How to Moisturize Dog Skin?

‍

Why Do We Need to Moisturize Dog Skin?

Moisturizing your skin helps maintain a barrier between the climate and your skin that keeps it safe from the harmful toxins in the environment. And this is the same for your dogs as well.

They are playful creatures who often like to roam around everywhere and even play in the dirt, which can make their skin dirty and filled with debris. This can be destructive to the skin barrier formed by the coat.

The most important function of a dog’s coat is to protect the skin from external elements that can damage the skin and make it dry. Therefore, it is very important to moisturize dog skin for the barrier to function properly.

And what do we humans do when we need to hydrate our skin? We moisturize. And it is the same for your dogs too. Their skin needs moisture to maintain the level of elasticity in it. Dry skin in dogs can also cause them to itch, scratch, or constantly lick, which is not a good sign.

We want our pets to always be comfortable and happy because it keeps us happy. So, we must take the appropriate measures to moisturize their skin.

How to Moisturize Dog Skin?

There are a lot of ways to moisturize your dog’s skin. We will be listing some of the most well-known and effective ways below that you can use for your beloved furry pets.

Use Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner

Oatmeal is a great ingredient for moisturizing the skin. Shampoos and conditioners made with oatmeal can be very beneficial for your dog’s skin. It has inflammatory properties that protect the skin from getting dried and soothe irritation and itchiness.

An oatmeal bath will hydrate the dog’s skin and prevent dryness by forming a barrier around the skin.

Rinse with Vinegar

Natural ingredients have become popular over the years, and vinegar is one of them. The use of vinegar in 50/50 proportion with water can also be a way to treat a dog’s dry skin and bring back the moisture that it needs. It can help relieve the itchy skin that is caused by dry skin and other skin conditions.

Melted Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has a lot of skin benefits and improves skin health in general. It can be a great natural ingredient to moisturize dog skin.

Coconut oil can be melted to a liquid form and used on the dog’s skin. But it is important to ensure that the oil is not too hot and just warm. You can use a brush to rub it on the coat.

Remember to Moisturize their Nose and Paws

Nose and paws should not be forgotten while hydrating your dog’s skin. Products can be bought from pet shops to apply to these areas. All the shop-bought materials can include ingredients like vitamin E oil, coconut oil, etc.

A Tablespoon of Vitamin E Oil

In extreme cases of dry skin, vitamin E oil can be very beneficial for the dog skin. It should not be taken internally but should be applied externally to the affected area. It can be rubbed into the skin with a little massage.

Not all dogs require the same amount of Vitamin E oil; therefore, it is important to consult a veterinarian.

Give a Try to Olive Oil

Olive oil is said to be good for human skin, and the same is for dog skin. It can be consumed internally. Give your dog one tablespoon of olive oil several times a week. It will result in a shiny coat of hydrated and supple skin.

Feed them yogurt

Yogurt contains good bacteria that can help maintain the skin’s moisture level. It can be given in small amounts every day to improve its system’s health.

You can choose whichever way you feel is best for your dog and see the results for yourself.

However, always remember that every dog’s skin is different from one another; therefore, it is important to understand that not everything will work for your dog the same way. You can spend some time researching and consulting your vet to come up with the best solution for your pet.

Is Moisturizing Always Enough?

Even though moisturizing is extremely important to keep their skin healthy, it is not the only thing you can do for them. It is always better to also take some measures that can prevent their skin from going dry and flaky.

Dry and flaky skin can be very irritating and uncomfortable for your dog and affect their mood and health.

Let’s discuss some steps that you can take to help your dog’s skin prevent dryness.

Brush Your Dog Regularly

Brushing your dog’s skin regularly can help remove the dirt and debris on their skin. It also helps to prevent mats and tangles that can restrict the airflow to the skin leading to dry skin.

Your dog’s natural doggy oils will also get distributed through proper and regular brushing. These doggy oils help to keep the dog’s coat of skin healthy. Use a mist to spray on the dog’s coat before starting to brush, and maybe add a drop or two of essential oil that will soothe and moisturize the skin.

Massage Your Dog

Massage can help your dogs in a lot of ways. It not only helps distribute the body oils on their skin but also increases the blood flow.

Massaging can help provide the right nutrients to the skin, keeping it hydrated and supple. Use a rubber glove to massage your dog.

Right-Way of Bathing

When there is a lot of dirt and debris present on the dog’s skin, it causes it to go dry. This may occur due to excessive use of water and soap on their body.

It is important to remember that a dog should not be over-bathed or under-bathed. Keep it to either 1-2 times a month or not more than 1-2 times a week.

Also, remember not to use hot water while bathing your dog because it can make their skin extremely dry.

Importance of Air Drying Dogs

Using a blow dryer is not as harmful to humans as it is for their pets. Dogs have thinner skin than humans.

There is a risk that their skin might get burnt if the dryer temperature is too high. This can also cause damage to their skin tissue.

It is advised to use dryers made specifically for dogs, or they can be pat dried using a towel. And after them, keep them in a warm and dry location to air dry them.

Use Moisturizing Bath Products

It is important to use moisturizing dog shampoo while bathing your dog. Rinsing it well after us will help remove the build-up of dirt and debris on their skin. And a moisturizing conditioner will lock the moisture into their skin. Do not use human products on your dog.

Keep the Diet in Check

Diet is a very important aspect of a dog’s health. Whatever goes inside them also affects the condition of their skin.

A raw diet can give them the necessary nutrients to keep their skin healthy and hydrated. A diet including essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants can keep the skin healthy.

A Humidifier Can be Very Helpful

It is best to keep your dogs inside the house during extremely cold weather. And adding a humidifier in that weather to your décor can be very helpful for your dog’s dry skin.

Dry skin is certainly not very enjoyable for even us humans, so it is easy to understand how frustrating it might be for the dogs.

We all need grooming to keep our skin healthy and hydrated. But, your dog needs your assistance in doing the same.

Nobody wants their dogs to suffer from itching and scratching. So, if you want to be a responsible dog owner, keep the condition of your dog’s skin always in check, and remember to take all the preventive measures to keep it moisturized and healthy after taking notes on how to moisturize dog skin.