Preventing Dry Skin in Dogs

Dry, itchy skin in dogs can be caused by dozens of factors, and many times is a symptom of a larger ailment that needs to be treated by a veterinarian. However, many dogs suffer from dry skin due to simple factors that are within the control of the owner, mainly nutrition and grooming.

  1. Food

    • The food that you feed your dog has a profound effect on the condition of your dog's skin and coat. According to veterinarian T.J. Dunn Jr., many of his clients are astounded by the difference that a good, high-quality food makes on their dog's skin and coat after switching from a cheap or generic brand.

      When looking for a good dog food check the ingredients label. You want the food to be high in protein, so you are looking for a food that lists some sort of meat as the first ingredient. Lamb, beef, chicken or other poultry or fish are all good examples of ingredients that would be listed first in a high-quality, high-protein dog food.

    Supplements

    • Supplements are another way to improve your dog's nutrition to minimize dry, itching skin. You should always consult with your veterinarian before starting your dog on a supplement. While supplements can be a good alternative to pricey dog food, some dogs on a high-quality diet may also need this boost to get their skin and coat to its healthiest.

      Dr. Dunn recommends DermCaps to his clients seeking to supplement their dogs for this reason. DermCaps are primarily an omega fatty acid supplement, but also provide some additional nutrients.

    Grooming

    • Proper grooming is also key in keeping your dog from developing dry skin, including bathing and brushing your dog. Brushing your dog on a regular basis is important even in short-haired dogs because it helps remove dead hair and dander.

      There are two things to keep in mind when bathing your dog: frequency and the products used. You should only bath your dog as often as he needs a bath to stay clean. Excessive bathing will quickly dry out your dog's skin.

      The No. 1 rule when choosing a shampoo for your dog is to make sure that it is formulated for dogs. While your shampoo may do wonders for your own hair, human shampoo is very harsh on a dog's skin.

      Also consider using a moisturizing rinse. These are similar to human conditioning rinses, but formulated for dogs to help restore moisture that bathing has stripped away.