How to Keep Your Dog’s Coat and Skin Healthy
Dogs love attention from their owners, especially if it involves a good belly rub, an ear-scratching or pat on the head. To make this a pleasant experience for both you and your dog, it is important that they have a healthy dog coat.
An even more important reason to pay attention to your dog’s coat is that it is a good indicator of their overall health. This is because their diet, amount of exercise, and grooming routine all affect how healthy the skin and shiny the coat are.
How different coats determine dog care methods
Understanding what type of coat your dog has is the first step to ensuring a shiny dog coat. Here are the various dog coats and some pointers on dog care; what to watch out for with that type of breed and how to groom them.
Smooth coat
Even though this type of coat requires the least amount of grooming, this type of short-haired coat still requires regular bathing and brushing. The best type of brush to use is one with bristles for grooming. For shiny fur, use a fine-toothed comb. When it comes to bathing, use a de-shedding shampoo if your type of dog sheds. Examples of breeds include Doberman Pinschers, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Dachshunds.
Double coat
A dog with a double coat has a soft undercoat and tougher topcoat. The inner coat keeps the dog warm and the outer coat is for protection against water and dirt. Understandably, a dog breed with a double coat requires dog care with more grooming. Depending on whether your dog has short or long hair, the types of brushes need to be adapted. A general rule for both is to take your time, as the undercoat can have tangles. When it comes to bathing, both a shampoo and conditioner must be used. Types of dogs with double coats include the Border Collie, Golden Retriever, Pomeranian, and Yorkshire Terrier.
Long coat
Dogs with long coats require brushing almost every day, especially when they are shedding. For tangles, use a brush with smooth bristles. A detangling shampoo can be used before you comb your dog. Remember to use conditioner, as this will help as well and make your dog’s fur shinier. Although checking for ticks and fleas apply for all breeds while grooming, long-haired dogs should be inspected very thoroughly. Examples of long-coat breeds are Maltese, Pekingese, Bearded Collie and Rough Collie.
Wire coat (also called broken coat)
Because dogs with wire coats don’t shed, their hair must be hand-stripped to remove dead strands every 3 – 4 months. This can be done by using a stripping comb. These coats need regular combing with a slicker brush and a detangler for mats in their coats. A German Wirehaired Pointer has this type of coat.
Curly coat
Think Poodles and the Curly-coated Retriever. These soft curls grow fast, often creating tangles. A good grooming process for these types of breeds include a soft, curved slicker brush and a shampoo and conditioner specifically for curly coats.
Exercise for shiny coats
Ensuring your dog gets regular exercise is not just good for their general health and wellbeing but increases their circulation. This increases the blood flow to their skin and coat, making it healthier and looking more vibrant.
Nutrition for shiny coats
Nutrition is extremely important for a dog’s skin and coat. Nutritional deficiencies can result in a dog’s fur looking dull, irritated skin, and even hair loss. This is why it is essential to ensure the dog food that you feed your dog contains essential fatty acids, sufficient protein and the right minerals.
To ensure your dog feels and looks their best, Bobtail®’s everydaydry dog food is made with VITARITE®. This specialised formula not only provides your dog with nutritionally complete pet food but contains fat soluble vitamins for the renewal of your dog’s skin as well as minerals for the maintenance of healthy skin and a shiny coat.
References:
Healthy Coat for Dogs: 8 Tips and Tricks to Try
9 Ways To Restore Shine And Softness To Your Dog’s Coat
Dog Coat Types and Grooming Tips