Keep An Eye Out For The Weather
This is both inside and outside for your pet. Dry skin can be made worse with low humidity. When the weather gets cold this winter it is not a bad idea to keep the dog inside as much is possible. The indoor weather can be just as dry, however. That is why investing in a humidifier is going to help your pet avoid problems with dry skin.
Treatment Of Dry Skin On Dogs
Once the cause of the dry skin is determined, you can begin a treatment plan for your dog. If the dry skin is because of an environmental reason, moisturizing shampoos and sprays, an increase in environmental humidity, a higher quality food and flea prevention may be necessary alongside supplements designed to improve skin moisture and health. Omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, ceramides, and regular brushing may be recommended if no specific medication is needed. If your veterinarian finds an underlying disease or infection causing dry skin, medications, dietary changes, and other treatments may be recommended.
Treating Dandruff And Dry Skin
Treating dandruff really hinges on knowing what causes it. A bit of detective work may be necessary. If symptoms are severe and your dog has raw spots, rashes, or excessive itching, make an appointment with a vet. Your dog’s caregiver will check for allergies, parasites, fungal infections, and other possible underlying conditions.
If symptoms are mild or you have a clean bill of health from the vet, it is time to look at the food you feed your best buddy, how often you bathe them, and what time of year it is. Sometimes treating dandruff is as simple as changing something in your dogs environment.
To help your dog recover from stubborn dandruff, consider trying some of the following natural treatments:
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Different Skin Problems In Dogs
Getting to the bottom of your dogs skin problem is something best left for the veterinarian to diagnose. However, its good for pet owners to understand common skin problems. Here is a guide to the most common conditions. Whether your vet has diagnosed your pet or not, its best to get your dog to their checkup so the experts can advise on an effective treatment plan.
Vitamin E Oil For Healthy Skin
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight aging, says Dr. Judy Morgan, a holistic veterinarian based in New Jersey. While your dog couldnt care less about maintaining her youthful glow, she can still benefit from Vitamin E oil. Morgan says it adds protection against UV radiation, which is especially beneficial if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors.
It can also be used to moisturize your companions dry skin. Morgan recommends massaging Vitamin E oil on your dogs coat. Vitamin E capsules can also be broken open and used on warts, calluses, or dry spots, she says, adding that there is no cause for concern if your pet licks off the small amount of the oil.
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Shedding And Hair Loss
Most pets shed hair. If youre accustomed to the seasonal fur balls blowing around your home, or the resurfacing of your pets favorite spot on the carpet, then youll know what Im talking about. But when hair loss is excessive, or your pet is starting to show bald patches, then a skin issue may be the culprit.
Canine Scabies or Mange
Mange infestations are placed in two different categories.
- Sarcoptic Mange, also known as scabies, is an infection of the skin by a parasitic mite. Its a highly contagious skin condition that will spread from one site to another on the canine body, causing the pet to be extremely itchy. Hair loss and scaly skin are common symptoms of Mange.
- Demodectic Mange is identified by an overgrowth of mites. It often affects dogs with immune disorders or if your pet is already ill and their immune system is low. Mange can also present in young dogs with underdeveloped immune systems with hair loss as the main symptom. Demodectic Mange is not contagious.
Alopecia
Alopecia is a skin disease with a few nicknames: Black Skin Disease, Adult-Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency, Adrenal Hyperplasia-like Syndrome, and more. The reason for the many terms is that the uncommon skin condition has no definite cause.
Other Conditions That Can Cause Hair Loss
- External parasites like fleas or Mange
- Lyme disease
Soothe Your Dogs Dry Skin
Dry skin is incredibly common in dogs, and while it might just be a seasonal issue, it could also indicate larger problems with your dogs health. The best practice is to be pre-emptive and ensure that everything goes in and on your pet is support their overall health. Organic, natural products and foods are a great place to start, including regular grooming and health check-ups. But if your dog is experiencing prolonged dry skin, always seek the advice of a professional vet.
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What Can Cause Dry Skin In Dogs
In some cases, your dog might be more prone to dry skin and dandruff, just like humans are. However, there is often an underlying cause. Bacterial infections of the skin , allergies, flea infestations, and yeast overgrowth can all lead to skin that appears dry. In these cases, you might also notice a smell associated with the yeast or bacteria, and the skin may be inflamed and itchy.
Hormonal conditions like hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease can also cause dry skin. If your dog is hypothyroid, you might also notice them losing hair and gaining some extra pounds. They may seem more lethargic or depressed than normal. Dogs with Cushing’s disease tend to have very thin skin and a thin fur coat due to alopecia. They also tend to drink and pant a lot and have a pot-bellied appearance. If your dog has Cushing’s for a while without treatment, they might develop sore areas of skin, where excess calcium is deposited in the skin layer.
