Perfecting Your Pet’s Hair Care Routine
Your pet’s coat condition gives clues to what is happening inside their body and can be an indicator to underlying problems. When your vet examines your pet’s coat, what are they looking at?
The vet might first notice the luster. A shiny coat is generally a healthy coat. But this does not mean greasy, which can be caused by overproduction of skin oils. Similarly, healthy fur should have a soft texture, though expectations differ between dog breeds.
Coat cleanliness is also assessed. If the fur is greasy, dirty, or matted, lack of grooming is probably the culprit. Lack of grooming in cats almost always suggests that an illness is present. If your pet has patchy or missing fur then sickness, discomfort, or anxiety could be present.
Lastly, having a closer look can expose parasites like fleas or ticks. And it can reveal Dander, which are dried flakes of skin when it is not producing enough oils.
Tips for a Furry Coat
Feed a high-quality diet. A good diet will have enough protein to support fur production.
Give Omega Fatty Acids supplements (Omega 3 & 6). These nutrients are essential for skin and coat health. Ask your vet for a recommended dosage, or for a supplement you can apply right on the skin. If using an oral liquid supplement, be mindful that these oils expire quickly when exposed to light, oxygen, or heat. Be sure to find one with a tight seal, dark bottle, and store it in the fridge. Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil is a great product to not only provide these nutrients and look after their skin and coat, but also support all of the major organs for overall well-being. DHA is the important Omega-3 that is critical for brain, eye and heart health, has anti-inflammatory properties and is also linked to improved learning in puppies.
Use flea and tick prevention. Skin parasites can cause fur loss and irritation. Anytime the outdoor temperature is above freezing, fleas and ticks can stay active. Avoid long grassy areas, since these are notorious for hosting ticks. Regularly check your pet’s skin, especially their ears, face, neck, and armpits.
Maintain their ideal weight. An overweight animal can find it impossible to reach around and clean their hind end and belly. The extra fat leads to loose, hanging skin around their hind end. If left uncleaned, bacteria make a home and infection commonly results.
Regular brushing. This will help your pet stay matt-free. If matts are left untouched, they quickly grow bigger – and bigger – until they constantly pull at the skin. This hurts! Regular brushing also rotates the dead coat with the new coat growing in, which reduces the major coat change with different seasons.
Bathe, but not too much. Bathing with a pet-safe shampoo and conditioner can help to eliminate bacteria that is sitting on the fur. However, washing them too much can lead to dry skin and irritation. Dog bathing schedules depends on their activity level and breed, but you can use every 1-3 months as a guideline. To the contrary, your cat will likely not enjoy being bathed. If your cat is grooming themself well, and able to reach all areas of their body, then bathing is probably not necessary.
Always remember - fur problems warrant a visit to the doctor. Schedule an exam if you notice symptoms like patchy fur, changes to their coat, or if your cat is not grooming well. These can be signs of a hormone imbalance, pain, anxiety, or another sickness.
With this hair-care routine, your pet will be feeling - and looking - fabulous!
Recommended Products:
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