Dog Skin & Coat Health Tips
Here is a list of the key ingredients to look for in your next bag of dog food to promote skin and coat health for your dog.
Polyunsaturated Fats
When choosing pet food look for the inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Diet or weight loss dog foods often don't include any or enough of these polyunsaturated fats.
If your pet must follow a low calorie diet, give your dog omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids supplements to keep it's skin supple and smooth. When the pet doesn't get enough polyunsaturated fats it's skin becomes dry and releases hair follicles, causing the pet to shed excessively.
Vitamins and Minerals
Select a dog food rich in B vitamins to maintain your pet's skin and coat, advises VetInfo.com. Vitamin B-1, also known as Thiamine, is a natural flea repellent. Riboflavin, or vitamin B-2 reduces dry skin and the formation of dandruff. Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B-5, reduces skin inflammation and helps heal infections.
The mineral selenium can also aid in reducing inflammation of the skin. Dog foods fortified with zinc, calcium and phosphorous help prevent eczema and skin infections caused by the skin disease.
Meat Protein
Dogs are natural carnivores. When their diets doesn't contain enough meat proteins the pet may develop an itchy rash on it's skin. Choose a dog food that lists meat -- not a grain or vegetable -- as the first ingredient.
Look for a pet food made from beef, lamb, bison, fish or poultry. To increase your pet's meat consumption, give it freeze dried liver treats or chicken breast jerky dog treats.
Related Articles:
How to Get Your Pet to Take Medicine or Vitamins
About Thiamine
About Riboflavin
New Puppy Checklist
Sources and Suggested Further Reading:
National Research Council: Your Dog's Nutritional Needs
The Pet Center: Itch-And-Scratch-Bite-And-Lick!
K9 Joy:Raw Food Feeding Guide for Adult Dogs
Doctors Foster and Smith: Skin and Coat Supplement FAQ's
Vet Info: Vitamins and Minerals for Healthy Dog Skin
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Published by Angela Tague
Angela Tague has worked in news writing and photography since 1998. After attaining a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Iowa, Tague's journalism career has led to positions at two... View profile
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- How to Get Your Pet to Take Medicine or Vitamins: www.associatedcontent.com/article/6057998/how_to_get_your_pet_to_take_medicine.html
- About Thiamine: www.associatedcontent.com/article/2879368/about_thiamine_b1_vitamin.html?cat=5
- New Puppy Checklist: www.associatedcontent.com/article/1366536/new_puppy_checklist_from_a_petco_employee.h
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1 Comments
Post a Commentgreat tips, your pets are so lucky to have you! :) =^..^=