When you come home after a long day at work, getting a grand welcome from your dog is easily one of the best feelings in the world. What is better is knowing that your dog is healthy and happy. In dogs, having healthy skin is one of the indicators of good health. When their coat shines, they shed minimally and don’t scratch any particular area excessively, you can be sure that they are in good health.
However, it may not always be the case. Like us, the skin is also the largest organ of the body and depending on the breed of the dog. Their coat can comprise around 12-15% of their total body weight. Various breeds have different skin problems, more than usual itching being one of the commonest signs of them all. Some conditions may cause their coat to look dull, they may shed excessively, have bald patches around their skin or may bleed. Climatic change, allergies to certain foods or products, insect bites or infections are often the causative factors. It is important to pay close attention to skin changes or skin symptoms in dogs, they sometimes can be indicators of underlying health conditions. It is advisable to regularly check your dog’s coat and skin and general health for any warning signs. Let us have a look at some common skin problems in dogs and their easy management.
Ticks and Fleas
These are common parasites that often stick to the body of the dog and suck its blood. The bite marks often cause skin irritation and itch, which in turn is further scratched by the dog for relief. Dogs often worsen the symptoms by biting and chewing the area causing redness and bleeding, instead use products like itch relief shampoo to give them relief and prevent the worsening of symptoms. Also, regularly using products like anti-tick and flea spray or tick-repellent powder can go a long way in preventing ticks and fleas and giving relief from the itch they cause.
Food allergies
Just like humans, dogs also are intolerant of certain food products or food categories. It is best to keep them away from such foods in order to prevent any unforeseen conditions. Food allergies often cause increased itching around the face, feet, around the ears or even anal itching. One must be watchful of such symptoms in case of certain food allergies. It is known that dogs cannot digest many common human ingredients like salt, sugar etc. Hence it is best to give your loved pets some carefully crafted dog food especially suiting to their body type, age as well as nutritional requirements. You can look for dry dog foods.
If your dog is allergic to meat or meat products, or you choose to raise your dog with a vegetarian diet, you can explore vegetarian options in order to ensure they get the right nutrients, the food is delicious to taste as well as keeping any food allergens at bay.
Folliculitis
If your dog is going through some common skin disease or suffering the effects of a food allergy, it is common that they will itch their coat and skin more than usual. This in turn may give rise to some inflammation of hair follicles. This gives rise to sores, bumps or broken skin or painful hair patches. In such cases keeping the coat and the skin clean by using some clean and simple shampoo with hypoallergenic properties to clean the coat and give skin relief from the itch. You can choose from options like
Also, you can keep the coat of your dog fuss-free and healthy by using slicker brushes to regularly brush their coat and keep it free from any trouble.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a highly contagious skin fungal infection that is seen commonly in both humans as well as dogs. Unlike what the name suggests, ringworm thankfully does not involve any worms but is a fungal infection. The condition involves affection of your pet’s head, ears, paws or even forelimbs. It involves circular skin patches that are often itchy and crusty. They may get inflamed due to excessive itching. Visiting your dog’s vet is crucial for them to check and prescribe some topical medication. At the same time, you can look after the skin by using the right shampoo to fight the microbes.
You can also use sprays to keep the dogs free from unnecessary contact with potential microbes and infection-causing agents. If excessive itching causes local wounds.
Lupus
Lupus is a condition that affects humans as well as dogs, it is an auto-immune condition that attacks their own body cells. In the case of dogs, some of the chief indicators are open wounds, crusty skin, and sores around the eyes, nose or paws that refuse to heal. Assuming that it is common and letting it go undetected for long can have hazardous effects on your dog’s health. It is best to keep an eye on all wounds, sores or skin conditions and ensure they are checked by the vet in order to rule out any dire situations.
Keeping the coat shiny and healthy
While skin conditions may come and go due to various reasons, it is important as a pet parent to look after the overall health of the dog in order to keep their skin and coat shiny and healthy. Giving them the right nutrition in the form of a healthy diet.
Does your dog have beautiful tresses that often get tangled? Simply opt for detangling and smoothening shampoo to ensure you never have to worry about spending hours getting their hair in place.
When we bring home a dog, it stops remaining just an animal but becomes a member of your family. As we look after all members of the family, our four-legged loved one also needs its due attention and care. When well-fed, loved and looked after our pets remain loving, happy and healthy and ensure you are loved every second of their being.
You may also like:
0 comments on “Curing your pooch’s skin problems”