The Connection Between Your Dog’s Skin & Their Diet
The skin is the biggest organ in your dog’s body. Unlike internal organs, your dog’s skin can be seen and its appearance tells a lot about your dog’s overall health.
Soft skin and a lustrous coat can indicate stellar health; dry, flaky, or itchy skin may be a picture of insufficient nutrition.
But no matter your furry friend’s skin conditions, their diet can largely influence their skin and general wellness.
It’s vital to ensure your dog’s diet is complete and balanced so nutritional deficiencies don’t end up causing skin problems.
Take a look at 4 ways you can ensure your dog’s diet will boost their skin health:
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Prepare home-cooked food for your dog
There can be many food and treat options in the market that come with added preservatives, fillers, and other no-no’s for your dog.
Preparing your dog’s own food at home gives you the advantage of knowing exactly what goes into your four-legged friend’s food.
Before you dive into this, ask your veterinarian what recipes you can try to make sure your dog gets enough balance of nutrients.
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Feed your pup a fish-based diet
If you’re unable to cook or find it too tedious, you can opt to give your dog a fish-based diet.
Fish is often recommended first for dogs with skin conditions as they’re rich in Omega-3s. These fatty acids improve your dog’s skin and coat health.
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Look for single-ingredient treats
Single-ingredient food and treats contain only one main ingredient and no artificial preservatives. These allow your dog to get the most nutrients they need for healthy skin, and help you rule out any allergies they may have.
Having limited ingredients also means your pup’s food contains fewer calories. Imagine all that delicious, wholesome nutrition minus the extra weight!
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Avoid common allergens
Sometimes dogs start scratching around because they’re having an allergic reaction to their food. We’ve already tackled that single-ingredient treats are one way to avoid potential allergens.
Another is by steering clear of specific ingredients known to cause allergies.
While some dogs may be allergic to certain meats like chicken, chicken eggs, and beef, you can also try to move away from buying treats that contain common allergens like wheat, gluten, barley, and soy.
What your dog eats affects their skin and coat. If you find that your furbaby is constantly scratching away, you can look at their diet to see a potential culprit for their dry or itchy skin.
The key is to feed your dog a balanced variety of vegetables, fruits, raw meat, and 100% natural treats so they can absorb all the essential nutrients they need to keep their skin smooth and coats shiny!