Did you know that almost half of all dogs will experience dry skin at some point in their lives? Dry skin is a common issue for dogs, but there are many ways to treat it.
One of the best ways to treat dry skin in dogs is with olive oil or fish oil supplements. These oils provide fatty acids and omega-3s that can help to improve the skin’s moisture content and overall health.
Another great way to treat dry skin in dogs is with a humidifier. This will help to add moisture to the air, which will, in turn, help to keep your dog’s skin hydrated. You can find humidifiers at most home improvement stores or online retailers.
7. Add Fish Oil Supplements
Fish oil supplements are a great way to add some extra moisture to your dog’s diet and help with its dry skin problems. Adding fish oil to your dog’s food can help moisturize its skin from the inside out, and it can also help reduce inflammation and promote healthy joint function.
If you’re looking for an easy and effective solution, try adding liquid fish oil directly to your dog’s food. This will be easier on your dog’s stomach than pills or capsules, and it is also more likely to lead to consistent dosing as well.
6. Get A Humidifier
A humidifier helps with your dog’s dry skin by adding moisture to the air in your home. This can be a good way to help relieve your dog’s itchy skin.
This can be particularly helpful during the winter months when the air is typically drier. Just be sure to keep an eye on the humidity level in your home so that it doesn’t get too high, which can also cause problems for your dog.
5. Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Dogs need water too, and not feeding them enough is a common mistake made by both newbie and veteran dog owners. They actually have daily water requirements, which you should definitely follow to avoid dehydration and, by extension, dry skin. By keeping your dog hydrated, you will heal its dry and flaky skin from the inside with astonishing results.
The amount of water needed per day depends on the age, size, and level of activity of the dog. Small dogs can survive on 250 to 500ml of water per day, while large dogs may need up to 2 liters or more. The best thing to do is to provide water with every meal and let your dog drink at will.
You should also consider introducing wet foods into the diet as you deal with the situation. This does not mean that the pooch will not need water. However, it lowers the daily required amount by offering supplementary hydration.
In addition to keeping your pooch hydrated to deal with dry skin, you have to replace any water losses from vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive sweating from heat intolerance. Usually when illnesses are involved, it is best to consult your vet on your rehydrating plan, because more often than not, more water intake does not necessarily solve the problem. Electrolyte supplements may also be required.
4. Avoid Dehydrating Shampoo
To help with your dog’s dry skin, avoid dehydrating shampoos that contain ingredients such as alcohol, sulfates, and parabens. These ingredients are notorious for causing skin dryness when used in dog shampoos. They can also cause irritation which leads to contact dermatitis and eventually causes skin damage and dryness.
Instead, opt for a hypoallergenic-hydrated or oatmeal-based shampoo. These formulas are more moisturizing and can help make your dog’s skin feel much better
You could also use shampoos that are specially formulated to deal with dry and itchy skin. Isle of Dogs Coature No. 10 Dog Shampoo is perfect for the job with this in mind. It contains primrose oil and a non-harsh formula that nourishes and moisturizes your dog’s dry skin effectively.
3. Oatmeal Baths
Oatmeal works wonders when it comes to easing dry skin in dogs.
Oatmeal contains proteins that help seal in moisture while promoting restoration of natural and healthy skin structure.
Shampoos that contain oatmeal are fantastic if you want a convenient and easy fix to your dog’s skin problems. However, homemade oatmeal baths and rubs work a lot better, especially when dealing with dryness as a result of irritation from things like parasites and allergens.
One way you can give your dog these soothing benefits is by preparing an actual oatmeal bath. For this, take some oatmeal powder and add it to the dog’s bathwater. Let them soak in it for about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your dog’s size and its ability to stay still for that long. After this, wash them off with a gentle shampoo, and you should be good to go.
You could also prepare a rub or a coating mask from oatmeal for your pooch. This works really well, especially when dealing with patches of dry and irritated skin as opposed to the whole body. For this, simply create a paste by adding ground oatmeal to water in equal parts. The next step is to wet the hot spot areas and apply the paste. Leave it for up to 15 minutes, rinse it off, and you are good to go.
2. Healthy Diet
The skin is very sensitive to what the dog eats. One way this happens is by supplying the skin with nutrients needed to keep it healthy and supple. These include vitamins and healthy oils that come in particularly handy when it comes to dealing with dry skin.
The dog’s diet also affects the skin by affecting gut health. Without going into too much detail, this works through the gut-skin axis. In a nutshell, proper gut function means fewer toxins circulating around the body, which is beneficial to all the systems, especially the skin.
Both of these require a healthy diet for the dog’s sake. This means the perfect combination of quality and quantity. When it comes to quality, Ollie is a revolutionary pet wellness brand that does it way better than anyone else. They offer fantastic options with holistic formulations that will do wonders for your dog’s skin. The recipes include high-quality, organic ingredients, including fruits that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that are fantastic for restoring the dog’s skin from dryness.
Ollie’s formulas also stand out with their gut-friendly blend of ingredients, including thyme extract, chicory root, and kelp, as well as probiotics to help heal damaged skin through the gut-skin axis. The correct nourishment builds up the immune system of your dog and will do wonders to alleviate their dry skin problems, amongst other health benefits.
1. Get A Good Grooming Plan
Finally, no amount of supplements and products will ever beat good old-fashioned grooming when it comes to dealing with dry skin in dogs. This includes everything from washing and trimming to brushing and clipping nails. This is because a lot of the issues that cause skin dryness can be easily managed through proper hygiene, whether it is flea infestation or poor coat conditions.
The first and possibly most important step is to establish a good washing routine. Cleaning your pooch is important to ensure that they do not end up getting stinky or harboring troublemakers like fleas. However, washing too much could also cause trouble by stripping the skin and fur of their natural oils and causing dryness. To avoid the latter, it is recommended that a dog should be washed once every month or two.
Brushing also plays a huge role in promoting skin health. This is particularly the case with dogs that have long fur. If it gets matted, shedding increases greatly. This could cause dryness either through pulling on the skin or by exposure as more and more fur is lost.
To avoid this, brush your dog’s hair 2 to 4 times a week, depending on their fur length. Also, make sure to use brushes that are gentle on the skin. You should consider looking into the Pet Neat Dog Brush for this. It features thin but strong bristles that are perfect for detangling.
Related Questions
Why Is My Dog Itching So Much In The Winter?
Dogs itch for a number of reasons. With itching during cold seasons like winter, in particular, the irritation is a result of dry skin due to the cold and low humidity weather and is actually referred to as winter itch in dogs. The itchiness could also be a result of non-seasonal reactions like allergies and flea infestations.
What Is Folliculitis In Dogs?
Folliculitis refers to the inflammation of hair follicles in a dog’s skin. It is more often than not due to bacterial infection and is considered the most common skin infection in dogs. It could also be due to other pathogens like fungi or parasites. It causes painful itching and skin lesions, and when untreated, it can lead to severe skin damage, including scaring and fur loss.
Is Dog Dermatitis Contagious To Humans?
While dog dermatitis itself is not contagious to humans, the underlying causes of the condition can be. For example, if your dog has a bacterial or fungal infection, this can be passed on to humans.
Additionally, if your dog is infested with mites, these parasites can also cause skin irritation in humans. Therefore, it is important to seek veterinary treatment for your dog if you suspect they have dermatitis in order to prevent the spread of any potential infections.
