How to Keep Your Dog’s Skin Moisturized
Does your dog suffer from dry, flaky skin? We have some important tips and information to share about what can cause these issues, as well as what products can potentially help to alleviate dry skin conditions!
To start with, what could be the cause of your dog’s dry skin? The best way to make sure is to get an appointment with your vet when you see the signs of dry skin occurring. This is especially important because dry, flaky skin on a dog can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.
There are several possible conditions that could be causing your dog’s dry skin. Your dog could be suffering from allergies, including food, environmental or seasonal allergies. Parasites, such as mites or scabies, can also dry skin on your dog. There are certain skin infections that can lead to dry skin, such as Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism, autoimmune diseases and cancer. If you believe your dog’s dry skin could be linked to one of these conditions, or if you are not sure what is causing the issue, it would be best to talk to your vet about your concerns.
Some dog breeds are simply more prone to having skin problems, such as hairless dog breeds like the Chinese Crested, and larger breeds that grow quickly like the Siberian Husky. The dry skin your dog is experiencing could also be due to cold weather, bathing your dog too frequently or not completely washing out all of the product used during the bath, bathing your dog with the wrong type of shampoo, or not providing your dog with proper nutrition.
Since dry skin can present differently for different types of dogs, keep an eye out for the following symptoms: itching, flakiness, pimples or sores, hair patchiness, redness/inflammation, increased odor or oiliness, and scabbing.
Depending on what the particular cause is of your dog’s dry skin, there are several treatment plans that your vet may recommend. For example, if your dog has been diagnosed with a food allergy, they may suggest an elimination diet to find out which food is causing the issue. Your vet may also propose adding Omega 3 and Omega 6 to your dog’s diet–these are very beneficial for skin and coat health. If the issue is something that is easy to resolve, such as bathing your dog too frequently, you can take steps to alleviate the issue by bathing your dog less frequently, using a humidifier, and even using a dog moisturizer.
At The Dog Buzz, our experts have several recommended products that they rely on when it comes to dry skin. They use products ranging from a mild oatmeal shampoo paired with an almond conditioner to specific Moisturizing Spa Packages that include the use of a moisturizing shampoo, conditioner and conditioning spray. Conditioning sprays can also be great to use between baths. They would recommend speaking to your groomer about any skin issues your dog is experiencing so that your groomer can help you decide which products would be best. We hope this helps!