A quick check you can do day in and day out to keep track of your dog's overall health is examining their skin and coat. Often overlooked, a dog's skin and coat can indicate whether they're healthy and happy. If their coat looks glossy and is soft to the touch, their skin is calm and comfortable, which usually means they're pretty healthy. While excessive shedding, dryness and itchy skin can suggest issues with diet, or may indicate a skin or health problem.
Of course, when we're discussing a dog's coat, high-quality shampoos and regular grooming will help, but the truth of the matter is this: a healthy coat starts with one thing, and that's diet.
While moulting can happen several times a year at specific times, if you notice your dog is scratching, licking or nibbling at their skin excessively, or if you've noticed any bald patches or inflamed areas of skin, it's important to seek veterinary advice to rule out any underlying causes for concern.
What Does a Healthy Skin and Coat Look Like for Dogs?
There are several indicators of good health and a healthy coat you can look out for.
Texture and shine
Look for a shiny, glossy texture that's not brittle or coarse. Fur type will differ depending on the breed, but this is generally a good place to start when checking your dog's coat health.
Clear skin
The skin underneath should be light pink or their natural pigmentation, but not red or patchy. The skin should be smooth to the touch, rather than greasy, dry, or flaky.
Lack of odour
It's likely that you'll know your dog’s smell better than anyone, so always investigate any big changes. Your dog should generally smell how you'd personally expect them to. A healthy coat should not have a foul, musty, or unusually yeasty smell.
Look out for inflammation or bald spots
While seasonal shedding can be normal depending on the breed, keep an eye out for patchy spots, particularly thin areas of fur, and bald spots.
A note on adding ingredients: The ingredients mentioned in this guide are intended as examples of nutrients to look for within a complete and balanced dog food. They should not automatically be added separately to your dog’s meals. Adding oils, eggs, supplements or other extras to an already complete diet can increase calories, upset the balance of essential nutrients or cause digestive problems.
Always follow the feeding instructions on your dog’s food and speak to your vet before making significant dietary changes or adding supplements.
The Building Blocks for Healthy Skin and Coat
Start with Protein
Of course, we know that animals need plenty of protein in their diet, but did you know that it is an important component of the skin cells and hair of your pup? When choosing the best protein for your dog, you should look for high-quality ingredients that can be easily digested and broken down.
Try Oily Fish, Like Salmon: Fish are easily digestible for dogs, as well as being a complete protein. They are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, making them a powerhouse for dogs and humans alike! Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce any inflammation and prevent dry or flaky skin.
Try Eggs: Eggs are another great source of protein for dogs. Eggs contain high-quality, bioavailable protein, as well as biotin and amino acids, perfect for supporting keratin production and keeping their coat looking its best!
Try Turkey: Turkey is a popular protein choice for dogs; it's lean and easily digestible, making it perfect for dogs who prefer a lighter diet, or need food for sensitive stomachs, but also want to get in those coat-calming nutrients.
Rabbit and Venison: A popular choice for dogs with food allergies, rabbit and venison can be novel proteins that are ideal for dogs who have a sensitivity to common proteins like chicken or beef.
Oftentimes, sensitivities or allergies to common proteins can cause allergy-induced coat issues, such as dryness, flaking and itchiness, so incorporating rabbit or venison into your dog's diet can lead to huge improvements to their coat, mood and overall wellbeing.
Consider Healthy Fats
Healthy fats give your dog the energy they need, while also helping to support their skin cells and coat health. Certain omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA from marine sources, can help support normal skin function. This is especially important for dogs whose skin is already irritated and requires some soothing.
Essential fats for dogs nourish the skin barrier from within, reduce dryness and can add a brilliant shine to their coats. So, what healthy fats should you try?
Fish and Krill: The most effective healthy fats for a glossy coat often come from fish and krill, whether as a protein or just the oil; both are rich in EPA and DHA omega-3s.
