How to Prevent Coat Dryness in Dogs

The appearance of a dog's coat tells a lot about their overall health. A pet's coat is dry if the hair is stiff or brittle, there is no shine or they are scratching or shedding more than usual. A dry coat is not usually a serious problem and can be corrected with a few simple solutions.

Instructions

1. The best way to keep a pet's coat healthy is to feed it high-quality food. The additives and preservatives in many commercial brands can dry the coat. Some top-quality all-natural brands available at pet food stores are Innova, Solid Gold, PetGuard Premium or Wysong.

2. Improve their digestion. If a pet is not absorbing nutrients in its food, it may show up as dry, brittle fur with a lot of shedding. Adding digestive enzymes made especially for pets can aid digestion. Some formulas that add enzymes include Vet-Zime, Prozyme and Florazyme.

3. Restore shine to a dog's coat with fatty acids. A combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements made especially for pets can improve the coat's overall appearance and the dog's health. Look for supplements containing fish or flax seed oil, which can also work as an anti-inflammatory. Many skin problems are caused by skin inflammation.

4. Clean, condition and brush the coat. Make sure to use products designed for dogs instead of humans, because a dog's skin and pH is different than humans. It is best to use hypoallergenic pet products that stimulate the skin to produce more oils. The action of brushing will distribute the oils throughout the coat.