At-Home Strategies For Healthier

              SKIN And COAT

Remember the last time your dog’s breed was pictured on the cover of a magazine or

catalog? After initial gushing, were you saddled with envy over the model dog’s shiny

coat and healthy skin…wishing your dog’s looked that good.

Vanity aside, the necessity for healthy skin and coat goes beyond appearance. Skin controls

your pet’s temperature, protects against infection and disease, plays a part in the production

of hair and nails, and helps organs function properly.

Good Stuff In = Good Stuff Out

We’ve all heard the saying “you get out what you put in”. This is especially true for nutrition.

A poor diet is a fast track to poor skin health. When selecting a daily diet, settle for no less

than a nutritionally complete food. Many inexpensive, grocery-store brands lack the nutrients

that assist in processes that keep the skin conditioned from the inside out. We recommend

foods containing quality sources of highly-digestible protein, as well as minimally processed

vegetables, grains, and fruits. Look for a food rich in vitamins and minerals, containing

NO artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives that can trigger allergies.

            Fill In the Gaps

Supplements pick up where the diet leaves off, providing the additional antioxidants,

Omega -3 and -6 fatty acids, and other nutrients that assist cell maintenance and repair.

To help stave off dry, flaky skin and broken, damaged hair, your best bets are

supplements rich in Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, vitamin A, C, and E, as well as biotin.

          Brush, Brush, Brush Your Dog

Dogs love the attention they receive during their daily brushing session, but the act of daily

brushing, especially in long-haired breeds, helps prevent tangling and matting of the fur,

which can lead to hair loss. It also stimulates the epidermis, releases loose hair, distributes

oils throughoutthe coat, and yields a clean well-kept look. A pin or bristle brush is a necessary

 tool, but a shedding or de-matting comb can also be useful.

          Ready, Set, Shampoo

Many dogs actually enjoy bath time, enjoying the feel of your hand massage and the

showering spray. Besides taking out dirt and oils that weigh down and dull the coat,

shampooing gets rid of flakes and other unsightly debris that spoil the coat’s appearance.

To prevent the coat from becoming brittle or the skin from flaking, use mild products designed

especially for dogs. Look for a hypoallergenic formula, one with fatty acids, soothing oatmeal,

or antioxidants. Many human shampoos and dishwashing liquids are too harsh for a dog’s

thinner epidermis, so avoid using them. Remember to dry the coat thoroughlyafter a bath,

and re-brush.

The important thing to remember with any skin –care regimen is that every dog is a distinct

being, with different genetic and environmental roots. Not every dog achieves picture-perfect results.

However,with the minimal commitment you can go a long way in improving skin health and

coat appearance.