Your dog’s skin is their largest organ, and their skin and coat work together to keep them healthy and protected. A healthy coat is the first sign of a healthy dog. So, it’s essential to take extra care of their beautiful coat. Not just to keep it soft and shiny, but for overall health and well-being.
We’ve explored some of our top tips to maintain your dog’s shiny, healthy coat, both inside and out.
1. Frequent Brushing
Frequent brushing helps to maintain a healthy dog coat regardless of the length. While you’ll find long or coarse coats need brushing every 1-2 days, shorthaired breeds will still benefit from brushing once or twice a week – or more often for dogs with an active, outdoors lifestyle.
While brushing the fur removes and prevents matting in long, thick coats, there are many more benefits. Brushing removes loose hair, dead skin, dirt and debris to keep the coat and skin healthy. Brushing also helps to evenly spread your dog’s natural oils over their fur for a shiny coat that stays cleaner for longer.
Make regular brushing part of your dog’s routine, so they grow to love it. For long-haired, smelly or sensitive dogs, our dog grooming conditioning spray detangles the fur and nourishes the coat. The anti-viral and anti-fungal ingredients instantly soothe the skin and leave your dog smelling fresh in between baths.
2. Regular Baths
Regularly bathing your dog is an essential part of keeping their coat healthy and shiny. But how often is too often? There are no strict rules on how often you should bathe your dog. It’ll be highly dependent on your dog and how much mischief they get up to on their daily walks. If your pup loves muddy puddles, don’t be afraid to bathe them more often.
Using a natural dog shampoo regularly will remove dirt and neutralise nasty odours. But it doesn’t stop at dirt and odour. Choosing the right shampoo for your dog can keep their coat healthy. A shampoo containing natural moisturising ingredients like oatmeal not only cleans the coat, it soothes dry and itchy skin and hydrates the coat.
If your dog suffers from allergies, an anti-itch shampoo can aid itchy skin conditions and keep both their skin and coat nourished. Soothing the skin prevents scratching and promotes healthy skin, which is essential for healthy hair growth. Incorporate a natural shampoo into your dog’s grooming routine for a healthy, glossy coat.
3. Flea and Tick Protection
Flea and tick prevention is an essential part of your dog’s grooming routine. Not only are fleas and ticks itchy, but they can cause skin conditions amongst other potential health issues. Fleas and ticks aren’t just bad news for your dog’s beautiful coat; they can impact their overall health.
Using a natural flea and tick repellent protects your dog safely. Just remember to apply frequently to deter fleas, ticks and other biting pests. For more information about flea prevention, read our recent blog post about how to repel fleas naturally.
4. Healthy Diet
A healthy, shiny coat is maintained from the inside out. Ensure your dog is getting a nutrient-rich diet with all the vitamins and minerals they need for a glossy coat. Some of the key nutrients they’ll need are:
- Omega-3 – Dogs rely on their diet for this essential fatty acid. Vital from puppyhood and beyond, Omega-3 maintains healthy skin and coat, plus brain function, vision and much more. You’ll find it in fish oil.
- Omega-6 - Dogs need Omega-6 fatty acids for growth, healthy skin and coat, and to support immune health, amongst other benefits. You’ll find it in vegetable oils and lean meat, like chicken.
- Protein – Your dog’s coat is about 95% protein, so it’s essential for healthy skin and coat production. Without enough protein, your dog’s coat will become brittle, and their skin will be more vulnerable to infections. Meats like chicken, turkey, beef and fish are excellent sources of protein.
5. Coat and Skin Supplements
Supplements are an easy way to ensure your dog is getting all the proper nutrients. They shouldn’t be used as a replacement for good quality, nutritious foods – more as a top-up. Choose a supplement specifically designed to maintain healthy skin and coat.
Our natural skin and coat supplements come in a tasty bite-size treat, making them ideal for all breeds and ages (from 12 weeks old). They’re rich in Omega 3, Omega 6, DHA and EPA to maintain healthy, moisturised skin and a shiny coat.
Explore our full range of natural dog products to protect and nourish them from the inside out. For more information about our supplements, visit our natural supplements page.