Don’t we all love cuddling our furry friends and running our fingers through their fur? Trust us — we can do it all day err day. In fact, cuddling your pets can benefit you. It helps relieve anxiety, reduce depression, and stimulate the production of Oxytocin (a.k.a the love hormone) that can enhance our stress tolerance and build a sense of trust, empathy and a stronger bond.
But what really ruins such a good moment is the loose hair caught in your hand, dry fur, or tangles in the coat. These signs may be common, but they may have a lot to tell us about your dog’s health. A healthy dog flaunts a shiny, smooth, and clean coat. Here are 10 ways to keep your dog’s coat smooth and shiny.
1. Practise Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is vital for a dog’s skin and coat health. A proportional amount of quality proteins, fats, carbs, vitamins, and minerals is crucial. Poor digestion or nutrient deficiency hinders absorption. ProBalance Lamb in Loaf is known for its efficiency in protecting sensitive skin dogs, apart from being highly nutritious and easy to digest. If your canine buddy has a stronger appetite for beef, try ProBalance Beef Flavour with Veggie which is rich in riboflavin for healthy skin and eyes.
It is essential to feed dogs diets designed for their life stage and health. While puppies start with soft hair, it becomes coarser with age. Not only does ProBalance Single Source Puppy Chicken, Egg, Milk support brain health and development, but it also improves skin health and fur. Antioxidant complexes and prebiotics in ProBalance Puppy help support the puppy’s natural defences.
2. Prioritise Protein Intake
A dog’s coat, composed mainly of protein, relies on adequate protein intake for health and shine. Insufficient protein can lead to hair loss and dry, weak, and brittle hair. Thus, a protein-rich diet can support a natural, healthy dog coat. The good news is that ProBalance has not just the right protein, but a better protein for your pet! ProBalance Single Source Meat Protein Duck is made with hydrolyzed duck protein to minimise allergic reactions, enhance digestibility and nutrient absorption. Besides, duck meat provides a well-balanced profile of essential amino acids crucial for supporting muscle growth and promoting a healthy coat and skin.
For smaller breed dogs, do try the highly palatable ProBalance Single Source Meat Protein Small Breed that comes in bite-sized kibbles for easier chewing by smaller dogs. It is enriched with higher protein and fat content, carefully designed to support the small breed’s faster metabolism and fuel their active lifestyle with more energy.
3. Emphasise Omega Fatty Acids
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are extremely essential for your dog’s coat and skin. When you are shopping for dog food, do keep your eyes peeled for dog foods with these nutrients or use high-quality fish oil supplements like ProBalance Single Source Meat Protein Salmon. Its rich content of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids can grant your dog a luscious, shiny, and healthy coat, not to mention that the DHA in salmon oil is essential for supporting cognitive health and improving memory.”
4. Stay Physically Fit
Regular exercise is not only great for keeping your dog’s skin and coat looking shiny and healthy, but it also helps spruce up their overall appearance, from their sparkling eyes to their wagging tail. So, make sure to take them out for regular walks and fun workouts. Daily exercise will do wonders for their body and well-being.
5. Regular Bathing
Did you know that a dog’s skin and hair act like bodyguards, keeping stuff out like viruses and bacteria and locking things in like water and heat? Try bathing them every one to two months; dogs with thick fur coats may need more, but over-frequent baths can mess up their coats. Also, puppies and elderly dogs may need fewer baths.
6. Give Your Dog an Oatmeal Bath
If your furry buddy deals with annoying skin allergies or its skin feels dry and itchy, an oatmeal bath may just be the remedy. Oats are packed with vitamin E which soothes irritated skin and makes their coat feel amazing. For eczema pooches, oatmeal is even more beneficial. It locks in moisture and provides deep hydration. While oatmeal baths are totally safe, make sure your pups do not gulp down the bathwater.
7. Maintain Proper Grooming
No matter your dog’s coat situation, regular grooming is a must-do. Brushing keeps their fur soft, hydrated, and in tip-top shape as brushing spreads natural oils from the follicle to the tip in every session, soothing itches and preventing tangles and mats. For short-haired or dense-fur dogs, a weekly brush will do, while long-haired dogs need a daily brush. Slicker brushes are great for short-but-dense fur or long locks, but a bristle brush is an all-around winner for every doggo.
8. Treat with Coconut Oil
You will be amazed by how coconut oil can achieve miracles for dehydrated skin and fur. Rub it on your dog’s coat for a glossy and healthy glow. It can be a life saviour for dogs with skin infections by sealing in moisture after a bath. You may also add a few drops to their shampoo. Surprisingly, coconut oil is good for dogs consumption too. Mix a teaspoon of coconut oil into their meals for happy tummies and hydrated skin. However, it is always wise to check with your vet on anything to do with dietary consumption.
9. Identify Skin Irritation
When it comes to your canine buddy’s coat, prevention is key. Keep an eye out for any signs of trouble during your snuggle sesh. Watch for signs of irritation such as odours, flaking, hair loss, or crusty, moist, red, or black skin. Regular skin checks can go a long way toward keeping your dog healthy. Once you spot the signs, consult your vet to prevent further health complications.
10. Spot for Parasites
Parasites like skin mites, ticks, and fleas can make dogs scratch and bite their own fur and skin, thus damaging your dog’s skin and fur and causing other health issues. Regular grooming is a big help, as your groomer can spot any parasite trouble and give you a heads-up. If you are worried about parasites bugging your doggo, look for your vet. They will help with tests and provide the best treatment plan.
