Tips to Keep Your Dog’s Coat Looking Great
If your dog’s coat has lost its shine, you may be wondering what you can do to revive its beauty. In order to keep your dog’s coat shiny and soft, you must make sure that both their skin and fur are healthy. Here are a few tips to keep your furry friend always looking their best:
The first place to start in keeping your dog’s coat looking shiny and clean is pretty basic—bath time. However, cleaning your dog too little or too often can actually do more harm than good. Depending on the dog, there is a specific bathing pattern that should be followed to keep their coat looking great. The amount you need to bathe your dog will be different depending on a variety of factors, but there are a few basic rules to follow.
If you clean your dog too infrequently, it could lead to things like bacterial infections or cysts. You might also start to notice an unpleasant odor. This will cause the coat to look oily and lackluster. While washing too much can actually have the opposite effect of drying out your dog’s skin, causing itching that can even lead to hair loss.
As a general rule of thumb, you should minimally bathe your dog once every three months, but some dogs require even less. If you have an active dog who loves spending time rolling around outside or swimming, they will probably need to be bathed more often. If you notice your dog is a little smelly or is physically dirty, it’s probably a good idea to give them a bath. Use your best judgment. It’s okay to bathe your dog every other week if needed.
Different breeds also require different cleaning schedules. Some dogs are more high maintenance than others. Dogs with long coats will, of course, need more baths and most likely professional grooming services every month or so, whether they are active or not. If you do choose to leave all grooming up to the professionals, be sure to find a trusted reputable groomer who has experience with your breed. They should be able to give you sound advice on the frequency of bathing and grooming needed based on your dog’s specific needs. If your dog has other health issues that might be affecting their skin health, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian for the best course of action.
For most dogs, it’s not recommended to bathe your dog more often than every 2 weeks unless they are dirty or have a condition that requires it. A safe bet is every month or so. If you need to bathe your dog more often than that, be sure to use a mild shampoo that won’t irritate their skin.
The shampoo you choose can make a big difference in maintaining your dog’s coat as well. Just because a shampoo works well for you does not mean it will work for your dog. Always be sure to use a shampoo with quality ingredients that were specifically formulated for dogs.
Shampoos with added beneficial nutrients can leave your dog’s coat extra shiny and smooth. Whereas, too many chemicals can dry out their coat leaving it looking dull. A shampoo with oatmeal and chamomile can be helpful in soothing a dog’s itchy skin.
No matter what type of coat your dog has, a good brushing is always helpful in maintaining its beauty. Not only is it a pleasant experience for your dog, but it will remove excess hair and help with shedding—a bonus for you. Regular brushing will help prevent matting of fur in dogs with long or curly hair. It can also help redistribute the oil on your dog’s skin. Distribution of oil helps prevent dry or oily patches in their coat.
All of these grooming habits are important, but did you know that the biggest factor in keeping your dog’s coat healthy is actually the vitamins and minerals they are ingesting?
Providing your dog with the right nutrients through their food is the most important thing you can do to keep your dog’s coat looking great. Luckily, supplementing your dog’s diet is an easy, impactful way to get them all of the extra nutrients they are missing. All-in-one supplements like our Itch Relief Chews provide your dog with the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to maintain healthy skin and coat, in an easy to digest formula that dogs love.
Healthy skin is a requirement for a healthy coat. Supplements containing Omega-3 fatty acids, often found in fish like salmon, are great for helping seal in moisture. They will keep your dog’s skin from becoming too dry. Biotin is another powerhouse vitamin that has been proven to help with skin issues and therefore, improves dogs’ coats.
Allergies can often lead to skin issues when they are not managed properly. If your dog is afflicted by allergies, they will often scratch and chew at their skin and fur. This can wreak havoc on their coat by causing hot spots or bald spots. Along with the Omega-3s and biotin already stated, Vitamins E and C, as well as Zinc, will help to ease the itching associated with allergies in dogs, leaving them with healthy skin and a fluffy coat.
If you keep up the health of your dog’s skin, the health of their coat will follow. By maintaining recommended grooming and bathing habits and supplementing your dog’s diet with the needed vitamins and minerals, your dog’s coat will be back to its lustrous beauty in no time.