Brushing and bathing your dog can go a long way in keeping their fur smooth and their skin healthy, but did you know that the food they eat can have an impact as well? Our Eastham vets talk about dog diet and nutrition and how the food they eat can impact the health of their skin.
The Effect of Diet & Nutrition on Your Dog's Skin
Your dog's skin and fur are the shield that protects everything inside from the harsh environment around them. This is why they need a lot of nutrients to keep their skin and coat healthy. If a dog doesn't get enough nutrients, their skin and coat won't be healthy. This can cause dryness, irritation, and a dull or patchy coat. So, it's important to give your dog a good diet to keep their skin and coat healthy.
What are the common skin conditions affecting dogs?
When your dog is experiencing a condition affecting their health, there is a good chance that there will be some impact that is noticeable from the outside, such as in the appearance of their skin and fur.
The most common skin problems in dogs are:
- Allergy (including flea bites and atopic dermatitis)
- Skin cancers
- Bacterial skin infection
- Seborrhea (greasy skin or dry, flaky skin)
- Parasites (e.g., demodectic mange)
- Food hypersensitivity/intolerance
- Immune-medicated skin disease
- Hormone-related skin diseases
Even if a food allergy is not the culprit, your dog may still experience skin conditions related to their diet and nutrition.
The foods that they are fed will have a great effect on their health, both inside and out. A nutritional deficiency can greatly impact both your dog's skin and coat.
This can happen both with homemade dog foods that aren't professionally formulated and with low-quality commercial dog foods.
What are the skin and fur-related symptoms of a dog with poor nutrition and diet?
There are many ways that a poor diet can affect your dog. When it comes to their skin and coat, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Dry, dull hair with 'split ends'
- Slow growth or no growth of hair from spots that have been clipped or shaved
- Accumulation of dry skin scales
- Pressure sores
- Change in or loss of hair color
What other problems affect dogs with a poor diet?
A dog's skin and coat may suffer if they lack essential nutrients in their diet or if they have a dermatological allergy caused by certain ingredients in their food. If your dog shows symptoms of skin issues, it could be due to an allergic reaction to something in their diet rather than a lack of nutrition.
If you think your dog is getting enough nutrition, but still has skin problems, talk to your vet. They may recommend allergy testing to help you find the best food for your dog's health.
Other Ways to Help Your Dog's Fur Shine
Professional pet grooming keeps your cat or dog looking and feeling neat, clean, and healthy, while also saving you time and energy.
From summer haircuts to flea control treatments, shampoos, and nail trims, our grooming and bathing services include everything your pet needs to stay clean, healthy, and as adorable as ever!
At our Eastham Veterinary Hospital, we provide professional pet grooming services. Our professional groomer is well-versed in grooming pets of all coat types and temperaments.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.