Is your pooch suffering from a dull dog coat? If you answered yes, then this is for you. Today we will discuss anything and everything about this coat problem.

 

SYMPTOMS

 

You would know your dog’s coat is dull if they have lost the natural luster on their coat, if they shed excessively and if you notice flaking on their skin.

 

CAUSES

 

A dog’s dull coat is mostly attributed to two reasons:

 

-        Poor grooming

-        Poor nutrition

 

What people fail to realize is that in this case, a dog’s coat is just like human hair. You have to take care of it through regular shampooing and brushing. Brushing is not only good for removing tangles but it also induces the glands on their skin to release oil. This oil acts as a good natural conditioner to the dog’s coat. However, if brushing does not work, then that means that you should perhaps consider changing the food that (s)he eats.

 

SOLUTION

 

1. At the first sight of dog dull coat, try giving your pet a mild shampoo and conditioner. Check the coat after bathing and check for any improvements.

 

1. If this doesn’t work, try giving your dog a natural dog skin balm , one that conditions and helps bring back your dog’s lustrous coat. There are different ones out there, just type in “dull dog coat balm” in Google or Bing for a list of products.

 

1. If nothing else seems to work, then it’s time to bring your pet to a veterinarian to help you isolate the root of the problem. Isolating the root cause is necessary to help you identify the next step that you should take. If you found that your dog is under nourished, you can help him get back in tip top shape by giving him supplements and changing the food that you are giving him. (For more tips on proper dog food, go to http://k9kourier.com and listen to Natural Veterinary Expert Dr. Moira’s interview…)

 

PREVENTION

 

Dull dog coats can be prevented primarily by giving your dog appropriate care. In this case, appropriate care means keeping them clean regularly and using the right shampoo for them. Stay away from “human” shampoo as the chemicals used in them may just bring further allergic reaction. In addition, to help maintain the cleanliness of their coat make it a point to brush them at least once a day. Remove tangles and trim if you must. 

 

In terms of nutrition, you can ascertain if your dog is getting what he needs by checking on the label of the dog food you are giving him or her. Since hair is mostly made up of protein, choose something that has adequate protein content for their body musculature. However, if you are not confident on buying commercially made dog food, you can always opt to prepare your dog’s meal yourself. Below is a simple recipe that you can try making.

 

Ingredients:

 

-                    1 cup of boiled and chopped poultry (chicken, turkey, etc.)

-                    ½ cup of cooked organic rice

-                    ½ to ¾ cup of chopped mixed vegetables

-                    3 to 4 tablespoons of broth (either chicken or fish broth will do)

 

Just combine the ingredients in a bowl and let it rest. You can serve it once it goes down to room temperature. Do not season as additional flavorings like MSG can be harmful for dogs. If you wish, you can also add the supplements that your dog is taking to further fortify their meal.

 

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For more tips on keeping your dog’s skin healthy, visit www.k9klearup.com and download the 52-page “Official Dog Coat & Skin Care Guide” for FREE!

 

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This entry was posted on Thursday, August 27th, 2009 at 8:45 am and is filed under Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.