Dog Herbs and supplements for healthy coat and skin
A dog’s coat is a dip stick for its health. A dull, shedding, flaky coat can be a symptom of poor nutrition or caused by an undiagnosed disease. Allergies can also cause itching skin and bald spots. Visually assessing the coat is a valuable tool in measuring the holistic health of the dog.
The first factor to consider in a dog with a poor coat is its diet. Every dog is different and a food that is a perfect fit for one dog may not supply everything that another dog needs exactly. While feeding a dog the commercial dog food equivalent of Mcdonalds keeps them full and provides the major macronutrients a dog needs, it may not supply all of the additional vitamins and minerals a dog needs to thrive. It also may not provide the proper balance of nutrients a dog needs. Upgrading the food of the dog may help to improve the coat of the dog and also its holistic health.
A supplement that frequently works wonders on a dog with dry skin and coat is fish oil. Fish oil supplements from the local health food store work well. It usually comes in gel capsules that can easily be emptied over the dog’s food. The additional fatty acids help to lubricate the dog’s coat for improved luster. Sardines packed in water are also an excellent source of fish oil to add to a meal.
There are also herbal supplements that can improve the coat from within. Oregon grape is one herb that is often used to improve skin or there are different herbal supplements that can be purchased.
Food allergies and environmental allergies can cause dry skin, itching and baldness. The most common symptom of food allergies is generalized itching. Itching can become severe enough that the dog creates open cuts on its skin. Obviously this causes hair loss. The skin can also become crusty and flake. The prevalence of more severe allergies occurs in certain breeds, like French bull dogs. Food allergies can be conquered through testing or pinpointing allergens.
When the diet of a dog is judged to be sufficient but the dry, flaky coat persists, this can be a sign of an underlying disease. Endocrine disfunction like hypothyroidism or cushing’s disease can manifest as a poor coat. Other symptoms of disease in conjunction with the coat merits testing. A veterinarian can test for thyroid function and this can be treated with herbs in mild cases. If the herbs prove to be ineffective, the synthetic hormone thyroxine may be prescribed. While I am an advocate of natural remedies and healthy lifestyle choices for disease prevention, thyroid hormone may be necessary for a dog with an endocrine disorder to live a happy, healthy life. Often this type of disorder is caused by the body having destroyed thyroid tissue due to an autoimmune response. The body may have a very limited margin to heal naturally in cases like this. Symptoms often resolve quickly following hormonal therapy.
A healthy coat not only signifies a healthy dog but it also reduces the need for vacuuming! A healthy coat will shed less than a dry, itchy coat. Any dog would be eternally grateful for relieving that insufferable itch.
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A dog’s coat is a dip stick for its health. A dull, shedding, flaky coat can be a symptom of poor nutrition or caused by an undiagnosed disease. Allergies can also cause itching skin and bald spots. Visually assessing the coat is a valuable tool in measuring the holistic health of the dog.
The first factor to consider in a dog with a poor coat is its diet. Every dog is different and a food that is a perfect fit for one dog may not supply everything that another dog needs exactly. While feeding a dog the commercial dog food equivalent of Mcdonalds keeps them full and provides the major macronutrients a dog needs, it may not supply all of the additional vitamins and minerals a dog needs to thrive. It also may not provide the proper balance of nutrients a dog needs. Upgrading the food of the dog may help to improve the coat of the dog and also its holistic health.
A supplement that frequently works wonders on a dog with dry skin and coat is fish oil. Fish oil supplements from the local health food store work well. It usually comes in gel capsules that can easily be emptied over the dog’s food. The additional fatty acids help to lubricate the dog’s coat for improved luster. Sardines packed in water are also an excellent source of fish oil to add to a meal.
There are also herbal supplements that can improve the coat from within. Oregon grape is one herb that is often used to improve skin or there are different herbal supplements that can be purchased.
Food allergies and environmental allergies can cause dry skin, itching and baldness. The most common symptom of food allergies is generalized itching. Itching can become severe enough that the dog creates open cuts on its skin. Obviously this causes hair loss. The skin can also become crusty and flake. The prevalence of more severe allergies occurs in certain breeds, like French bull dogs. Food allergies can be conquered through testing or pinpointing allergens.
When the diet of a dog is judged to be sufficient but the dry, flaky coat persists, this can be a sign of an underlying disease. Endocrine disfunction like hypothyroidism or cushing’s disease can manifest as a poor coat. Other symptoms of disease in conjunction with the coat merits testing. A veterinarian can test for thyroid function and this can be treated with herbs in mild cases. If the herbs prove to be ineffective, the synthetic hormone thyroxine may be prescribed. While I am an advocate of natural remedies and healthy lifestyle choices for disease prevention, thyroid hormone may be necessary for a dog with an endocrine disorder to live a happy, healthy life. Often this type of disorder is caused by the body having destroyed thyroid tissue due to an autoimmune response. The body may have a very limited margin to heal naturally in cases like this. Symptoms often resolve quickly following hormonal therapy.
A healthy coat not only signifies a healthy dog but it also reduces the need for vacuuming! A healthy coat will shed less than a dry, itchy coat. Any dog would be eternally grateful for relieving that insufferable itch.
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Dog coat as a measure of Holistic Health
January 14th, 2010
