Winter tends to dry out skin. Humans and dogs, alike, have an increase of dry skins issues when the winter months arrive. With a few adjustments, however, you can help alleviate the problems. Here are four solid tips for combating the dry skin blues. Making these simple changes can help you and your pet.
• Cut Down on Bathing
The simple act of bathing depletes natural oils from the skin. In winter months, it’s a good idea to limit baths as much as possible to help combat dry skin. It’s also a good idea to review the ingredients in the shampoos and soaps used for bathing. Harsh chemicals, such as those used in flea shampoos can be extremely hard on your dog’s skin and should be used sparingly, if possible.
• Humidify Your Home
When the temperatures drop outside, we tend to crank up the heat on the inside. That, alone, can rob moisture from skin, fur and hair. Use a humidifier to replenish the moisture back into the air. If you can’t afford a machine humidifier, you can simmer a large pot of water on the stove to add moisture to the air. Just be careful not to boil the pot dry for safety’s sake.
• Add Healthy Fats to Your Dog’s Diet
Even if we may want to feed a lean diet to our beloved pets, some amount of fat can be beneficial – especially when dry skin sets in. You can add a few drops of olive or natural fish oil to your dog’s dinner to give them some healthy fat in their diet and it will also help improve a dry skin coat.
• Check for Food Allergies
Lastly, if you’ve slowed down the bathing cycle, humidified the air and added healthy fats to your dog’s diet to no avail; maybe it’s time to starting thinking about food allergies. Allergic reactions to foods can also cause dry, itchy skin. Keep a log of the food your pet takes in everyday and discuss it with your veterinarian. He or she can help you determine if food allergies are aggravating your dog’s coat and can help with prescriptions, if required.
Following these few, simple tips may help bring your dog’s coat back to its former luster. You can also refer the “How to Treat Dry Skin on Dogs” article at All Dog Health for more information and suggestions to help deal with your dog’s dry skin in the winter.
Enjoy more pet articles from Terry Mulligan:
Save Money by Grooming Your Dog at Home
Are Table Scraps Really Bad for Your Dog?
Tips and Facts on Caring for Finches