How to make your dog's coat healthy and shiny again

Healthy skin with a strongly shining coat is by no means a matter of course in dogs. Both a short-haired coat and a long-haired coat need regular care. Unfortunately, some dog owners still make the mistake of washing the coat with shampoos that are actually intended for us humans. This can have an extremely negative effect on the health of the coat and the skin. Such products are often far too aggressive and do not smell at all to the dog's liking. Below you will find helpful tips for successful, caring coat care in everyday life.

A healthy diet as the basis for a beautiful coat

A dog food does not always contain everything the dog actually needs in terms of vital nutrients. Cheap food from the supermarket in particular often offers insufficient quality. But even with expensive products, the price is no guarantee of high-quality ingredients. It is advisable to check the declaration very carefully. Caringly make sure that no flavour additives, no grain, no artificial vitamins and no sugar are contained. In addition, the proportion of high-quality protein should be sufficiently high.

Example of a balanced composition of the ingredients:

• Crude ash: at least 2 percent
• Crude fibre: maximum 5 percent
• Protein: at least 22 percent
• Fat: at least 5 percent
• Carbohydrates: maximum 50 percent

Age also plays an extremely important role in the choice of food. Older dogs in particular need an adapted diet that is easier to digest and does not additionally burden the gastrointestinal tract. Unfortunately, only a few complete feeds contain high-quality omega-3 fatty acids in sufficient quantity.

The great importance of omega fatty acids

When the skin is overtaxed, irritations or inflammation can quickly occur. These are often accompanied by unpleasant itching and dandruff. This is especially true when the dog has a dense undercoat. With increasing age, the metabolism also changes, which can significantly affect coat quality. The coat then often appears dull and greasy. A targeted supply of omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids can have a caring, preventive effect here. A shiny coat always reflects the entire inner state of health. High quality in nutrition is therefore the most important prerequisite.

The coat should be brushed regularly

Regular grooming not only has a positive effect on health but also promotes the important bond between human and animal. Brushing should be done at least once a week for short-haired breeds and considerably more often for long-haired breeds. A soft natural-bristle brush or a brush with rubber nubs is suitable for this. Brushing should always be done gently. It offers the great advantage that the skin is massaged and blood circulation is promoted. Dogs mostly perceive this as extremely pleasant. Animals with a pronounced undercoat need to be groomed particularly carefully so that the skin can breathe sufficiently.

Caring for the skin and protection against moisture

When long, dense fur gets wet, it often does not dry quickly enough. The remaining moisture can encourage skin infections. A build-up of heat also increases the risk of strain from bacteria or yeast fungi. This is often noticeable from an unpleasant smell, redness or increased scratching. The coat should be trimmed if necessary and the undercoat combed out regularly. After every swim in a lake or river, thorough drying is a must. A regular bath in the tub is usually not necessary, unless the dog has rolled in strong-smelling substances.

When bathing, use exclusively special dog shampoos. The four-legged friend's skin has a completely different pH value than the skin of us humans. Washing too frequently and using the wrong cleansers dry out the skin massively. If the coat shows thin patches or other changes, the animal should be caringly examined for parasites and a specialist in animal health consulted.

Natural protection against parasites in everyday life

Despite the best care, parasites such as ticks, lice, mites or fleas cannot always be entirely avoided. Ticks should be removed immediately with tick tweezers using a careful movement. If the head remains stuck, a visit to a practice is advisable. Many conventional protective preparations unfortunately contain a lot of chemicals. A natural alternative can be the application of high-quality coconut oil. A small amount rubbed into the coat deters many pests and also provides a pleasant smell. It is important to know that fleas can also transmit tapeworms, which is why further caring measures are necessary in the event of an infestation.

Nutrients to support skin and hair

Especially during the coat change or in older animals, a targeted supply of nutrients can be sensible. When the undercoat becomes greasy or the top coat becomes lacklustre and brittle, high-quality unsaturated fatty acids from sustainable sources help. These improve the elasticity and resilience of the skin and hair cells. Omega-3 fatty acids also have an anti-inflammatory effect and positively support the entire metabolism and the immune system. Since the organism cannot produce these substances itself, they must be caringly supplied through high-quality food or natural supplements.

This article serves as general information and as caring awareness-raising for holistic care of your dog.