It is a pleasure to have pet dogs especially if they have smooth skin and hair. They help to keep your pup healthy and comfortable. Lustrous fur and silky skin protect your pup from various parasites and viruses. They help to preserve a normal body temperature. The best way to make sure that your dog’s skin and coat are healthy is by taking care of your lovable pet’s nutritional needs.
How Does Healthy Skin Protect the Pups?
Glossy fur looks elegant and attractive on your dog; however, you need to take good care of their skin.
Healthy skin can heal more quickly when your pet gets accidental cuts and scrapes. They also keep your pup away from fleas, mites, and lice.
The skin contains nerves that help your pet to sense heat, cold or pain while the thick coat of your pup helps to protect against extreme temperatures.
If the coat of your pet gets patchy, thin, or dry, and the skin loses its bounciness, your pup then loses the benefits the skin and coat provide.
Signs of Healthy Skin
The condition of your dog’s skin and coat are indicators of his health. Healthy skin should be smooth and supple, not oily, flaky, or rough.
A healthy coat should be glossy, without dandruff or baldness, and free from parasites. They should neither be delicate nor rough.
Nutrition for Healthy Skin and Hair
As a pet owner, you need to include several basic nutritional components in your pup’s diet to keep his skin and coat healthy. Nutrients like protein, fats, vitamins and minerals are essential for your dog’s health.
Lack of protein in your pup’s diet may make his hair dry, weak or brittle and may fall out. Your pup’s skin has tough membranes made of proteins and fats. Deficiency in these nutrients can weaken the cell membranes allowing water to escape and letting bacteria and viruses penetrate quickly.
As a pet owner, you have to make sure that the following nutrients are included to keep your pup’s coat and skin healthy.
Essential fatty acids
Healthy fats play an important role in keeping your dog’s coat in fit shape. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids keep skin cells and cell membranes strong and healthy and protect fur from extreme damage.
Linoleic acid also helps to strengthen your dog’s skin and coat health. They are found in chicken fat and vegetable oils such as corn and soybean oils.
Fatty acids are also found in fish oils that help to enhance skin and coat health. If your puppy has a low-fat diet, then he may develop coarse dry hair and skin abrasions that may lead to infection. Your pet may also develop a dandruffy dull coat.
Insufficient linoleic acid in food may also lead to hair loss, oily skin or skin swelling in your pup.
Protein for your pup
Your pup needs a diet rich in protein as it helps the skin and coat to replenish as the pup grows and sheds. Some common protein food for your dog includes chicken, eggs, fish and their by-products.
You can also give plant-based protein to your pup like grains, oil seeds, quinoa, buckwheat and cheese.
Vitamins for desired nutrition
Different vitamins such as A, B, C, and E, help your pup’s skin and fur to grow and repair easily. They improve fat metabolism that helps your pup to make the maximum benefit of the nutrition it receives.
Vitamin A helps in skin growth, vitamin C helps to heal wounds and vitamin E shelters skin cells from oxidant damage.
Fish oil, carrots, sweet potatoes, chia seeds, kale, and pumpkins are some of the superfoods that you can include in your pup’s diet.
Minerals for healthy skin and coat
Your pup also needs minerals for healthy skin and a healthy coat. Zinc is necessary to back healthy proteins and fat metabolism while copper is essential to produce the pigments in your pet’s coat to keep it flexible and glowing.
Biotin helps in the utilization of protein while Riboflavin (B2) helps your dog metabolize fat and protein.
Foods that are high in minerals for dogs include bone meat, turkey, muscle and organ meats, sardines, wheat bran, vegetables, beans, molasses and spinach.
Supplements from stores
Pet stores offer a variety of supplements to improve skin and coat health. For instance, some dogs may suffer from scaly skin and may require extra vitamin A.
If your pup has crusting on the skin and has zinc deficiency, you can give a supplement to your dog. However, it is best to consult a veterinarian if you are starting your dog on supplements.
Healthy treats in your pup’s meals
You can consider giving healthy treats in your pup’s meals for extra vitamins and minerals for skin and coat conditioning.
You can choose your pet’s diet to support healthy skin and coat A nutritious diet will help keep your pet’s skin and coat healthy. You can also seek the help of your veterinarian about your pet’s dietary needs. While buying different pet foods, be sure to read the labels and purchase foods that have easily digestible sources of protein and fatty acids for your pet.
Overall, a well-balanced, healthy diet will help your pet to have healthy skin and coat. If your pet has dietary restrictions, due to food allergies, or sensitivities, it is still vital to be sure that you give your pup the proper nutrition that it requires.
Regular grooming can help you to know the condition of your pet’s fur and skin. Adjust your pet’s diet gently and gradually. You can try to improve your pup’s daily diet and nutrition, and within no time, you will be surprised to see the healthier and more luxurious skin and coat of your pet
