How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin On Dogs

5 Ways To Treat Dry Skin In Dogs

Dogs are great to have around, but sometimes they get under the weather. It doesn't always have to be a major illness, but a condition that is irritating and annoying. That is the case with dry skin. Your four-legged amigo may develop a case of it and that can drive your pet half crazy. You need not sit and watch, but can do something about it. Here are a couple of ways to take care of the dry skin your dog may have.

1. A little dose of vitamin E

This doesn't need to be taken internally and vitamin E oil can be applied directly to the affected skin area. A little massage and perhaps a soak in the bathtub with vitamin E oil in the water can have that skin back in healthy condition rather quickly. Should you decide to give the vitamin E to your pet internally, you have to be careful. Different breeds of dogs require unique dosages of the vitamin. A veterinarian can tell you will be the proper amount.

2. Try some olive oil

Doctors encourage humans to a little olive oil in their food. It has some great benefits for dogs as well. All it takes is about a tablespoon of olive oil several times a week. The flaky skin should go away after a little while and your dog is left with a very shiny coat. Omega – 3 fatty acids are also a good way to combat dry skin. As with vitamin E, check with the veterinarian to see what the proper amount should be included in your dog's food.

3. Grooming is extremely important

It can be the little things that cause the problem and the little things can be quickly corrected. Dirt and the oil which builds up in your dog's coat can cause some of the skin problems you are worried about. Grooming includes brushing the coat carefully on a routine basis. That is going to allow the natural oils that are part of the dog's body to be evenly distributed. It means that there is no oil buildup in one area that can cause skin problems to develop. Matting is something that can lead directly to dry skin. The grooming sees to it that the matting is removed and that skin is better able to receive the air that it needs.

4. 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.

5. Bathing the right way

Everyone wants to have a clean pooch, but don't overdo it. Set a routine and once established take a look at the shampoo. The shampoo should not be the ones that you use. Dogs may have thick coats but they are thinner skin than you have. The wrong pH level can cause serious skin problems for your animal. The right type of after bath conditioning spray can help by softening and moisturizing the skin of your dog.

All of the above are essential home remedies that you can use on your dog's dry skin. It is also possible that the dog is having an allergic reaction to something. Arranging for a trip to the veterinarian is going to help in creating a strategy for taking care of the dry skin. The good thing about this is we are not talking any major surgery or therapy. In most cases it just requires using one or two of the above suggestions to get the dry skin off of your dog.

Incidentally, the fact that your pet has dry skin does not make you a bad doggie parent. This is a common condition that dogs will have and it isn't life-threatening. It is simply a pain for the animal and needs to be corrected. The right food supplements or greater attention to grooming and bathing will be sure to have your dog back with healthy skin in no time. The treatments may result in a very nice-looking coat on that sweet little buddy of yours. That is a nice side benefit to treating the dry skin.

posted on December 12, 2014 at 12:32 pm by Doctor Ron