dog skin and coat care

A:As more people seek to cut carbs like grains from their diet, some owners may naturally wonder if their pets would benefit from a grain-free diet as well — especially ones who suspect their pet may have a corn or wheat allergy or other dietary issue affecting their skin.

However, the issue is slightly more complex than just cutting out grains. Not all grains are the same, and many are important power players for dog nutrition by delivering important vitamins, minerals, and proteins as well as carbohydrates for energy.

Before eliminating all grains (or all carbs or all gluten) from your dog’s diet, talk to your vet about a food trial. This is a trusted way to discover if food ingredients are triggering a skin response and can help guide you and your vet on modifying their diet.

A:In most cases, the answer is no—most dogs are perfectly happy getting wet. Many pet raincoats are designed to help owners, not pets, since a slightly damp dog is much easier to towel dry than a soaking wet one.

Many pets actively dislike wearing clothing. If wearing a jacket stresses your dog, it’s better to skip it—and even if they don’t mind, never leave your clothed pet unattended, since clothing can become a safety risk.

Short-haired dogs, short-legged dogs, older dogs, and smaller breeds may benefit from a warm coat during winter months, however, since they may not have much fluffy insulation. It can really vary from dog to dog and climate to climate, so ask your vet what we recommend for your unique pet.

A:It’s very common to see a shed-a-palooza after a bath. It can help to brush well before the bath with a fur-removing comb, and then once afterwards when dry to really get the most hair out during bath time.

A:It’s not uncommon to see more dandruff after a bath, since bathing can loosen up skin flakes as well as hair. Specks may be especially visible on dark-haired dogs.

If your pet’s dandruff seems crazy excessive, check your choice of shampoo with your vet. We may be able to recommend other options or supplements to help with oils in the coat.

A:Some dog breeds, like Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, and Bichon Frise, are considered to be “non-shedding.” This means that their hair continues to grow (much like human hair) instead of falling out in a regular seasonal shed.

However, human hairs do fall out, and so do hairs from “non-shedding” breeds—just less often. You should still expect to see some hair in your house as well as from brushing and bathing.

A:Here are the basics on caring for your dog’s coat: 

• A regular high-quality diet (in the proper serving size)
• Prescription parasite control
• Baths (as recommended by your vet)
• Regular coat brushing

A:Many different things can cause skin issues in dogs. It’s best to speak with your vet to find out the cause. They’ll be able to recommend or prescribe diet changes, medication, or special shampoos to help your sweet pup.

A:Dry skin on dogs can be caused by diet, skin infections, dry air, and more. See your veterinary team to get to the bottom of your dog’s issue. They’ll be able to recommend products, medication, and/or lifestyle changes to help.