Why Use Products Containing Cbd
CBD products are an all-natural, holistic solution to your dogs dry skin problems. How does CBD accomplish this? Every mammal on Earth has an endocannabinoid system , including your dog. Present throughout your dogs body and skin surface are cell-signaling receptors that help maintain key homeostatic properties such as mood, appetite, digestive health, and, of course, skin health.
Enter cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD. This hemp-derived cannabinoid works with your ECS to help support your dogs overall wellness and can lead to healthier skin with regular consumption. With CBD, you wont just find a solution to your dogs skin problems, but youll give your dog more soundness and general wellbeing.
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Increase Vitamin E Intake
Vitamin E supplementation can also help improve skin health, which will allow the retention of moisture, explains Dr. Michelle Burch DVM from Safe Hounds Pet Insurance, who recommends speaking with your veterinarian on appropriate dosing for your dog. âToo high dosing can lead to an upset stomach in the short term and with possible damage to the red blood cells and liver in the long term,â warns Dr. Burch.
Bathe Your Dog Properly
Use natural, mild shampoo as part of your dog’s regular grooming routine.
Labels, especially on pet grooming products, can sometimes be misleading and hint at the product being “green” or “vegan” but that doesn’t mean it’s actually good for your dog’s skin. Look for soothing, moisturizing components like oatmeal and aloe vera, such as those found in OATS Calming Shampoo and OATS Calming Conditioner.
The frequency that you bathe your dog will also play a role. How often you should bathe your dog depends on the breed, but on average you should give your dog a good scrubbing at least once every four weeks. If your dog is often outdoors and getting muddy then you’ll need to bathe them more frequently, but if they are mostly indoors and aren’t getting super dirty then once every four weeks is enough.
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Why Your Dog Is So Itchy: Allergies
Another common cause of itchy skin is allergies, which may make your dogâs skin dry, greasy, or slightly dry and oily it may be accompanied by frequent scratching, paw licking, or chewing. We are seeing significantly more cases of allergic dogs than we have in the past, and many veterinarians believe that we are experiencing an âallergy epidemic.â The reason is unclear, but some theories are the aggressive vaccination protocols that many dogs have been subjected to, poor breeding practices, and the feeding of processed pet foods.
Whatever the cause, allergies are difficult to address. In the worst cases, afflicted dogs require strong pharmaceuticals just to get some relief. Though allergies are rarely cured, early identification and intervention can keep them under control, and in some cases, can substantially diminish them.
Clinical research has shown that one important way to reduce the likelihood that dogs will develop allergies is to give them high-potency cultures of beneficial probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bifidus when they are very young. Probiotics are relatively inexpensive, absolutely safe to use, and can save both dog and pet parent tons of grief â and visits to the vet â later in life.
The Different Types Of Skin Conditions
In humans, dry, flaky skin can result from some issues, including dehydration, chronic diseases, and disorders, or side effects from medication. Dry, flaky skin in dogs is characterized by thinning hair and excessive scaling, which may also be accompanied by itchiness and redness of the underlying tissue. To treat dry, flaky skin on dogs, you need to develop a management plan that includes keeping your pet hydrated and watching for any side effects due to medications.
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Rocco & Roxie Soothe Dog Shampoo
Image courtesy Rocco & Roxie
Rocco & Roxie soothe dog shampoo is a great choice for dogs with dry skin. This product contains ingredients like oatmeal and aloe, both of which are known for their soothing properties. Rocco & Roxie soothe dog shampoo also contains jojoba oil, which is great for moisturizing the skin.
To use Rocco & Roxie soothe dog shampoo, wet your dog’s fur and massage the shampoo into their coat. Rinse thoroughly and repeat as necessary. This product is safe for dogs of all ages and breeds. It is also pH-balanced and free of fragrances, sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.
A Vet Visit Is Needed When You See Any Of The Following
- Redness. This usually indicates there is inflammation in the skin from an allergic or infectious cause.
- Crusting. These are dead cells, debris, dried red blood cells that are accumulating on the skins surface and may indicate a fungal, bacterial, or parasitic infection.
- Itchiness. Which is often caused by inflammation in the skin from parasites, allergies, bacterial, or fungal infections.
- Hair loss. This can result from the mechanical abrasion of scratching. Endocrine changes, autoimmune disorders that attack the skin and fur, parasites, or fungal infections also cause hair loss and can be diagnosed by your veterinarian.
- Odor. A strong odor is usually indicative of a yeast infection that is a common secondary infection with bacterial or other infections.
After your vet determines the underlying cause of the dry skin and other signs you are seeing in your pet, they will recommend very effective prescription medications and products.
These could include antimicrobials, immunotherapeutics, anti-inflammatories, and topical therapies such as medicated sprays and shampoos.
Hypoallergenic shampoo can work wonders. Soap-free is best!
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Cbd Products For Dogs With Dry Skin
When it comes to CBD products for your dog, dont settle for any brand. Shop with Holistapet to give your dog the best CBD products around. We make all of our products with your dogs health and safety in mind.
