You love your dog and want to take care of your furry friend. And you’re in luck! Your dog’s coat is often a great signal for your dog’s health. A dry skin, dry coat, and rashes can often be signs of malnutrition, a change in activity, or pests attaching to your dog. But sometimes, it’s just that they get smelly from being outside or rolling around in the dirt which can make their skin irritated and rashy. Whether it’s internal health or a proper grooming routine, here are some of the best things you can do for your dog’s skin and coat.
Diet
The best place to start helping your dog is in his diet. A malnourished diet can cause several health issues and can cause or worsen disease. Nutrient deficiency is also one of the most common causes of dry skin or coat. So shampoos and regular grooming will definitely help. But, if the cause of your dog’s coat problems is from diet, then your dog’s coat problems will keep coming back.
Important Foods
Just like people, dogs need proteins and fats. A dog's diet should contain a good balance of these two macronutrients. The percentage of these and how much you need to give is different for each breed. Consult your local vet and then check your dog's food to make sure it's a complete diet. You can also supplement your dog’s diet with your own food if needed. If your dog needs a little more protein, then you can try chicken or salmon. As for fats, if the meats and dog food you provided didn’t have enough already, there are natural supplements you can put in your dog’s diet. Some supplements can saturate your dog’s food with healthy fats like omega-3 and omega-6.
If supplements look a little expensive, you can also use your treat budget to help round out your doggy diet. Some treats have the important proteins and fatty acids your furry friend needs. It could act as a supplement and pampered treat time!
Grooming
Grooming can be a hassle but it's worth it! It's an important step to keeping your dog healthy. You wash your hair and skin so wash your pet's coat and skin too! Proper grooming is especially important if your four-legged friend needs to get rid of that dry skin and itching.
Grooming lets you replace dry coats with healthy coats! And a healthy coat means your dog will be happier and have a beautiful, shiny, and soft coat.
Oatmeal Shampoos
A great option for dry skin issues is oatmeal-based soaps. Oatmeal is gentle on your dog's irritated skin and helps soothe it. It might not completely heal skin irritation and dry hair on the first try. But, after a few baths, it should start soothing your dog's skin and coat. Once the irritated skin is treated, your dog should stop itching. But if you find your furry friend won't stop scratching his coat, consider seeking out a vet.
However, even if your friend doesn't have a skin condition, consider using oatmeal shampoo! It can give any dog a soft coat. And if you don't know where to start in looking for an oatmeal shampoo, we're here to help! Finding a good shampoo can be hard because the wrong pH balance or certain chemicals can hurt your dog. We can save you some time if you check out our oatmeal shampoo. It’s pH-balanced specifically for dogs, is paraben-free, and ethically sourced!
Try out giving your dog an oatmeal bath and see what you think.
Brushing
Dogs need their hair brushed regularly. But one breed might need more special care than another breed. For example, Boxers only need a brush once a week. But dogs with curly coats like Poodles need brushing two to three times a week. You might even look at brushing a Poodle every day if he/she goes outside often. Daily brushing will keep outside irritants out and stop your poodle from having a tangled or matted coat.
It's also important to keep in mind, regardless of breed, that every time you wash your dog make sure to give it a brush before and after the bath. Brushing before helps get out tangles and matted hair. Brushing after keeps your dog's and the shampoo's oils spread out and can also help keep out potential tangles while drying.
Bug Protection
Many dog owners take care of this first but keep it in mind! You can do everything right with your dog but still forget to apply a flea and tick preventative. And if you forget, your pets can get ticks and fleas which irritate their skin. Take special care with which preventatives you use because some can harm your dog. Dogs can have allergies just like us and sometimes need special protection. Try applying your preventative on your dog's back before putting it somewhere it can cause chaffing like their collar.
You're Ready to Start a Grooming Routine
The most important thing you can do in your grooming routine is consistency. Some dogs can get anxious with baths and brushes. To help your dog get used to it, you’ll need to be consistent. Eventually, your dog should get used to bath time and your brush. However, if your dog is super resistant, then you can try some tasty treats! A rewards system can quickly help a scared doggie. If absolutely nothing works, you may find yourself getting wet every bath time, and make preparations accordingly! A dog’s fierce wet-dog shake can easily paint the walls, and you, with water!
And if an oatmeal shampoo isn’t necessarily what you’re looking for, we have some other shampoos you can take a look at. See if they can make bath time a little easier and soften your dog’s coat!