to help protect him against the elements and parasites. Indications of problems include dry and brittle fur, a heavy doggy odor even after you wash your pet, and patches of lost fur or flaky skin. If your dog still suffers from issues such as these after treatments, talk to your veterinarian to ensure that your dog isn't suffering from an underlying medical condition.

Things You'll Need

  • Herbal dog shampoo
  • Dog brush
  • Protein-enriched dog food
  • Vegetable oil
  • Fatty acid supplement
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Instructions

    • 1
      Use a natural shampoo to develop a shiny coat.

      Use an herbal dog shampoo when bathing your dog. Herbal shampoos are chemical free, contain natural oils that act as insect repellents and are pH balanced to prevent drying and skin irritation. Oatmeal shampoos and shampoos infused with lavender help keep skin moist and healthy. Never bathe your dog more often than once every two weeks, or you will dry out his skin causing itching and irritation that can lead to hot spots. Use a leave-in, spray-on conditioner after bathing.

    • 2

      Brush your dog, especially long-haired breeds. Brushing your dog's coat can improve the texture of her fur by stimulating the oil glands and follicles. Use the right brush for the dog's particular coat. Brushing every day helps keep the coat healthy and gives you an opportunity to look for developing problems, such as rashes or external parasites.

    • 3
      Feed your dog well.

      Ensure that your dog is getting proper nutrition. Dogs spend up to 30 percent of their protein requirement developing their coat. Your dog's food plays a big part in his overall health, including his skin and coat. Symptoms of food allergies include chronic ear infections, hot spots, incessant scratching, dull coat and increased shedding. Common food allergens are beef, chicken, dairy and wheat. Soy is also a problem for some dogs. Some dogs with coat problems due to food allergies do well with a food that has fish as the main source of protein.

    • 4

      Put a teaspoonful of vegetable or fish oil in your dog's food. Adding the oil twice daily adds luster to your dog's coat. Brewer's yeast and omega-3 are also effective in helping to keep the coat healthy and shiny.