My Pet Has Dry Skin What Can I Do to Treat it?

My Pet Has Dry Skin, What Can I Do to Treat it?

               Let’s face it, most of us have dry skin in the winter and that includes our pets.  Cold, dry air outside and forced heat indoors can lead to dry skin, flaking and itching in humans as well as dogs and cats.  What can we do to combat those flakes in our furry friends? Read on for tips to keep your pet’s skin and coat healthy this winter.

               Topical Treatments:  Let’s face it, a permanent fur coat does not make it easy to apply oils or lotions as we would do for our own dry skin.  These products tend to absorb into the haircoat and not the skin where they will do the most good and can leave a messy, greasy residue.  Not to mention, dogs and cats use their tongues for grooming which means they will likely ingest anything you apply to their skin.  This could lead to diarrhea or other issues.  There are some topical products that may soothe dry skin in our pets.  Shampoos and conditioners can be of benefit in helping to moisturize dry skin. Choose oatmeal based, Vitamin E or aloe shampoos for maximum moisturizing capabilities and use lukewarm water to avoid overly drying with water that’s too warm.  Towel dry your pet or use a cool setting with a blow dryer to avoid drying skin out again.  Try to limit bathing to once a week or less—too frequent bathing can actually worsen dry skin.  Spray on, leave in conditioners or mousse products may also work for some dogs and cats, but be sure to comb through the coat to achieve contact with the skin where these products do the most good.  Brushing and combing your pet can also promote healthy skin and coat by distributing natural oils through the coat and removing skin flakes and loose hair.

               Oral:  The best option for providing a healthy skin barrier for your pet is an omega-3/omega-6 supplement.  These essential fatty acids provide a variety of health benefits for skin, joints and heart.  Omega fatty acids are necessary for healthy skin and coat. They promote cell turnover, reduce inflammation and improve hydration and cell membrane function.  Essential fatty acids may take several weeks to provide full benefit, so start early or use year-round for best benefits.  Most fatty acids are found in fish oils, but some plant based products like sunflower oil, safflower and some nuts also contain omega 6 acids. Be sure to use a good product produced for pets at the proper dose for your pet’s weight to ensure it is bioavailable and well digested.  Side effects are rare but some pets experience vomiting or diarrhea.  Feeding a healthy diet and making sure your pet has access to plenty of fresh water also helps hydrate from within.

               Environmental:  Use of humidifiers in the home can help combat dry air.  Avoid exposing your pet to extreme temperatures for long periods of time whenever possible.  Use good quality flea and tick preventative on your pet year-round to prevent external parasites from moving into the environment and causing skin issues for your pet.

               Don’t let winter take its toll on your pet’s skin and coat.  And, be sure to seek help from your veterinarian if your pet’s skin is red, your pet is losing patches of hair, has sores or scabs or is excessively itchy.  Allergies and other health conditions could be responsible for your pet’s dry skin.  If in doubt, contact our staff for more advice on how to help your pet keep a healthy coat year-round!

               This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dry-skin-on-dogs/