Table of Contents
There’s nothing better than relaxing and petting your canine companion’s soft, silky coat after a long day.
It can be one of the best stress busters out there and a great way to bond with your pet.
But what happens when your dog’s skin and coat are unhealthy?
This can definitely make petting your furry friend significantly less enjoyable (for both of you)!
For this reason, it’s important to understand why skin and coat health is so vital – not only for when you pet your dog, but for the dog’s sake as well.
What Does a Healthy Coat and Skin Look Like?
A good indication of your dog’s overall health is the condition of the skin and coat.
A healthy coat should be smooth and shiny, not coarse or brittle.
When it comes to your dog’s skin, it should appear clear and supple, there should be no areas that appear flaky, bumpy, or greasy.
Proper nutrition and regular grooming will help care for your pooch’s coat from the inside, out.
When it comes to nutrition, there are many quality dog foods on the market, but it may be necessary to also provide your dog with a skin and coat supplement for the best results.
How is Your Dog’s Skin and Coat Influenced by Nutrition?
Most of us know that skin is the body’s largest organ, of which the cells turn over quickly.
For nearly all dog breeds, the skin is completely covered by hair or fur.
This is either shed regularly, or constantly growing, depending on whether your dog is a shedding breed or not.
To ensure your dog’s skin and coat remain healthy, you must make sure your dog receives proper levels of nutrition.
This requires a balanced diet containing fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, an appropriate number of calories, and high-quality digestible proteins.
When you feed your dog foods that contain poor quality nutrients, the body’s needs will not be met.
This causes the kidneys and liver to work harder to clear the waste products that are indigestible.
The first thing you must consider when choosing a quality diet is what stage of life your dog is in.
For instance, is your dog a puppy, adult, or a senior? Also keep in mind your dog’s health status.
You’ll need to choose food and supplements based on these considerations.
If your dog’s diet is inadequate you may notice his coat is dry, dull, and sheds more than normal.
To supplement the extra nutrients it’s a great idea to choose the best skin and coat supplement for dogs that contains certain ingredients.
Let’s take a look at essential nutrients for healthy skin and coat.
Essential Ingredients of a Good Dog Skin and Coat Supplement
When it comes to vitamins for dogs skin and coat, it’s important to read the label, because not all dog supplements for shiny coat are created equal.
Here’s a list of the ingredients you should look for.
A good supplement doesn’t necessarily need to contain every one of them, but should be a good mix of most.
Zinc
If you notice your dog’s skin appears red, irritated, or scaly, it can be caused by a dietary deficiency.
Finding a dog supplement that contains zinc can help fix these issues.
Flaxseed
Omega-3 fatty acids are also very important.
Flaxseed is a great plant-based source that can be found in certain foods and supplements.
Many products that contain fish oil, also contain flaxseed.
These nourishing fats are vital for good overall skin and coat health.
Additionally, the fiber content helps keep your dog’s digestive tract operating proficiently.
Biotin
Biotin is also known as vitamin H.
This is an important nutrient for both you and your dog, as they help metabolize amino acids, carbs, and fat.
Biotin is one of the best supplements to keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy and supple.
In fact, studies have shown that dog supplements containing biotin will help with issues such as hair loss, dermatitis, and dull coat.
Vitamin E
If you want to make your dog’s coat shine, vitamin E is a must-have.
It acts as a direct nutrient to the fur and skin.
If your dog has a deficiency of this vitamin, you may begin to notice skin lesions, dandruff, and dryness of the skin.
Veterinarians commonly recommend supplements containing vitamin E for dogs suffering from flea allergy dermatitis.
When dogs are sick, this vitamin has been proven to speed recovery times, and has high anti-inflammatory properties as it restores the luster and health of the coat and offers soothing relief to skin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can’t hurt to begin giving your dog a supplement for skin and coat.
You’ll notice results in as little as a few weeks.
Not only will petting your dog once again be enjoyable, but your dog will thank you too.
You’ll notice your dog scratches and sheds less, which cuts down on the potential for skin-related conditions.
If you’re looking for the best skin and coat supplement for dogs, check out our Maximum Skin & Coat supplement. It’s a beef-flavored chew that tastes great and is perfect for dogs of all breeds and sizes!
