How To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Fur

By Author: Isabella Whitmore
Total Articles: 106
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Having a dog involves lots of responsibilities. Such as providing nutritious food, clean water, regular exercise, a good place to stay, and proper grooming. Especially for dog breeds that have long and thick fur. That is why it is important to consider a dog’s fur when getting one. As some dogs have coat that may be difficult to maintain with your lifestyle.

Understanding dogs’ fur is crucial in taking care of it. So, you know what to expect and don’t rush to the vet unnecessarily. There are two layers in a dog’s coat. An undercoat to protect them against cold weather and a topcoat to repel water and dirt from reaching their skin. The latter also serve as additional layer to keep them warm.

Some dogs have double-coat. Such as: German Shepherds, huskies, Japanese Spitz, Bernese Mountain dogs, collies, and corgis to name a few. Others have single-coat or don’t have undercoat. Like Afghan hound, poodle, Maltese, and chihuahua. Double-coat breeds leave more hair than single-coat breeds around the house as their undercoat shed seasonally.

So if you noticed your pet’s hair getting thin, you may want ...
... to check if it belongs to the double-coated breeds. As this is normal for them. There is nothing to worry, no need to visit the vet for checkup, as their thick coat will grow back again.

Whether your pooch is single or double-coated breed, it needs proper care and grooming to have a shiny fur. Nutrition plays an important role in your pet’s coat. A poor diet lacking the key nutrients can greatly affect its skin and growth of hair. A healthy diet for dogs is rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Which promotes silky hair and moistened skin. Most quality dog foods are high in these nutrients. You can also offer Omegas in capsule supplements.

Shampoo is another key factor in maintaining a beautiful coat. It is helpful to know your pet’s skin type to choose the right shampoo for him/her. If your pooch has a sensitive skin, it is better to use a moisturizing shampoo to avoid skin dryness. There are dog shampoos that are too strong for sensitive skin causing itchy and flaky skin problems. This can result to dry fur or balding in the affected part.

For puppies, there are shampoos for young dogs which are more gentle than regular shampoos. For long-furs, it is best to use tangle-fighting shampoos. There are also shine boosting shampoos to help replenish natural oils in their skin. You may also use a dog conditioner to provide additional nourishment for their hair. It is best to avoid anti-tick shampoo as most are too strong especially if you use it every bath time.

If your lovely pet has ticks or flees, it is best to consult a vet for a prescription. There are injectables, chewable tablets, or sprays to keep your dog free from these unwanted parasites. Relying on anti-tick shampoo to combat this problem is never a good idea. Ticks and flees will just go down momentarily from the pooch’s body. Hide in the corner or carpet. Then go up again after a few days when the shampoo’s odor subsides.

Regular brushing comes with lots of benefits for your pet. (1) It improves blood circulation which is great for their overall health. (2) It removes dead cells in the skin. (3) Removes old and fallen hair. (4) Prevents matting especially for double coat and long fur dogs. (5) Make the fur shine. And (6) A good bonding experience for you both.

Following these tips should be enough for your pooch to have a shiny and healthy fur. If not, it is best to talk to a veterinarian. Your dog may have an underlying problem. It might have mites which cannot be seen by our naked eyes. Or skin allergies from food or shampoo. The only way to know is to conduct tests which can be done by a professional. Find out what the vet has to say and follow his/her recommendation to bring back your pet’s beautiful coat.

Just like humans, a dog’s fur is its crowning glory. A shiny and healthy coat makes a pooch looks great and stunning. But most importantly, it protects their skin from the sun, keeps them warm during cold weathers and keeps dirt and water away from their skin. That is why taking care of your beloved pet’s fur is crucial for their health and comfort.

Isabella Whitmore is a dog owner and a volunteer foster fur parent for dogs who need a temporary shelter before they find their forever homes. She works at https://electrickettlesplus.com, an appliance website that offers all types of electric kettles.