How to Keep Your Puppy's Skin Moisturized
A dog’s skin and coat is a primary indicator of its overall heath. However, dry skin is common during cold, dry weather. A puppy suffering from dry skin will generally have a dull coat and flaky skin. Symptoms of dry skin include itching, scratching, licking or chewing at the skin and red patches. You can keep your puppy’s skin moisturized by offering plenty of water, providing a healthy diet, adding fish or flaxseed oil to its food, following a proper bathing and grooming regimen, applying olive oil or a moisturizing lotion to its skin and using a humidifier.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- High-quality dog food
- Fish or flaxseed oil
- Colloidal oatmeal-based dog shampoo
- Oatmeal conditioner
- Olive oil
- Sensitive skin moisturizing cream
- Soft-bristled brush
- Humidifier
Instructions
-
-
1
Provide your puppy with clean, fresh water at all times. Dehydration is a leading cause of dry skin in dogs.
-
2
Offer your puppy a diet that consists of a quality food that’s high in protein. Proper nutrition prevents allergies and dry skin. Avoid using cheap dog foods, as they typically use low-quality sources of protein, are high in preservatives and are difficult for puppies to digest.
-
-
3
Supplement your puppy’s diet with essential omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish or flaxseed oil, by mixing 1 teaspoon into your puppy’s food each day.
-
4
Bathe your puppy only when necessary, using colloidal oatmeal shampoo, which relieves dry skin and soothes irritation. Avoid over-bathing, as it can dry and irritate skin.
-
5
Pat your puppy dry with a clean, soft towel to remove excess water, which can be drying to its skin.
-
6
Apply olive oil to your puppy’s skin. Mix 5 to 10 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 cup of water and gently rub it into the hair. Distribute the oil through the follicles by tenderly brushing the hair. That will alleviate itching and enable your puppy’s skin to retain moisture.
-
7
Rub an ample amount of sensitive-skin moisturizing cream on your puppy’s skin, concentrating on the stomach area. That will protect its skin during cold weather.
-
8
Brush your puppy daily with a soft-bristled brush. That will remove dander and dead hair, and distribute the skin and coat’s natural moisturizing oils.
-
9
Limit your puppy’s outdoor activities during cold weather and use a home humidifier.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Avoid flea and tick shampoos. They’re harsh and drying to a puppy’s sensitive skin and will cause irritation and flaking.
Use shampoos and conditioners made for dogs. Human shampoos can be harsh to a puppy’s skin because dogs have different pH levels.
Consult with your veterinarian if your puppy’s skin continues to remain dry and flaky or if it becomes red and unusual rashes or bumps appear. If the problem persists or worsens despite diet and proper care of its skin and coat, it may have a more serious underlying health issue that must be treated by your veterinarian.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Three Lions/Valueline/Getty Images
