Your dog’s skin can let you know how he’s feeling throughout the rest of his body. And that’s because skin health is directly linked to other areas of your pet’s wellness and can be greatly affected when there are health issues elsewhere in the body. Here are some of the things you might not know affect your dog and his skin and coat.
Your Dog’s Diet Influence Skin Wellness
You are what you eat and the same goes for your pet. Your dog’s diet plays a big role in his overall health but is also key when it comes to skin wellness. If he’s not consuming enough animal protein and a balanced diet filled with the vitamins and minerals his body needs, it can cause skin issues to develop. This is especially obvious if your dog is not eating enough Omega Fatty Acids, since these compounds are particularly important to promote skin wellness.
Allergies Can Cause Dog Skin Conditions
When dogs get allergies, they may experience a runny nose, sneezing and coughing. But, it’s far more likely that your pup will get seriously itchy and experience some sort of skin issue. Whether your dog is allergic to an environmental allergen that’s responsible for his seasonal allergies or he has a sensitivity to a food ingredient, your dog’s allergy, no matter what it is, will almost always affect his skin health. Allergies stress out your pet’s immune system, which then puts undue stress on the rest of his body. This usually manifests in skin issues and can lead your dog to develop dry skin, flaking, itchiness, oozing or other uncomfortable skin symptoms.
Digestive Health Can Affect Your Pet’s Skin
Did you know that the majority of your dog’s immune system lives in his digestive tract? This means that if your dog is experiencing digestive distress or has a digestive health issue, it directly affects his overall health and immune system. This factors into skin health., as well. Plus, if your dog’s digestive system isn’t functioning at its best, his body isn't able to absorb all the nutrients it needs from the food Fido eats, and that nutrient deficiency can lead to skin issues, as well.
Age & Breed Can Affect Your Pet’s Skin Health
Certain dog breeds are more prone to developing allergies, and to having skin issues, than others. While not every dog will follow in their relative’s footsteps, it is commonly known that particular breeds can be predisposed to having skin issues. This is most often seen in dogs that have ‘fat rolls’ or skin that tends to overlap in areas. We’re talking Pugs and Shar Peis, because the skin in their roly-poly areas can develop skin issues.
Your dog’s age also factors into his skin health. As your pup gets older, his immune system has to work harder than ever to support his health and his skin changes over time. His body is no longer producing certain compounds that once kept it healthy and youthful. And that’s exactly why senior dogs tend to have more skin issues than adult dogs.
Emotional Wellness Plays A Role In Skin Health
Your dog’s stress levels and emotional wellness directly affect his skin health, as well. If your dog is on edge all the time, his body is pumping out stress hormones that in turn affect his immune system and the health of his skin. The same is true if your dog is anxious or depressed. Emotional wellness is key to your dog’s overall health including the state of his skin.
Your Dog’s Weight Can Affect His Skin Health
Dogs that are overweight or obese tend to experience more skin issues than pets at a healthy weight for their breed, age and size. Carrying around extra pounds takes a serious toll on your dog’s body and it can affect his skin health. This is why it’s so important to help your pet get regular exercise, to feed a healthy diet and to manage your dog’s weight to keep him healthy.
There are few areas of your dog’s body and overall health that don’t end up affecting his skin in some way or another. It’s so important to support your dog with the nutrients he needs to stay healthy and to bring him in for regular Vet visits to make sure he’s living his healthiest, happiest life. This will help him live for years to come and to maintain his glowing skin and shining coat.
PetHonesty Products To Support Dog Skin Health
When you want to show your dog’s skin a little extra love, consider adding some supplements to his diet. Reach for one like Advanced Allergy SkinHealth Chews, which target your dog’s immune system and support his skin health from within. They include ingredients like Vitamin C and Echinacea to help your dog’s skin stay strong. Or, pick up Omega SkinHealth. They’re packed with Omega Fatty Acids from fish oil, salmon oil and spirulina to help your dog's skin barrier stay strong and promote healthy skin.
Sources:
https://www.thewaggintrain.com/services/dogs/dog-skin-problems
https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/common-skin-problems-in-dogs/