Hemp Seed Oil: Hemp seed oil is a great source of healthy fats as it provides a perfectly balanced ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3, which work together perfectly to promote healthy and hydrated skin.
Flaxseed Oil: Another great option for a plant-based source of omega-3 for dogs is flaxseed oil. It helps to support coat health, as well as the heart health of your furry companion.
Egg Yolks: Egg yolks are rich in healthy fatty acids and bioavailable proteins such as biotin, making them the perfect ingredient to add strength and shine to your dog's coat.
Vitamins and Minerals for a Healthy Coat
Vitamin A: Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that aids normal development, healing and immunity. If you're looking for dog food for puppies that supports their development, check out our range of formulated puppy food.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an important antioxidant for dogs. Safe sources of vitamin C for dogs include cranberries, liver and kidney. These ingredients can aid collagen production and help keep bodily tissues healthy.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E has many benefits for canines but is especially good for their skin. It protects their cells and membranes, ensuring the skin stays supple and heals quickly in the event of any cuts or wounds. A safe and healthy form of vitamin E for dogs can be found in the form of Linseeds. If your dog has a large cut or scratch that may need stitches or medical care, ensure you seek professional advice.
Certain vitamins can be harmful in excess so always choose a complete dog food with added vitamins rather than adding extra without guidance.
What Food Should You Avoid to Protect Your Dog's Coat?
When considering dog food for a healthy coat, it's not only about what foods you should add to their diet, but also what you should leave out. Certain ingredients can have a negative effect on your dog's health, skin and coat.
Avoid Low Quality Fillers
Grains themselves are not inherently bad for dogs and can provide useful nutrients as part of a complete and balanced diet. Some dogs may benefit from trying a grain-free recipe, particularly if they have a confirmed sensitivity to a specific grain, but grain-free food is not automatically healthier or more suitable for every dog.
The quality, digestibility and overall nutritional balance of the recipe are more important than whether it contains grains. If you suspect your dog reacts to a particular ingredient, speak to your vet before removing it from their diet.
When choosing a dog food, we'd simply recommend avoid foods that are stuffed full of low-quality grains that are simply being used as a filler, and not for nutritional value. Your dog deserves the best care possible, so it's important to provide them with tailored nutrition to their stage, whether they're a puppy, a junior dog, an adult dog, or a senior, as well as tailoring for their specific diet, whether they require sensitive dog food or hypoallergenic food.
Avoid Over-Processed Fats
Over-processed fats can cause inflammation and irritation for your dog, which can lead to extreme consequences over time. Overly processed fats include:
-
Low-grade animal fat
-
Processed meats such as bacon, sausages or hot dogs
-
Chemical stabilisers are often found in cheap kibble.
Toxic Human Foods
While we know you love your pet, and it can be tempting to give them a little treat from your plate every now and then, we'd generally recommend that this practice be avoided. Not only does it reinforce begging during mealtimes, but so many human foods are toxic for dogs and can be extremely dangerous.
Some common toxic foods for dogs include:
-
Onions
-
Garlic
-
Grapes
-
Raisins
-
Certain nuts
-
All chocolate.
Don't Overfeed Your Dog
If you've followed our advice and picked out the perfect diet for your pooch, but they're still suffering from problems with their skin and coat, it may be due to overfeeding.
Even too much of the good stuff can cause issues, so always follow the recommended servings on our packaging. Of course, if problems persist, it's important to get expert guidance, get in touch with our team of experts or seek advice from your vet. If you’ve been struggling with portion control for your dog a weight management dog food may help.
Key Takeaways
The best foods to support your dog's coat and skin health can vary based on a range of factors, including their age, breed, and any allergies or sensitivities, but one thing is for certain: to keep your dog looking and feeling their best, it's important to prioritise high-quality ingredients such as digestible proteins, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and nutrients.
You’re also welcome to contact us if you’d like help choosing a suitable food for your dog.
