Dry skin can be troublesome for us; it is the same for dogs. The only difference is we can communicate our unease, but dogs cannot express their discomfort. You must watch out for some signs that your dog exhibits to diagnose dry skin in dogs. Effective and quick treatment can yield good results and help your dog in leading its normal routine life. Here in this blog, we cover everything about dry skin in dogs, along with its causes, symptoms and treatment.
What are the Causes?
Dry skin in dogs causes extreme discomfort and irritation. What might seem like a no big deal can often be the sign of a larger underlying problem. Therefore, it is always important to treat and cure dry, flaky skin on dogs. The reasons could be parasites, allergies or something as serious as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease. We will now look at the causes of dry skin in dogs.
Parasites
Many times, dog flaky skin could be an indication of parasites. This can be a problem since parasites are one of the major causes of mange. Mange is of several kinds, such as canine scabies, Demodex Mite and walking dandruff. However, dry, flaky skin on dogs could also be a result of lice.
To aid proper diagnosis for dry skin conditions in dogs, it is best to go to the veterinarian and start the right treatment.
Allergies
Did you know that just like us humans, our furry friends are prone to dog allergies too? Some of the most common allergies that affect dogs are:
- Allergies caused by the environment such as dust, pollen and other agents around us
- Food allergies
- Allergies caused due to change in season or seasonal allergies
Allergies in dogs affect the skin largely. If your dog has any kind of allergy, you must get it treated because it can cause further harm by resulting in atopic dermatitis if left untreated. The dog will become itchy; there will be redness and swelling on the skin. Atopic dermatitis can become a cause of secondary skin infections if not checked on time.
Systemic Disorders
The causes for dog flaky skin or dryness can sometimes be an indication of a serious problem. Two main diseases - Hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease are linked to dry skin in dogs. If any dog is suffering from either of the two conditions, the accompanying symptoms would include loss of hair or hair fall, extremely brittle hair, and the skin would be susceptible to skin infections. Dryness of skin can, in a few circumstances can also be indicative of autoimmune diseases or even cancer.
Miscellaneous Causes
Many environmental conditions cause dry, flaky skin on dogs. These conditions could be poor nutrition, weather change, frequent bathing, harsh shampoos, soaps, and dry air. If you feel that these are the reasons why your dog has dry skin, you can think of ways to remove these trouble-causing conditions or even talk to a vet.
Treatment
Any treatment which is related to skin and especially dog’s skin first requires a proper diagnosis. It is best to consult or speak to your vet when it comes to your dog and not go on hearsay. If your dog has a food allergy, then the vet can help you eliminate that from your dog’s food and guide you on what would be the right source of nutrition. If the dry, flaky skin on the dog is due to an underlying health condition, then the vet will treat the underlying disease and the symptom on the skin. As far as allergies caused due to the environment, not much can be done, but these three options are there:
- Controlling or suppressing the symptom
- Immunotherapy
- Removing or avoiding the allergen from the environment
If you want to make sure your dog has healthy and supple skin, you must feed the dog a balanced and nutritious diet. Regular grooming also helps in removing dirt and debris build up on the skin of the dog. Adding a good and tested supplement to your dog’s diet is also helpful and helps in boosting the dog’s immune system. The final and most important tip is to research and read up on the breed you are getting for yourself and take all the preventive measures related to the skin to avoid future problems.
This was all about dry skin in dogs. A shiny coat with healthy skin is a manifestation of a happy and fit dog. We hope this blog helps you understand how to take care of your dog’s skin and what to avoid.
FAQs:
1. What causes dry skin in dogs?
Dry skin in dogs can be caused by factors like weather changes, poor diet, allergies, parasites, or frequent bathing with harsh shampoos. Identifying the cause is key to proper treatment.
2. How can I tell if my dog has dry skin?
Common signs include itching, flaking, redness, dandruff, or scaly patches. Your dog may scratch or lick excessively, especially in dry or cold seasons.
3. What are the best ways to prevent dry skin in dogs?
To prevent dry skin, feed a balanced diet with omega-3 fatty acids, use moisturizing dog shampoos, avoid overbathing, and maintain a clean, humidified environment.
4. Can diet affect my dog’s skin health?
Yes! A nutrient-rich diet with essential fatty acids, vitamins, and proteins helps maintain healthy skin. Consult your vet for supplements if needed.
5. When should I see a vet for my dog’s dry skin?
If the dryness is persistent, worsens, or is accompanied by hair loss, sores, or infections, it’s best to consult your vet to rule out allergies, infections, or other health issues.
For any query related to dogs or any health condition you can get online vet consultation . You can also but tick and fleas reppelant from our online pet store with Zigly
