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Skin and coat care for dogs
The coat is not only one of the most striking visual characteristics of a dog, it also provides valuable information about its state of health. A shiny and strong coat shows that the dog is not suffering from any deficiencies or illnesses. However, if there is a lack of minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids, this can affect your four-legged friend's coat - it can look dull and brittle. Excessive shedding and permanent shedding indicate that something is out of balance. Brittle claws and sensitive skin are further indications of deficiencies or illnesses.
Which factors influence the condition of your four-legged friend's skin and coat and what can you do as an owner ? This article provides valuable information and tips.
The structure of dog skin
The skin is the largest organ in the body and has many important functions. It protects your dog from external influences, regulates body temperature and is involved in metabolism. Overall, the dog's skin consists of three layers, each of which has different cell types with specialized properties:
- The epidermis: Several layers of horny cells protect against penetrating germs or other harmful external influences.
- The dermis: This layer, consisting of connective tissue, sebaceous glands and blood vessels, supplies the epidermis with oxygen and nutrients. The sebaceous glands produce a greasy film on the surface of the skin - this keeps it supple and protects it.
- The subcutaneous tissue: The layer, which is made up of fatty tissue and blood vessels, serves as an energy store and protects against the cold. The tissue is also a good water store and prevents water loss in the body.
What skin diseases are there in dogs?
Skin irritations in dogs are usually accompanied by severe itching, which can be a torment for your furry friend. If you intervene early, you can help alleviate the symptoms and prevent the spread of skin problems.
These are the most common skin diseases in dogs:
- Allergies (triggered by environmental influences, flea bites or food intolerances)
- Hormonal problems
- histaminosis
- autoimmune diseases
- fungal diseases
- Bacterial infections
- tumors
- Infestation with parasites such as grass mites, fleas, ticks or lice
Disorders in your dog's gastrointestinal tract can also be associated with skin problems. Causes include poor nutrition, medication or environmental toxins.
How to recognize skin problems in dogs
Unusual skin changes are not always immediately noticeable, because your dog's skin is well hidden under the fur.
This makes it all the more important that you keep an eye on changes in the appearance and behavior of your four-legged friend. If you notice any of the following symptoms during regular grooming, it's time to visit the vet :
- Brittle and/or dull coat
- Skin inflammation (the skin is red, swollen and feels warm)
- Dry skin and flaking
- skin thickening
- eczema
- ear itching
- Frequent scratching and gnawing on certain parts of the body
- hair loss or thinning fur
- Bloody and weeping wounds
Dogs try to counteract the associated itching by scratching, rubbing or rolling.
The problem: The skin becomes further irritated and the risk of infection increases.
coat change in dogs
The weather changes and so does the coat of our four-legged friends. Twice a year, dogs change from their light summer coat to their cuddly winter coat and back again. While it is obvious that the hair will fall out when they change their coat to their summer coat, the winter coat also undergoes a complete renewal. The old hair falls out and new, thick fur grows in.
This is hard work for our furry friends and can sometimes have unpleasant side effects . The change can lead to itching, dandruff and skin irritation. But coat changes are not just seasonal - castration, heat, moving house or a new roommate can also cause the four-legged friend to become stressed and shed his coat.
TIP: To give your pet the best possible support during the coat change, we recommend regular combing so that dead and loose hair is removed, the hair does not become matted and the skin can breathe. The combing process also ensures that the skin is better supplied with blood. Dogs who learn this type of coat care from an early age enjoy the caresses when being brushed. Depending on the breed, you should comb the hair two to seven times a week during the coat change.
How much hair loss is normal?
It is not unusual for your four-legged friend to scratch or lick himself a little more than usual when he is shedding his fur. After all, the dead and loose hairs prick the skin.
However, if bald patches, eczema, excessive scratching or reddened skin appear, a visit to the vet is advisable. You should also keep an eye on the coat itself: shiny fur indicates that it is a healthy shedding process. If, on the other hand, it feels dull, greasy or oily, you should seek veterinary advice. Allergies or parasites can be the cause of pathological coat loss.
