Vitamins for Dog Skin Problems

A dog's skin is a reflection of his overall health. If your dog has smooth skin and a shiny coat, chances are he is getting adequate vitamins in his diet. Dry skin, hair loss, dandruff, or a dull coat are all signs that your dog has a skin problem. A nutrition deficiency is usually to blame, making these skin disorders easily treatable through vitamin supplements or dietary changes.

  1. Vitamin C

    • Dogs, unlike humans, produce vitamin C in their bodies. For this reason, most dogs under normal conditions do not need extra vitamin C. However, if your dog is under stress, she may need more vitamin C than her body can make. In this case, you can give a dog over 2 years old 500 milligrams of vitamin C twice a day, and half that amount for dogs under 2 years old.

    Vitamin B Complex

    • Cold weather and stress can deplete your dog's B vitamin levels. If your dog was under stress or subjected to a cold environment, a vitamin B complex may restore his skin. According to Dr. Roger Clemmons at the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, larger dogs should receive B-100 vitamins, while smaller dogs should be given B-50 vitamins. B-50 vitamins are half the strength of B-100 vitamins.

    Biotin

    • Healthy dog skin relies on Biotin. If this B vitamin is low in your dog's diet, you may notice bald patches on your dog's skin due to hair loss. If your dog has a habit of eating her own feces, this may be evidence that she doesn't have enough biotin in her diet, since this vitamin is excreted after being produced in the intestines.

      Many people feed their dogs raw eggs in the hopes that it will give them a shiny coat. However, an enzyme in raw egg whites can actually decrease a dog's biotin levels. If your dog is experiencing hair loss and you are feeding her raw eggs, it may be best to feed her only the yolks, or to cook the eggs first.

    Vitamin E

    • Dr. Clemmons recommends all dogs receive vitamin E on a daily basis to keep skin healthy. Not only is vitamin E an anti-inflammatory agent, it is good for a dog's cholesterol levels and provides healthy oxygen levels to the blood---making skin healthy and supple.