Your dog’s coat is one of the clearest indications of your dog’s overall health. A dull or damaged coat may indicate disease, poor grooming or parasites. If you’re determined that your dog isn’t suffering from a medical condition that affects his coat, it’s easy to make your dog’s coat shine. Here are 5 tried and tested ways that will help you achieve a silky coat of your dog.

Feed Your Dog A Healthy And Well Balanced Diet

If you buy a commercial dog food, make sure it contains the proper balance of nutrients. You should choose a product that is dosage specific to your dog by consulting your vet. A nutritionally-rich diet is important in maintaining health and condition of your dog’s coat.

If you choose to make your own dog food, talk with your vet and make sure it’s got the right balance of vitamins and minerals. Making your own dog food at home is a great way to be completely sure of what you’re feeding your dog.

Supplement Your Dog’s Diet With Omega Fatty Acids

Look for an omega-6 supplement or consider adding safflower or sunflower oil to your dog’s food. If adding the oil, give 1 teaspoon a day to a small dog or 1 tablespoon a day to a large dog. It can cause diarrhea so you should avoid giving in excess. Omega-3 fatty acids have a greater anti-inflammatory effect and it’s healthy to give your dog. These are found in flaxseed and fish oils. Regardless of the supplement you choose, always follow the packaging for dosage instructions.

Groom Your Dog Regularly

Regardless of whether he has long or short hair, you should groom your dog every few days. Be sure to use dog brushes and combs, since they’re designed to remove tangles, mats, dead skin cells, and dander. You should use the tools that are best suited to your dog’s fur. Always brush with the lay of the fur to distribute the natural oils through the hair and use a comb to get rid of the tangles.

Bath Your Dog With Proper Shampoo

Shampoo your dog no more than once a month to avoid stripping the natural oils from your dog’s coat and leaving him prone to dryness. Choose a shampoo specifically made for dogs and look for one that matches your dog’s coat and skin sensitivity. For example, you can choose a mild shampoo like Epi-soothe shampoo or look for one made with oatmeal such as Aloveen oatmeal shampoo if your dog scratches a lot.

Check For Parasites

Thoroughly look through your dog’s coat for parasites, like fleas or ticks, which can affect your dog’s coat and overall health. Ticks can be found more easily than fleas as they are larger and slower. To check for fleas, run your fingers over several parts of your dog’s coat. Look for small pinpoint-sized black spots, known as flea dirt. These are flea droppings that are usually concentrated in one area.

Make sure you consult your veterinarian when it comes to food portion, as well as doses of vitamins and supplements. Look through your dog’s coat every few days and if you find any anomalies contact your veterinarian immediately. Following these tips will surely help you maintain a healthy and shiny coat of your dog.

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