How to Prevent Dry Skin, Flaking Skin in Dogs During the Winter

It's not uncommon to see a dog itching and scratching his skin a bit more during the dry, cold winter months. Other symptoms of dry skin in dogs include flaky skin and doggy dandruff. Follow these steps to treating and preventing dry, flaky skin in dogs this winter.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Veterinary Care
• A Good Quality Skin and Coat Supplement for Dogs
• A Humidifier
• Olive Oil
• A Winter Parka for the Dog or Anther Item of Wind-Proof Dog Clothing

1. RULE OUT OTHER CAUSES OF THE DOG'S DRY, FLAKY SKIN: Skin parasites, skin fungal infections, food allergies, and contact dermatitis are a few canine health and skin conditions that can cause symptoms that mimic those associated with dry skin due to the winter cold and dryness. Visit the veterinarian to rule out skin parasites in the dog, along with any other skin conditions or diseases.

2. AVOID BATHING THE DOG: Bathing and shampooing a dog's fur and skin strips away the skin's natural oils, promoting dryness. For this reason, dogs who live in cold, dry winter climates should not get a bath more than once a month. Frequent bathing, even with medicated dog shampoos, is a primary cause of dry, itchy skin in dogs.

3. KEEP THE HOUSE HUMID: Dry, winter air saps the moisture from the dog's skin - just like it dries out human skin. Dogs who live in homes with forced hot air heating systems are going to be especially prone to dry, flaky skin. To help heal and prevent dry skin in dogs (and humans!), use humidifiers inside the home. Place a couple of large humidifiers in main living areas of the home, and also place humidifiers in bedrooms. This will also make the home's heating system more effective, as the air will "feel" warmer when it's humid, allowing for lower thermostat settings.

4. DRESS THE DOG IN A JACKET FOR WALKS: Cold air and wind are very drying to the dog's skin. Avoid the effects of the drying winter wind by dressing your dog in a warm winter parka or other similar item of dog apparel. The key is to prevent the wind from contacting the dog's skin, so look for fabrics that will limit the effects of the wind.

5. ADD A SKIN AND COAT SUPPLEMENT TO THE DOG'S MEALS: Add a quality skin and coat supplement to the dog's food or give the syrup directly by mouth a couple times per day. Skin and coat supplements work incredibly well to eliminate itchy, dry, flaky skin in dogs by moisturizing the dog's skin from the inside out.

6. MIX SOME OLIVE OIL INTO THE DOG'S FOOD: For severe dry skin and flaky skin in dogs, add olive oil to the dog's food or soak a piece of bread in olive oil and serve this with the dog's meal. The olive oil also helps to moisturize the dog's skin, warding off dryness, flakiness and itching. A small amount of oil can also be rubbed into the dog's skin to help heal dry, chapped skin. It's edible too, so the oil won't harm the dog if he licks it off his skin.

Tips & Warnings

• Rule out other causes of itchy skin or flaky skin in dogs. Parasites are a common cause of itchy, dry, flaky skin in dogs and no amount of home treatment will improve the dog's skin condition if parasites are to blame - anti-parasite medication like Ivermectin will be required to kill off the parasites, thereby allowing the dog's skin to heal.
• Look out for skin cracking in cases of severe dry skin in dogs. For cases with cracked skin, this will require twice-daily disinfecting with Betadine and application of some antibiotic ointment to ward off infection.
• Sores and scratches may form on the dog's skin if the dog's skin is extremely itchy. As in the case of cracked skin, these sores will require twice-daily disinfecting and dressing to help promote healing and prevent infection.