How to keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy

November 21, 2018

When ‘For the Love of Dogs’ were at Battersea Windsor this week, we met poor Humphrey who was having a hard time with his skin. It’s important to care for your dog’s coat and upkeep doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming, so here are 5 tips to keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy.

1. Regular grooming

Brushing and grooming your pup’s coat is an important step in keeping their skin in good condition. Not only will this help matting and knots, but the oils released during brushing lead to a shinier coat too and help to keep skin moisturised. Your four-legged friend will need brushing as frequently as their coat and breed requires, and short haired dogs may fare better with a soft grooming glove rather than a brush.

2. Protect against fleas and ticks

Fleas and ticks are common in pets and it’s perfectly normal for them to experience itching when this happens. An easy way that you can help your furry friends is by visiting your vets for over the counter solutions, such as spot on and tablets. So, if you notice your dog itching and scratching be sure to check they’re not being bitten by parasites.

3. Keep them hydrated

Just as we need water to keep our skin looking and feeling its best, so do our dogs. Fresh, clean water should always be accessible to your canine comrade, and usually your pup will need 1oz (28ml) water for every pound they weigh.

Dog taking a bath covered in soapy bubbles

4. Don’t over bathe

Our lovely dogs can get dirty and a bit smelly from time to time, so bath time might be due, however, it’s important not to over bathe. This can lead to dry skin and irritation as it limits the production of the natural self-cleaning oils that our dogs produce. You must also be sure to use products suitable for dogs, as using human shampoo or shower gel can be too harsh on their skin.

5. Feed them well

Your dog’s diet will influence how healthy they look on the outside as well as how healthy they are on the inside. Here at Lintbells, we’re devoted to keeping your four-legged friends happy inside and out, which is why we have developed YuDERM. Our YuDERM range is specifically formulated with natural ingredients such as Zinc, Omega 3 and 6 oils and Golden Flax to help calm sensitive skin, boost coat growth and condition and reduce excess moulting.

Watch ITV’s ‘For the Love of Dogs’ every Wednesday on ITV at 8pm.