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Evaluating Your Dog’s Health – Skin Conditions
August 4th, 2009
Since our animals cannot speak to us in words, we will start a series of items you need to check each month to keep your pet healthy.
These steps will help you to know when your ailing dog needs to be taken to the vet and when you can take care of him at home.
Dog At Home Monthly Check Up – Skin Care
Skin tell a lot about your dog’s health by the condition of their coat and skin. Is their coat dull? Is their skin dry and flaky? Are they itching and scratching? Or does their coat shine in the sunlight and feel soft to the touch? Does their skin feel moist and supple?
- When you comb or brush them, pay attention to their reaction. Do they enjoy the feel of the brush going through their fur, or do they flinch when you touch a certain spot? (Be careful of the type of brush you choose. We recommend a brush with soft bristles. Would you like stiff wires running across your scalp?)
- Push the hair back and examine the skin for dryness, flakes, lumps sores or discoloration.
- As you move through the fur, feel for any abnormalities under the skin. Note any painful reactions or lumps.
There are many possibilities that can cause a dull, coarse coat. It is usually caused by a lack of essential fatty oils in their diet.
Think about it, if you are feeding a dry dog food kibble as the main meal every day you can count on seeing dry skin. You may want to consider adding essential oils to their diet. There are many great natural fish oils made just for dogs, so find which one fits your needs. Add the oil to their food and you will see a difference, but not overnight.
Dry, Itchy Skin
In many cases you will find that by adding the oil to their diet the dry itchy skin will disappear as well. But if you have a serious case, the possible cause may be an allergy. So many times the allergy is related to the food they are eating. Try a different brand of food and start the elimination process but be prepared to take your time and do it correctly. Changing a diet quickly can cause some erratic bowel changes. Do it slowly weaning them on to a new food.
If you would not eat it, you should not feed it!
The next most common allergy is to fleas. Your dog can actually be allergic to flea bites which is why you may see more disturbances in the summer months.
You can go also go to your vet and have allergy testing done to find out what Fido is allergic to.
Topically: A No Brainer,only use a grooming product that is of natural origin, no chemicals. * Hot spots or real problems use aloe Vera gel or lather them up with a deep conditioner and leave it on all day.
Regular brushing also keeps skin healthy by stimulating blood flow of their natural oils. If your dog has a short coat, a weekly brushing will usually do. But a breed with a thick, long, or shaggy coat may require daily care. A wire slicker brush helps prevent mats from forming, and a curry brush or rubber grooming mitt removes loose hair quickly and easily. We recommend a brush with natural bristle for short hair dogs and a steel pin brush for long hair breeds.
For best results, be sure you brush down to the skin.
Before you begin brushing, mist your dog’s coat with a spray-on conditioner. This helps the brush move smoothly through the fur and cuts down on static electricity.
To remove mats, work some baby oil or liquid tangle remover. After several minutes, try to loosen and separate the mats, using your fingers or the end tooth of a comb. Carefully brush out the loosened sections, going slowly so you don’t hurt your dog. In severe cases, the entire coat may need to be clipped by a professional
You may notice your dog’s skin and hair are drier than usual in the wintertime, and the coat is crackling with static electricity every time you pet or brush them. Run a humidifier during the heat season to take care of these problems. When bathing, put a towel underneath their feet so they feel safe.
End Result: A Happy, Soft, Comfortable Pup
Article by Susan Hartzler of Alpha Dog PR, which is based in Los Angeles and a chosen resource for editors, producers, writers and reporters. Alpha Dog PR is dedicated to providing the media with the most up-to-the-minute information about the rapidly growing pet industry. For more information, please visit www.alphadogpr.com or call (818) 998-6299.
Tags: brush, brushing, coat, Diet, dog health, fleas, fur, itchy skin, nutrition, skin, Skin Care, skin conditions
Posted in K9 Care, K9 Health | 1 Comment »
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