If your dog has a skin problem, chances are you know about it pretty quickly, since he will spend a lot of his time scratching and biting to relieve the itchiness. Knowing how to treat dry skin in dogs leads to their comfort as well as your own, and it can prevent more serious problems from cropping up.
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Causes
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Like humans, a dog's dry skin is often a result of the cold weather, or exposure to excessive heat indoors during winter. In addition, a dog has sensitive skin and spends much of her time outdoors, susceptible to infection or allergies. With dry skin comes scratching, and that means a loss of sleep for both the dog and the owner. The prolongation of dry skin leads to other health risks.
Untreated Dry Skin
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Leaving a dog's dry skin untreated can result in a "hot spot," or an area of the skin that has been subject to excessive scratching and biting because of the dog's discomfort. This highly-sensitive area of skin becomes even more susceptible to an infection that has the potential to spread to other parts of the body. Catching and treating dry skin early is vital to a dog's overall health.
Treatment
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Many of the treatments for a dog's dry skin are similar to those of humans. For example, keeping essential oils on a dog's skin is important for the skin's health, so don't overbathe a dog using harsh soaps or shampoos that could wash those oils away. Instead, a moisturizing shampoo can help keep the skin from dryness. In addition, brushing a dog's hair can increase blood flow the surface, increasing nutrient level in the skin. Certain natural supplements and herbal extracts work well on dry skin, such as horsetail or fucus. Finally, a nutritionally balanced diet works wonders for preventing dry skin. If the problems persists or appears serious, a vet should be contacted to properly assess the best treatment plan.
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