There are numerous medical disorders that can cause or contribute to dry skin in dogs, including allergies, parasite, bacterial, or yeast infections, metabolic or hormone abnormalities, and allergies. The same environmental causes that create dry skin in people, such as exposure to heat and low humidity, can also cause dry skin in dogs, including poor grooming, lack of grooming, under- or over-bathing with detergents and soaps that dry skin, and these factors can also contribute to poor grooming.
Conditioning your dog’s dry skin can help, but it’s also advised to address the underlying problems to maintain your dog’s skin healthy. For the health of your dog, treating dry skin is crucial because it can be more easily harmed by itch or interference or infected with bacteria and yeast. You can take a variety of actions to treat your dog’s dry skin.
Dog’s Perspective
Your dog may have dry, itchy skin if you notice him continuously scratching, licking, or biting at his skin. We humans apply moisturizer to our smooth, hairless skin when we have dry skin. Simple, right? For your dog, who is covered in hair or fur, that is not always the most practical option. As much as possible, your dog grooms himself by licking off dirt and other debris and applying body oils with his tongue. He shouldn’t get dry skin because of that, although occasionally he might. Your dog can feel more comfortable if you help with grooming and use topical conditioning to relieve dry skin.
The Routine Grooming Method
Brush your dog on a daily basis to remove debris and avoid mats and tangles, which can cause dry skin by preventing the skin’s airflow. The natural dog oils in your dog can be distributed more evenly by brushing.
To better disperse body oils, boost blood flow to the skin, and nourish skin tissues, massage your dog with a rubber glove.
To avoid over- or under-bathing, give your dog regular baths—1-2 times per month, but no more than 1-2 times per week. Dry skin can be a result of oil and grime buildups as well as too much water and soap contact.
Use a moisturizing, dog-safe shampoo while giving your dog a bath. After a thorough rinsing to eliminate any remaining buildup, add a moisturizing conditioner you can find at your neighborhood pet supply store. Use only animal-free shampoo and conditioner.
Instead of using a blow dryer to dry your dog, pat it dry with a towel and place it in a warm, dry area where it may air dry or use fans.
How can I give my dog’s skin more moisture?
By bathing your dog with canine shampoos formulated to promote moisture, including those with aloe or tea tree oil, you can maintain the exterior skin health of your dog. If your dog has dry skin, use an oatmeal rinse on him. Boil the mixture for 10 minutes after adding 1/2 cup of oats to 2 quarts of water. Strain it after letting it cool. Rinse your dog one more in warm water after using the combination to complete the bath.
How can I prevent the skin on my dog from drying out?
To manage canine allergies, veterinarians typically combine various therapy approaches.
Some issues, like taking too many baths, are simple to manage. As long as those elements are the problem, treating dry skin in dogs usually involves buying a humidifier to use during cold, dry weather, using a shampoo that has been authorized by a veterinarian, and cutting back on bathing frequency. Some dog owners moisturize their dogs’ skin to help relieve dry skin. Talk to your veterinarian about a nutrition plan and any supplements he suggests so that you can provide your dog the nutrients he needs for a healthy coat and skin by switching to a high-quality diet.
Preventing Dry Skin on Dogs
The adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” holds true when it comes to canine skin diseases. There are a few things you can do to prevent dry skin in dogs, even if some breeds are more susceptible to it than others:
How can I naturally hydrate my dog’s dry skin?
Now that you are somewhat familiar with the signs of dry skin in dogs, it is time to investigate various DIY treatments. The following nine straightforward remedies will help relieve your dog’s dry skin:
A Well-Balanced Diet
From the outside in, ideal skin and coat health can be attained. Therefore, it’s crucial to check your dog’s food before attempting any other treatments.
Your dog needs a balanced meal that is full of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates as well as lots of water to stay hydrated. Any of these vital elements must be present in your dog’s food in order to prevent dry skin and other health issues. In particular, fats are crucial for keeping healthy, hydrated skin.
Coconut Oil
Some dogs can get dry skin even when they are fed a healthy diet. In these situations, coconut oil is a fantastic DIY dog dry skin cure. It has strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects in addition to making a superb natural moisturizer. To hydrate and relieve your dog’s dry skin, simply warm the oil between your palms.
