The average woman uses 12 different beauty products per day (Harvard Health Publishing). Yes, per day.
While dogs don't need as many products to maintain a healthy coat, there are a couple of things you could be doing to make sure their fluff stays luscious.
Don’t over-bathe them
The term ‘over-bathing’ is very relative. Of course, if your dog is spending all day in the mud, jumping in the pool, or has a certain skin condition they will need to bathe more often than a couch potato.
A couch potato could do just fine with bathing every two to three months, that is if they are not getting too smelly. On the other hand, a dog that spends the majority of its day hunting lizards outside could probably use a shower every couple of weeks. If your dog is a mud run athlete, however, you might need to bathe them every week, or at least clean them up with a damp towel after they are done rolling in the dirt.
Another thing to consider when thinking ‘over bathing’ is coat length and type. A shorter-medium coat requires similar bathing to the couch potato. While a longer coat needs bathing like a lizard hunter, every 2-3 weeks or so.
If your dog has a soft coat, like an Aussie Shepherd, or a drop coat, like a Maltese, they might need bathing more often than a dog that sheds often, like a German Shepherd. Shedding is the process of getting rid of dead and unhealthy fur to allow fresh, healthy fur to grow. So if your dog is a shedder, they won’t need bathing that often.
Finally, some dogs have certain skin conditions that require frequent treatment using prescribed shampoos or ones that specifically target a certain skin condition. Contact your local vet if you think your dog falls under this category.
Give them the necessary vitamins and nutrients
Although dogs have natural oils in their fur that maintain their coat looking shiny, unless they decide to go on a mud run freshly out of the shower, natural oils on their own are not enough. It is important to supplement their natural oils and everyday diet with the necessary vitamins to promote healthy skin and coat.
Salmon and Omega 3 oil, for example, are essential in keeping cell membranes healthy. This allows for the skin to fight inflammations, reduces the chance of developing skin allergies, and helps with wound recovery.
Vitamin C is another necessary vitamin in helping dogs fight harmful bacteria that may be in their bodies, and it also reduces inflammation that can disrupt and damage skin and hair growth.
Vitamin E is used by dogs to form collagen fibers which are essential for developing hair and renewing skin. So giving them an extra boost of them doesn’t hurt.
Organic Kelp is another nutrient that aids dogs in fighting allergies that can be bothersome and damaging to their skin.
As we’re sure you already know, we carry all of these wonderful nutrients and vitamins to make you and your couch potato, lizard hunter, or mud runner go WOOW with our Skin & Coat Chews :)
Brush them regularly
Aside from it allowing your dog to be the most good-looking, comfortable dog on the block, brushing your dog’s hair has many benefits for the health of their skin and coat.
One of those is removing dead hairs and dry skin that accumulate over time and forms hair mats that can be painful and uncomfortable for your furry friend. Brushing your dog also aids the shedding process, and can reduce the amount of hair that will naturally end up on your couch, clothes, floors. You know the deal.
Another important reason to brush your dog is that it forces you to examine their body closely, and be aware of any bumps or parasites that may form. It also allows you to spend more time with your best friend, and, let's face it, we could all use some of that.
