As children, my brother and I were constantly subjected to my mother’s host of home remedies from dandelion root tea to fat back poultices. The granddaddy cure of them all, however, was cod liver oil. Even the family dog wasn’t safe from its fishy grasp. My mother regularly mixed a little cod liver oil in with our dog’s food “to make his coat shiny.” Image my surprise when I discoverd after all these years that she was right!
If your dog is healthy and eating a balanced diet, his body will produce and secrete natural oils that will keep his skin hydrated and healthy. These oils are then absorbed by his coat to make it shiny and healthy as well. Because of this, the health of a dog’s skin and the shininess of his coat are interrelated. A dull coat can mean that the production of natural oils has slowed and that his diet is not providing the needed supplements. Since essential fatty acids are the key, low-fat diets may be the cause of a poor or dull coat.
When Fat is Good
Omega-3 and Omega-6 are both types of essential fatty acids that are polyunsaturated. Omega-3 fatty acids are found mostly in the fat of cold water fish, while Omega-6 fatty acids are found in seeds and nuts. Both are needed for your dog’s healthy skin and coat.
- Omega-3 fatty acids include cod liver oil and basically any kind of fish oil. Flaxseed oil is often also included in this group, because it is a precursor to Omega-3s, meaning it can be converted via biological chemical processes. When checking dog food labels for Omega-3 fatty acids, look for cod liver oil, salmon oil, fish oil, icosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
- Omega-6 fatty acids include sunflower oil, safflower oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, canola oil or soybean oil.
Skin Problems Can become Coat Problems
Because the health of a dog’s skin and coat are so closely interrelated, skin problems can result in a dull lifeless coat. To get the coat shiny and healthy, you must treat the cause of the skin problem. You should only do so under your veterinarian’s advice, however, because too much of these supplements can cause other health issues.
- Zinc deficiencies can cause crusting skin. This can be treated with a zinc supplement.
- Seborrhea, evidenced by scaly skin, can be treated with Vitamin A.
- B Complex vitamins are important to many aspects of a dog’s health, including maintaining the skin and coat. They include Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12.
With all the high-quality dog foods available today, there isn’t a whole lot of need for additional dietary supplements. If your dog’s coat appears dull and lifeless, be sure to check with your vet before beginning any supplement regimen.
Sources:
Katherine Kam, “Dog Nutrition for a Healthy Coat,” WebMD.com
“Why Your Dog Should Have a Shiny Coat,” VetInfo.com
Andrew Weil, M.D., “Q and A Library,” DrWeil.com
Dog Vitamin Supplements,” VetInfo.com
More from Cherri:
Vitamins and Minerals Important for Your Dog’s Health
Pet Food Ingredients that May Harm Your Pet’s Health
Reading and Understanding Dog Food Nutrition Labels
