 |
| © Jessica Peterson - Getty Images Just like humans, dogs can suffer from dry, itchy skin. Here are the causes, symptoms, and home remedies to treat dry skin on dogs and keep them happy and itch-free. |
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from dry skin. And unsurprisingly, some of the same causes of the condition in humans are responsible for dry skin on dogs, too. Although it's generally more of a discomfort than a serious danger to your pet, dry skin can be spotted and treated effectively so that your pup is back to living his best life in no time. Here are the the causes, symptoms, and most effective ways to treat dry skin on dogs, according to veterinarians.
What causes dry skin on dogs?
When the weather changes — or even when the conditions within a dog’s indoor environment change — dry skin can strike. “Dry skin in dogs can be due to environmental changes, such as cold weather in the winter [or low air humidity],” says Dr. Juliette Bouillon, assistant professor at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Another factor could be your dog’s food. She notes that “poor nutrition,” including deficiencies in protein, vitamins, or essential fatty acids, could be a culprit.
Another factor could be your dog’s food. She notes that “poor nutrition,” including deficiencies in protein, vitamins, or essential fatty acids, could be a culprit.
Just like people, dogs can suffer allergies to a number of different factors in their environment. "Because allergies can cause excessive itching in dogs and cats, it is one of the major causes of dry skin,” says Dr. Amanda Nascimento, the head of integrative veterinary medicine and research at NHV Natural Pet. “It can be caused by ingestion of food, dust, or liquids, for example.”
Similarly, all those baths you think are helping your dog stay in top condition might actually have the opposite effect on their skin. “Excessive bathing can also lead to dry skin, especially when the shampoo is not followed by a moisturizer,” Bouillon notes.
In some cases, your dog’s dry skin could be something more serious. “Ultimately, scaling can develop in association with some illnesses such as endocrine diseases (hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, diabetes mellitus), skin allergies, resolving skin infections, parasitic infestations (mange, lice, Cheyletiella) and, more rarely, cancer or genetic diseases like ichthyosis (fish scale disease),” Bouillon warns.
Similarly, all those baths you think are helping your dog stay in top condition might actually have the opposite effect on their skin. “Excessive bathing can also lead to dry skin, especially when the shampoo is not followed by a moisturizer,” Bouillon notes.
In some cases, your dog’s dry skin could be something more serious. “Ultimately, scaling can develop in association with some illnesses such as endocrine diseases (hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, diabetes mellitus), skin allergies, resolving skin infections, parasitic infestations (mange, lice, Cheyletiella) and, more rarely, cancer or genetic diseases like ichthyosis (fish scale disease),” Bouillon warns.
What are the symptoms of dry skin on dogs?
Because there are several different causes of dry skin on dogs, there are also a range of symptoms. “The first step is to be able to identify dry skin,” says Wag! advisory board member and veterinarian Dr. Ann Eliopulos. “Typically, these dogs will have a lackluster coat and flakes, which are dead skin cells that are sloughing off. A certain amount of flaking is normal, but excessive amounts and/or chronic flaking is not.”
Other symptoms are more serious and often require a visit to the vet, says Dr. Gary Richter, a veterinarian with Rover.com. These symptoms include redness, which can indicate inflammation in the skin from an allergic or infectious cause; crusting, which may indicate a fungal, bacterial, or parasitic infection; itchiness, which could indicate parasites, allergies, bacterial, or fungal infections; hair loss, which could indicate endocrine changes, autoimmune disorders that attack the skin and fur, parasites, or fungal infections; or an odor, which is usually indicative of a yeast infection that is a common secondary infection with bacterial or other infections. In many of these cases, your vet will recommend effective prescription medications as a next step.
Other symptoms are more serious and often require a visit to the vet, says Dr. Gary Richter, a veterinarian with Rover.com. These symptoms include redness, which can indicate inflammation in the skin from an allergic or infectious cause; crusting, which may indicate a fungal, bacterial, or parasitic infection; itchiness, which could indicate parasites, allergies, bacterial, or fungal infections; hair loss, which could indicate endocrine changes, autoimmune disorders that attack the skin and fur, parasites, or fungal infections; or an odor, which is usually indicative of a yeast infection that is a common secondary infection with bacterial or other infections. In many of these cases, your vet will recommend effective prescription medications as a next step.
What are the best treatments for dry skin on dogs?
If there are no underlying causes requiring further treatment, follow a healthy, vet-advised protocol to keep your pet’s skin moist and decrease dry skin.
First, make sure your dog’s shampoo is gentle and moisturizing (human shampoo is at the wrong pH), then follow up with a conditioner, suggests Dr. Richter. After the shampoo, don’t blow dry your pet’s coat. “Even cool blow dryers will dry out the coat, Richter notes. “Toweling down and blotting to absorb the majority of the moisture will be effective enough and your pet will naturally take care of the rest.”
Make sure your dog’s food is nutritionally balanced. Most packaged pet food from pet stores is nutritionally balanced for dogs, but “look for the AAFCO symbol on the back of pet food to be sure,” Richter advises. “If this symbol is not on the feed packaging, then it is not being appropriately regulated and may not contain the nutrients your pet needs to maintain healthy skin and a fur coat.”
Consider supplementing your pet’s diet with products like fish oil and probiotics to improve the coat and skin condition. Adding a little moist food and supplying abundant fresh water will also increase your pet’s hydration intake and add moisture to the skin.
Beyond that, make sure you’re keeping up your flea-prevention treatments all year long. "This is a standard veterinary recommendation, even if you rarely see a flea. That’s because as soon as a flea jumps on and bites your pet, the saliva is allergenic enough to cause itching and scratching which creates a vicious cycle of inflammation and infection,” Dr. Richter says. “It’s better to just prevent a bite.”
First, make sure your dog’s shampoo is gentle and moisturizing (human shampoo is at the wrong pH), then follow up with a conditioner, suggests Dr. Richter. After the shampoo, don’t blow dry your pet’s coat. “Even cool blow dryers will dry out the coat, Richter notes. “Toweling down and blotting to absorb the majority of the moisture will be effective enough and your pet will naturally take care of the rest.”
Make sure your dog’s food is nutritionally balanced. Most packaged pet food from pet stores is nutritionally balanced for dogs, but “look for the AAFCO symbol on the back of pet food to be sure,” Richter advises. “If this symbol is not on the feed packaging, then it is not being appropriately regulated and may not contain the nutrients your pet needs to maintain healthy skin and a fur coat.”
Consider supplementing your pet’s diet with products like fish oil and probiotics to improve the coat and skin condition. Adding a little moist food and supplying abundant fresh water will also increase your pet’s hydration intake and add moisture to the skin.
Beyond that, make sure you’re keeping up your flea-prevention treatments all year long. "This is a standard veterinary recommendation, even if you rarely see a flea. That’s because as soon as a flea jumps on and bites your pet, the saliva is allergenic enough to cause itching and scratching which creates a vicious cycle of inflammation and infection,” Dr. Richter says. “It’s better to just prevent a bite.”
