Causes
- A dog’s environment is often the reason for dry skin and you may even notice your own skin drying up as we move into the colder months due to the drop in humidity resulting in a lack of moisture in the skin. We also tend to pump the heating in winter which further dries out the skin. Seasonal shedding can also impact your dog’s skin and coat which can be significantly helped with regular brushing.
- Diet is a common contributor to dry skin. Without essential fatty acids (EFAs) such as omega-3 and omega-6, your dog’s skin and coat may begin to suffer. Dogs cannot synthesise these nutrients naturally, so they must be a part of their diet. In addition to EFAs, quality protein is essential; their protein intake is important to help grow and develop healthy skin and hair.
- In some cases, dry skin can be a sign of underlying skin problems or systemic disease, so it’s important to have a checkup with your vet to rule this out.
Thankfully dry skin is easy to fix in most cases!
Ensure you’re using a coat appropriate brush daily, followed by a cream conditioner, such as our Leave in Conditioner. Massage the conditioner deep into the coat and skin to ensure it’s not simply sitting on the top of the coat. Finishing this routine with another brush is terrific at spreading the conditioner in and around the coat. Have a look at our Brush range to see which is best for your dog’s coat.
When to visit the vet
If your dog is itching, has red skin, their coat appears patchy, or they seem unwell in any way, then visit your vet.
Manage dry skin at home with regular grooming with a quality Brush and Leave in Conditioner, maintain a comfortable ambient temperature, feed a complete and balanced diet, and use a soothing Wash sparingly only when required (ideally not more than every 4-6 weeks unless otherwise prescribed).