Aside from being an important aspect of your dog's overall physical health, a shiny coat of fur helps them look its best. Today, our vets in Kennesaw offer some practical tips for dog coat care and maintenance in this post.
Caring For Your Dog's Coat
Part of keeping your dog happy and healthy is ensuring their coat and grooming needs get enough attention and maintenance. From bathing them regularly to providing quality food, protecting them from parasites, adding a few extras to their routine, and consulting your vet, a lot can be done to keep their fur looking and feeling great.
Since a dog's coat can point to his overall health, it should always be shiny and clean. In this post, we'll explore 6 ways to keep your dog's coat healthy.
1. Regularly Bathe Your Dog
Any seasoned dog owner who has a dog with a longer coach can tell you all about the challenges of keeping up with pet grooming.
While dogs don't need baths every day (in fact, bathing your pup too often can be bad for their coat since it removes necessary natural skin oils), their coats do need regular cleaning and maintenance. If your dog is more on the adventurous, active, boisterous side, its coat is likely getting dirtier than another dog who prefers naps on the couch.
Since they never take their coats off, most dogs end up with a lot of dirt and debris in their fur. One or two baths per month should be enough to keep their coat healthy, shiny, and properly groomed. If you'd rather not take on the job of bathing your pup yourself, we offer professional dog grooming services that include bathing, full haircuts, nail grooming, and other aspects of physical maintenance to keep your pup looking and feeling adorable.
Pet grooming services and routine exams often go together, because issues with the coat or skin may be spotted during a regular grooming appointment that prompts a visit to the vet or a vet may recommend our grooming services to ease the burden of the regular upkeep of your pet's coat.
2. Brush Your Dog's Coat
No matter the type or length of your dog's fur, we recommend brushing your pooch's coat every few days to keep it healthy and free of mats (tangled fur or hair). Take the time to find a brush that's appropriate for your dog's breed. Pick up a de-shedding brush at your favorite pet supply store if your pup sheds a lot. These brushing sessions can even provide bonding moments for you and your four-legged friend. What could be better than treating them to a relaxing brushing session - while making sure they look their best?
3. Protect Against Parasites
Parasites like ticks and fleas can irritate a dog's skin, triggering them to bite and scratch. As you might imagine, this can easily damage a pup's coat and cause health issues - a few reasons to ensure your dog is protected against parasites. One way to do that is to make sure they are up to date on vaccinations and parasite prevention.
4. Feed Your Dog Quality Food
A nutritious diet is a great foundation for a strong, healthy body - inside and outside, including your dog's coat. When buying your dog's food, take the extra time to look at the list of ingredients. You might even decide to add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to your pooch's food to help their coat get some extra glow. Even healthy foods can be treats! One example is raw carrots, which are healthy and good for your pup's teeth.
5. Supplement Omega Fatty Acids
Omega fatty acids such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 are good for your dog's fur. While Omega-3 can help ease arthritis pain and help improve your dog's mood, Omega-6 can help fight infections. These are both most effective when given fresh. We also caution against going overboard with Omega acid supplements, as they could cause stomach upset. If you are considering adding any supplements or other aspects to your dog's diet, we recommend consulting your vet first.
6. Add Oatmeal To Your Dog's Bath
Oatmeal has some anti-inflammatory properties, making it an oft-used at-home remedy to soothe the skin of dogs who suffer from allergies to ease itchiness, prevent the urge to scratch, and help them relax. While more serious skin and coat issues will require a veterinarian's attention, oatmeal baths can help your dog's coat maintain its glow.
7. Ask Your Vet for Help
Lastly, if your dog seems to have a scratching habit or a bad itch, it could indicate skin allergies are an issue. Because every dog is different and will require a unique combination of potential treatments, food, and medication, it's best to ask your vet about these problems. We are here to address any questions and concerns you may have during your pet's annual checkup or between visits.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.