Since most dogs merely want to lick it off, using any form of topical ointment can be challenging for many dog owners. However, coconut oil also works to moisturize your dog’s skin from the inside out, even if your dog does lick at it.
Vitamin E Oil
Another healthy oil that is excellent for hydrating your dog’s skin is vitamin E. Direct application of the oil will hydrate and speed up the healing process for dry skin spots.
Vitamin E, another antioxidant, can be given orally to your dog to help reduce inflammation and shield its cells from harm.
Chamomile or Green Tea Bath
Green tea and chamomile both help calm irritated and swollen skin. One tea bag should be brewed in an 8-ounce glass of water, then the tea bag should be allowed to cool. The tea bag can then be used as needed to treat hot spots or irritated, dry patches.
You can run a warm bath with many tea bags steeped in it for your dog if they have dry, itchy skin all over their body. Remove the tea bags after a few minutes and let your dog soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Dogs with yeast infections may develop dry, itchy skin. A fantastic home cure for dogs with dry skin is apple cider vinegar, which can aid your dog’s skin bacteria and get rid of yeast buildup.
Apply a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water with a cotton ball or spray bottle to any areas that are particularly dry. One word of warning: do not apply this solution if your dog has scratched or rubbed raw places into their skin because it will hurt and sting.
Oatmeal Bath
Avenanthramides and phenols, which are anti-inflammatory ingredients found in oatmeal, aid in relieving and defending the skin against irritation. The protective barrier that oatmeal forms on your dog’s skin helps it retain moisture.
Depending on the size of your dog, grind between a third and a cup of oats in a grinder or food processor until they are a fine powder. Then, combine the powder with a warm bath until the water appears milky. To improve the moisturizing effects even further, mix in a cup of milk or a tablespoon of olive oil.
Olive Oil
Another hydrating oil that helps to soothe and preserve dry skin is olive oil. Veterinarians frequently advise adding olive oil to your dog’s regular meals, while it can also be used topically to moisturize your dog’s skin like other oils.
A fantastic technique to moisturize your dog’s skin and give them a lustrous, healthy coat is to add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to their food 2-3 times each week.
Plain, Unsweetened Yogurt
Even though it may not be visible, the digestive system is the root of many skin problems in dogs. In an imbalanced microbiome, yeast and dangerous germs can grow on your dog’s skin.
As a probiotic, yogurt can assist your dog’s GI system stay in balance thanks to the beneficial bacteria it contains. A spoonful or two of plain, unsweetened yogurt should be added to your dog’s food around twice a week, much like olive oil.
But remember that some dogs have a hard time digesting yogurt. Before introducing this food to your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian.
Humidifier
Similar to people, dogs frequently get dry skin due to dry air. If you have air conditioning in your home, summertime can also be dangerous for your dog’s skin. Winter can be particularly harmful.
A humidifier replenishes the moisture in your home’s air, which naturally calms your dog’s skin. However, it’s crucial to keep an eye on how your dog responds to the humidifier because overly humid settings can also cause skin issues.
Skin health
Eczema, flea allergies, contact dermatitis, and plain old itchy skin are just a few of the diseases it helps to treat in your dog’s skin.
My dog has pretty bad skin allergies and dermatitis. I started giving my dog a tablespoon of coconut oil with both of his meals at the advice of a friend. He loves it and it seems to soothe his skin irritation, but it also makes him breath better and makes his coat shine like I’ve never seen it before. Stunningly sparkly!
Coat health
Coconut oil is fantastic for your dog’s coat in addition to assisting with dry skin. It contains a lot of medium chain fatty acids, sometimes referred to as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which hydrate and shield hair protein. Caprylic acid is a typical MCT that also helps a number of skin disorders in people.
Boosts the immune system
Their immune system is strengthened by coconut oil. 40% of coconut oil contains lauric acid, an antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial substance. It also encourages thyroid wellness!
Mess-free
Most coconut oil is solid at room temperature, making administration simple and uncomplicated. Additionally, it’s the ideal method for giving children medications. Put the pill into some oil with a tiny spoon, then watch your dog gobble it up.
To prevent infection and soothe hot spots, dog owners can use it directly on their skin or injuries. Its anti-inflammatory qualities also aid in the healing of wounds. It’s like Neosporin in nature!
