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To keep your dog’s skin healthy and hydrated, use oatmeal baths for soothing relief. Natural oils like coconut or olive oil can be applied topically or added to food for moisture. Diluted vinegar rinses balance pH and relieve itchiness. Consider vitamin E oil or small amounts of yogurt. Pet-safe moisturizers are great for noses and paws. Prevent dryness by regular brushing to distribute natural oils, gentle massages to improve circulation, proper bathing with lukewarm water and moisturizing shampoos (avoid over-bathing and human products), air drying, a balanced diet rich in fatty acids, and using a humidifier in dry climates. Consult a vet for persistent issues like excessive scratching, hair loss, redness, or sores.
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 so that the barrier functions 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 its level of elasticity. Dry skin in dogs can also cause them to itch, scratch, or constantly lick, which is not a good sign.
We want our pets always to 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. Below, we will list some of the most well-known and effective ways 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 a 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 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. However, ensuring that the oil is warm and not too hot is important. You can use a brush to rub it on the coat.
Remember to Moisturize your 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 benefit the dog’s skin. It should not be taken internally but 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 true 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; therefore, it is important to understand that only some things will work for your dog the same way. You can spend some time researching and consulting your vet to find 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 take measures to prevent their skin from going dry and flaky.
Dry and flaky skin can irritate and make it 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 fur before brushing, 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 helps distribute the body oils on their skin and 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 dry their skin.
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 utilizing a towel. After them, please 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 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
Keeping your dogs inside the house during extremely cold weather is best. 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 requires 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.