There are several ways you can give CBD to your dog. Here are some of the most popular CBD products to help your dog with their dry skin issues and boost their overall health:
What Is Dry Skin
Dog skin is made up of layers and the outermost layer that we see is called the epidermis. This layer is responsible for holding in moisture, creating new skin cells, providing pigmentation to the skin, and other important functions. When the epidermis is inflamed or is not adequately holding in moisture, the skin becomes dry, cracked, and flaky.
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General Information And Causes
Skin cells are continuously dying, shedding off and being replaced by new, healthy ones. Your dog will usually make sure their fur stays clean and dandruff-free by grooming themselves. A small amount of dandruff can be normal, but a large amount might indicate that your dog isnt able to groom themselves properly, or that they have a skin problem.
Lack of grooming – if your dog is developing dandruff because they cant groom themselves properly, they may be suffering from:
Use A Flea And Tick Preventative
Fleas, ticks, and other parasites are a common cause of dry skin on your dog, so its essential to use a flea and tick preventative. Many flea and tick preventives can be toxic for your pet, such as flea collars, so always choose a safe and effective option.
Ideally, the best option is to minimize your dog’s contact with fleas and ticks, such as ensuring your yard is well maintained. If you do go walking in the bush a lot then always do a tick check each time you get home to try to catch them before they cause real damage.
Of course, natural prevention only goes so far, and sometimes you might need to use something stronger to ensure your dog doesn’t end up with an infestation. Always opt for natural preventatives, and when choosing sprays or oils look for the ones with the fewest ingredients to limit your dog’s exposure to anything toxic.
Ensure your dog is fed a balanced diet full of healthy fats and proteins.
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Chamomile Or Green Tea Bath
Chamomile and green tea help soothe irritated and inflamed skin. Brew a single tea bag in an 8-ounce glass of water, then let the tea bag cool. The tea bag can then be applied to hot spots or itchy, dry patches as needed.
If your dog has dry, itchy skin all over their body, you can run a warm bath and steep several bags of tea in it. After a few minutes, remove the tea bags and let your dog soak for 5-10 minutes.
About 50% Raw Meat And Bones
It may not matter which meaty bones you use as long as your dog has no allergies and you vary what your dog is eating. Grass-fed beef is excellent, and your butcher will also be able to provide you with many of the cheap cuts of other animals that humans do not care for Chicken carcasses are another good source, and chicken wings can sometimes be found on sale. Chicken necks have a lot of fat, so if you use them, remove the skin and feed them with something else. Chicken feet are low in fat, are a great source of calcium, and also have good levels of glucosamine which keep your dogs joints healthy.
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Help A Dry Flaky Skin Problem In A Dog
It is a sad thing to see pets with dry flaky skin, and it can lead to some severe illness that could end up costing you an arm and a leg in vet fees. They require unique products because the skin does not react well to human skincare products. Read the following for more information on treating dry flaky skin on dogs.
Home Remedies For Dry Skin On Dogs
If your dogs dry skin persists and nothing seems to work, it might be time to give natural remedies a chance. You most likely already have these holistic and all-natural solutions in your home waiting to be used on your dog. Unlike common over-the-counter solutions that might do more harm than good, these home remedies for your dog can be the difference between dry skin and healthy skin.
Here are some all-natural home remedies you can use for your dogs dry skin.
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How Stress Can Cause Dry Flaky Skin
Even though we tend to associate dry, flaky skin with the cold weather season and excessive showering, there can be many reasons for this. Dogs are most susceptible, but it is possible for humans, especially if you suffer from anxiety, chronic stress, or another medical condition that causes a hormonal imbalance or immune deficiency. To treat dry, flaky skin on dogs, offer them treatments twice a week during their bathtime session and follow these steps:
Pupper Shampoo For Dogs
Image courtesy Pupper
Veterinarians recommend Pupper’s soothing, natural product for a pet’s dry itchy skin on their pets. Effective ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, beeswax help create a barrier lock in hydration to combat irritation and promote healing.
It’s hypoallergenic and tear-free, so it won’t harm your dog’s fur. It doesn’t contain parabens, phthalates, or sulfates, all of which can remove natural oils from the hair. Pupper’s oatmeal and aloe dog shampoo leaves your dog’s coat clean, soft, and deodorized.
A dog with a healthy coat will have shine and be smooth to the touch, instead of brittle or coarse. Similarly, healthy skin should be supple and clear – not greasy, flaky, or bumpy. Your canine’s health and nutrition affects the shine and texture of your dogs coat from inside their body regular grooming and skin care on the outside will assist in maintaining your canine’s overall health.
Regular grooming benefits all dogs by removing loose hairs and dead skin cells, keeping the coat free of dirt and debris, distributing natural skin oils along the hair shafts, and more. Dogs with long coats especially require daily brushing to prevent tangles or mats, particularly around the ears, in the armpits or along their back legs.
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