Can my dog use coconut oil?
Your dog’s skin will retain moisture and not flake with the help of coconut oil. If applied lightly, it also helps a dog’s coat look cleaner. Simply apply a very small amount to your hands, smooth the coat gently, run your fingers through the fur, and massage some down onto the skin to use it topically. You don’t have to worry if dogs lick themselves after using coconut oil on their fur because it may be given orally.
What oil is beneficial for dogs with dry skin?
Your dog might not be getting all the nourishment he needs by eating his regular diet, just like you might not. While regular dog food might come packed with plenty of necessary nutrients, you can add some healthy oils jam packed with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to your dog’s diet to support optimum health.
We’ll explain how to choose these organic oils for dogs in this straightforward guide, along with best practices and feeding advice.
What are the healthiest oils for dogs?
Fish oil: According to Nancy Scanlan, DVM, CVA, MSFP, executive director of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation, fish oil contains EPA and DHA, omega-3 fatty acids that help with arthritis and also have some anti-cancer properties. Additionally, fish oil can help your dog’s memory.
“According to Dr. Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVA, CVJ, a certified veterinary acupuncturist with California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness, the main reason I recommend fish-oil based omega-3 fatty aids is to yield a natural anti-inflammatory effect that can help reduce overall inflammation in the body and possibly decrease my patients’ reliance on medications aimed at reducing inflammation and pain (CPAW).
Krill oil: As opposed to fish oil, which often comes from fish higher up the food chain like salmon, krill oil originates from microscopic organisms that are closer to the bottom of the food chain. As a result, krill oil is less likely to contain mercury contamination, according to Dr. Scanlan. In addition to its numerous advantages, it also contains EPA and DHA, which will assist your pet have healthier skin and joints.
“All dogs are omnivores with a tendency toward carnivory, hence non-vegetarian oils like fish and krill are best absorbed by canines, according to Dr. Mahaney.
Extra-virgin coconut oil has gained popularity since it’s a better option for people than more processed saturated and trans fats. The same is true for dogs. Dogs have also been shown to benefit from coconut oil in terms of weight loss, increased energy levels, and relief from dry skin. Additionally, it will help your dog’s terrible breath!
Flaxseed oil: When it comes to promoting heart health, this oil is comparable to wild fish due to its high content of alpha linolenic omega-3s. Like many other beneficial oils, flaxseed oil can improve renal and blood pressure function as well as mobility for dogs with arthritis.
How can I serve my dogs healthy oils?
The majority of oils are either free oil or in capsule form. However, once an oil jar is opened and exposed to the air, it may start to get rancid; for this reason, capsules are typically preferable, according to Dr. Scanlan.
According to Dr. Mahaney, “Hearty-eating dogs may readily ingest a pill or given portion of liquid out of their diet. He continues that while you can pour liquid oils over dry foods like kibble, they generally blend best with moist food.
Additionally, it is usually recommended to take capsules with moist food. Dr. Mahaney explains that if the capsule is pierced, pressed, and blended into moist food or a soft treat, pets who are unable to swallow the capsule can still take medication in liquid form.
Do these oils have any negative effects for dogs?
Weight gain might result from consuming too much oil, according to Dr. Scanlan. She continues, “In a susceptible person, a huge quantity of oil all at once can cause pancreatitis, especially if they are overweight.
If you don’t adequately supplement with any more vitamin E, eating too much oil might potentially result in a vitamin E deficit.
Fish oil can delay the time it takes for blood to clot, so it’s best to cease using it at least five days before and five days after your pet has surgery, advises Dr. Scanlan.
What’s the best way to tell quality when looking for these oils?
According to Dr. Scanlan, businesses that use the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) seal must demonstrate that their goods have undergone laboratory testing to ensure that each capsule has the proper kind and quantity of oil. Take note of this seal.
How do I know if oils are right for my dog?
According to Dr. Mahaney, if your dog is eating commercial pet food and has skin issues (like skin flaking or a dull coat), inflammatory diseases (like cancer and arthritis), or organ system damage, then talk to your vet about possibly supplementing your dog’s diet with oils that are high in omega-3 and omega-6 nutrients.