Tips for skin and coat problems
- Brushing more frequently is a good way to distribute the oil better in the coat. It also removes dead skin cells and stimulates skin regeneration.
- When bathing your dog, be sure to use a moisturizing dog shampoo and conditioner, otherwise the skin will dry out further.
- Healthy pet food is an important aspect; if in doubt, consult your veterinarian to rule out possible allergies or diseases.
- Avoid stressful situations for your dog. Many dogs react to such situations with “stress hair.”
- Older dogs are no longer able to metabolize nutrients from food as well, so it is important that they receive high-quality and concentrated nutrients and oils that the body can absorb better.
If symptoms persist, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
nutrients for skin metabolism
The diet can help the four-legged friend, for example, with the coat change. Certain nutrients promote skin metabolism: biotin in particular. It strengthens the hair and relieves skin problems, while also strengthening the claws. An additional supply of vitamins and the essential amino acids DL-methionine and lysine is also recommended here. The Fell Plus Serum offers the optimal combination to intensively strengthen the dog's coat and promote shedding.
A treatment with natural ingredients helps dogs to change their coat quickly. Dogs also appreciate the addition of various oils , especially when their coat is changing into a warm winter coat. Safflower oil, corn germ oil, sunflower oil, walnut oil, grape seed oil and linseed oil stimulate a thick undercoat and a healthy complexion. The Multi Derm Complex10 oil can simply be added to the food.
Tasty helpers
As a reward after combing or in between, nutritional supplements are ideal during the shedding season to pamper your furry friend and provide valuable omega fatty acids. These promote the skin's resilience and ensure a shiny coat. The omega-3 fatty acids contained in salmon oil also stimulate vital body functions in the liver, kidneys and metabolism.
In particular, very picky eating can lead to nutritional deficiencies. High-quality salmon oil , such as Multi Derm salmon oil, can help here. The fine aroma also entices four-legged friends who are reluctant to eat or have no appetite to eat.
The fact that nutrition plays a major role in coat care is also evident in the case of allergies and intolerances . It is recommended to support affected dogs with biotin, high doses of vitamin A and hyaluronic acid in order to cope with the consequences of an allergic reaction. Hyaluronic acid in particular provides the skin with moisture as an excellent water reservoir and helps with regeneration. The appropriate dosage can be found in the product Derma Plus Fort .
Brings color to the fur
If your dog's coat loses color as it ages, natural supplements can help. Dark pigmentation can be refreshed using natural seaweed (Ascophyllum Nososum) enriched with minerals, proteins, vitamins and trace elements, such as in Dr.Clauder's Pigment Aktiv Algosan .
A reddish and brown pigmentation of the coat is promoted by the provitamin A (beta-carotene) contained in carrots, which the Pigment Active Carrot Pellets contain.
To prevent deficiency symptoms that are reflected in the dog's coat and skin, you can add Multi-Derm tablets to the food on a permanent basis. The Fell Aktiv yeast pellets also ensure that your faithful companion lacks nothing and, thanks to the added devil's claw, also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
You should remember this
You should remember this
Dr.Clauder's for skin and coat
Dr.Clauder's Hair & Skin products tackle the problem at its root - by providing the entire body with the optimal supply of vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids and minerals. Because only a healthy dog can enjoy an intact immune system, a shiny, healthy coat and resilient, insensitive skin.
Food emergency? The nutrition hotline helps
If you have any questions about animal nutrition, we will be happy to help you. Call us during our service hours or send us an email with your request:
- Telephone: 0800 / 474 476 0
- Email: hotline@dr-clauder.com
These are our service times:
- Monday and Wednesday 3 - 9 pm
- Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Friday 3 - 7 pm
- Sunday 3 - 5 pm (every 1st Sunday of the month)
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