Who doesn't love patting, scratching and snuggling their pooches ?
Who prefers their pooches to be clean, healthy and not smell like a wet towel that was accidently left in the washing machine for a week?
Why is coat health important, not just for us as humans, but for our dogs?
Dogs have all kinds of coats; short , medium, long haired, double-coated, single coated, silky, rough, curly, wired, smooth. Dog have different coats for different reasons but keeping a healthy coat on your dog is so important!
Your dogs coat protects their skin and organs from external stresses like chemicals and objects. It also helps with thermoregulation by keeping the body at optimal temperature whether that be cool them down or warm them up.
How do I keep my dog's coat healthy?
Diet and supplementation:
The food your pet eats has a major impact on the condition of their coat. A diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals is essential for healthy skin and coat maintenance.
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA, are beneficial for protecting and keeping the coat shiny. EPA also helps fight inflammation, which is important for overall skin health. You can find omega-3 fatty acids in Antinol® Plus, and whole foods such as marine animals like salmon and sardines, just to name a couple.
Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in nuts, corn, soy, flaxseed, and other sources including Antinol®, is crucial for maintaining a healthy coat. Pets who have dry, flaky skin are often deficient in this acid. Low levels of linoleic acid in the skin and diet can lead to thin hair, discoloured hair, increased shedding, and poor healing.
Zinc is especially important for skin health due to the high cellular turnover rate caused by constant shedding. Hair loss, skin infections, and a dull coat are common symptoms of zinc deficiency. It is important to ensure that your pet's diet includes an adequate amount of zinc to maintain healthy skin and overall health.
Regular Grooming/Brushing:
This is no surprise that brushing your dog's will help immensely with coat health and condition. Brushing your dog's regularly, no matter the coat type (unless they are hairless) helps spread all the natural oils through to the ends of the hair and prevent buildup. This is why, unless advised by your vet, that washing dogs regularly is not recommended as it can wash away all natural oils.
Brushing the hair helps prevent matting and knots which can cause irritation and pain to your pets due to the pulling of the skin. Buildup of matting can also cause infections that can easily be avoided by a simple brush.
It can also help reduce your dog's shedding, so less vacuuming for pet parents!! It also gives owners the opportunity to look for any cuts, fleas, ticks, irriations, infections or those pesky grass seeds!
Lastly, it gives your dog a shine and looks aesthetically pleasing and healthy, not to mention smooth and soft to touch, for those, oh so wonderful, couch snuggles.
A healthy coat is a very obvious indicator of your dog's overall health. If you are concerned with the look or feel of their coat, please consult your vet and keep in mind everything that's been mentioned above. If you would like more information about Antinol Plus and coat conditions, please send us an email at info@antinol.com.au with any questions!
