Wednesday, November 6, 2024
HomeDogsSkin and Coat Problems

Skin and Coat Problems

Minor skin and coat problems can often be addressed by diet

But if your dog’s problems are severe or if there is no improvement, please speak to your vet.

What to look out for?

  • Continual scratching or biting of the skin.
  • A greasy, smelly coat.
  • Constant moulting.

Why can diet help?

Dogs have allergies too, and while no food offers a cure, you can avoid problematic ingredients that your dog may react to. Any ingredient has the potential to trigger a reaction, so identifying the cause can be quite a challenge.

Allergy tests

Vets offer several types of allergy tests in which the dog’s skin or blood is assessed for reactions to a number of foods and environmental factors.

Exclusion diets

Remove anything from your dog’s diet that is likely to be causing a problem. The simpler the diet, the better.

  • Remove all treats.
  • Choose another dog food with as few ingredients in common with the current food as possible. For example, if the current food contains chicken, rice and maize, look for one that uses salmon and potato instead.
  • Change the diet gradually over about a week.

You may not see an immediate improvement; it may take up to 12 weeks before you notice a difference. Some dogs might appear to get worse before they get better. This is called the ‘detox period’ and generally begins within a week or two of the food change, and lasts for another week or two. If these or any other symptoms continue or worsen, or if you are at all unsure at any stage, please speak to your vet.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current developments. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, please be aware that details, prices, and recommendations may change over time. Always consult with a professional or relevant expert for specific advice related to your pet's needs. Pets24 does not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here
Captcha verification failed!
CAPTCHA user score failed. Please contact us!
Pets24
Pets24
South Africa’s largest online community for everything Pets. Learn how to train your pets, what they should be eating, where you can get help for them, and where you can find verified breeders & adoption centres if you want another!

Popular Cat Articles

Popular Dog Articles

Contact Us

Name(Required)
Filters
What are you looking for?
Blogs Categories
Listing Categories
Locations