How to Prevent an Oily Dog Coat Naturally
There are some dog breeds that naturally have oily coats, like the Yorkshire terrier. Some breeds secrete too much oil and need frequent baths to keep their coats clean. However, most dogs should not need to be bathed more than once a month. If your dog's coat looks greasy or dull with flakes in the fur, or the fur smells bad, treat your pet from the inside.
Instructions
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Feed a natural diet. The first step to maintaining your pet's health and coat is feeding a premium quality dog food. Many commercial foods contain chemical preservatives, artificial flavors and dyes that can disrupt the normal balance of the skin. Two commercial foods that are preservative free are Innova and Wysong, available at pet food stores and online.
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Detoxify his body. Everyday our pets are exposed to pesticides and herbicides on our lawns, smog and exhaust chemicals in the air they breathe, and chlorine and fluoride added to our water. Harmful substances that enter the body can be expelled through the skin. A modified fast can de-gunk your pet's system and return his coat to normal. For one day, feed your dog white or brown rice cooked in low sodium chicken broth. Add a heaping tablespoon or two of cooked meat and serve on your regular feeding schedule.
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Add minerals to her diet. An additional way to cleanse the body is with an herbal supplement called Hokamix. It acts like a tonic to build-up the body to help rid itself of harmful substances. It is available through veterinarians and online (see Resources).
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Feed the skin the correct amount of essential fatty acids (EFTs). Your dog's skin requires the right balance of EFTs to stay healthy. There are commercially prepared essential fatty acid supplements formulated for dogs. They can be purchased in health food stores, pet stores or online (see Resources).
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Use a degreasing pet shampoo. No matter what the cause of your dog's oily coat, regular bathing will help. Use a degreasing dog shampoo available in pet supply stores or health food stores. Some contain strong chemicals like benzoyl peroxide, but natural shampoos are more gentle on the system. These can contain ingredients such as tea tree oil, oatmeal or peppermint, all of which have a degreasing effect on the coat.
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Tips & Warnings
Only use shampoo on your dog that is formulated for dogs. People shampoo has a different pH and is not good for your dog's coat or skin.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by publicdomainpictures.net
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Comments
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larad
Aug 04, 2009
Hi, I'm a vet nurse and would just like to say, please do not use any dog or cat shampoo with tea-tree oil in it. Although tea tree oil is natural and may be fine for human skin, dog and cat skin is not human skin, it is thinner and more sensitive, as it has a fur coat to protect it! Tea tree oil is quite a powerful substance, and will strip and dry your animal's skin, resulting in an inbalance in the natural oils and flora on your pets skin; this equals skin infections and mad itching! Many pet shampoos have never been tested for safety on animal skin; they legally don't have to. So check the bottle and only buy shampoo that has been tested for safe use on animals. Also, don't start your pet on any new diet or supplements without first checking with your vet, to prevent exacerbating any pre-existing medical conditions. Lara
