A dog’s skin is made up of the outer layer called the epidermis and the inner layer known as the dermis. Both the epidermis and dermis keep moisture in the dog’s skin and regulate water loss through sweat glands all over the body, including on their paws.
Sometimes, however, these glands may get clogged or damaged due to certain infections leading to dryness and scaling in your pet’s skin. In addition, it can also be caused by genetics or environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight or harsh conditions.
Dry skin on dogs can be unsightly and uncomfortable, but it’s nothing to panic about. Instead, this article will show you the possible causes of dry skin in your dog and how to treat them effectively.
Symptoms Of Dry Skin On Dogs
Dogs with dry skin often have itchy, flaky, or scaly patches of skin. They may also have thickened skin. The dryness can be all over their body or concentrated on the face, paws, and abdomen. In some cases, dogs can have a secondary infection because of the dry skin that results in redness, swelling, and crusting around the affected area.
The first step to managing a dog’s dry skin is determining whether it’s just an issue of water deprivation or if there is something wrong with their diet.
The most significant cause of dry skin in dogs is a lack of hydration, so ensure that your canine friend has fresh water. After that, you can focus on giving them supplements for dry skin or making dietary changes.
Some other symptoms of dry skin on dogs are:
- pimples
- excessive shedding
- bad smell
- oiliness
- inflammation
- dandruff
- intense itching
- missing fur
- dull coat
- flaking
- scaling
What Causes Dog’s Dry Skin?
Many things can cause a dog’s dry skin. Dry air and poor nutrition can cause dry skin. Yeast infections, bacterial and fungal infections, ear infections, and food allergies are some causes of dry skin in dogs. Essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 are also crucial for healthy skin in dogs. Treating dryness will help with itching, flaky skin, redness, or hair loss in your dog.
Infections
If your dog shows skin dryness, it may be due to an allergic or infectious cause. Although common symptoms are red patches and hair loss around the tail and hind legs, a dog’s diet can also contribute to skin conditions. A dog’s skin is like a human’s regarding diseases and disorders, so you should always have your dog checked out by a veterinarian if its skin shows signs of dryness.
Parasites
Dogs with dry skin can have a variety of causes, from parasites to skin infections. Parasites, in particular, can cause dry skin in dogs by attacking the dog’s coat and skin condition, which leads to a higher risk for skin infections. Therefore, dogs with dry skin need to be examined for parasites and treated for dryness if necessary.
Canine scabies, walking dandruff or canine cheyletiellosis, and the Demodex mite are instances of parasites that can induce mange. In addition, flaky skin can indicate that your dog has lice.
Skin Conditions
Atopic dermatitis is dogs’ most common skin condition and can cause dry skin. Dogs with atopic dermatitis may have dandruff or a rough texture to their fur. They also have itching and skin lesions that are itchy and raw. The condition starts when allergens, such as dust mites or pollen, get on the dog’s skin and triggers an allergic reaction causing redness and itchiness. Treatment for atopic dermatitis involves reducing your dog’s exposure to allergens by keeping it out of carpeted areas where there might be pet hair or dust mites lurking around.
In addition, some skin conditions appear only in specific breeds. For instance, breeds with no hair, such as the Chines Crested, could more easily be affected by skin conditions. The Alaskan Malamutes, the Siberian Huskies, and the Xoloitzcuintli are other breeds prone to skin conditions. These breeds can get zinc-responsive dermatosis.
Allergies
Dogs can develop dry skin for several reasons, including allergies. If you suspect that the dog has skin issues, it’s essential to consult a veterinarian. Your vet can diagnose the problem and recommend a treatment plan. Sometimes dry skin is caused by something as simple as an insect bite. In these cases, use hydrocortisone cream or ointment to treat the bites. However, if your dog’s rash persists after using hydrocortisone ointment or lotion, they may have an allergic reaction and need additional treatments.
Similar to humans, dogs can have allergies too. Dogs can have various symptoms, such as dry skin from environmental allergies, food allergies, or seasonal allergies to feathers, dust, grass, pollen, grain, flea saliva, or animal dander.
Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that induces itching, redness, inflammation, dry skin, and the potential for a secondary skin infection. It can happen due to these allergies if you decide to ignore them.
The most prevailing skin condition in US dogs is flea allergy dermatitis. This is an allergic reaction to flea drool. To control flea allergy dermatitis, ensure the dog at home is flea-free.
Less Common Causes Of Flaky Skin
Some less common causes of flaky skin in dogs are seborrhea, fungal infections, allergies, hypothyroidism, and nutritional deficiencies. Some other reasons would be excessive bathing, poor nutrition, or a bar of harsh soap.
The best way to treat dry skin is to talk with your vet about what the underlying cause may be and try to address it. You can also help by cleaning your dog’s ears, bathing them regularly, and brushing their hair twice a week. Keeping them in a relaxed environment will also help.
How Should You Treat Dry Skin On Dogs?
Of course, there is nothing better than the effective prescription medications you will get at your vet visit. You should take the dog to a vet immediately if your dog has dry skin. There are many different reasons why dogs develop dry skin. (*)
It could be because of some underlying medical condition or because the dog is shedding too much fur. Regardless of the reason for dry skin on dogs, it’s essential to find out the root cause before trying any treatments. Then, visit your vet, who will prescribe medication or treatment that best suits your dog’s needs.
Suitable Shampoo And Conditioner
At home, use a conditioner after checking that your dog’s shampoo is gentle and nourishing (human shampoo has an incorrect pH). Don’t blow dry your pet’s coat after shampooing. Cool blow dryers can also dry the coat. The pet will naturally take care of the remainder. Toweling down and blotting to absorb most moisture will be successful enough.
Nutritional Balance To Maintain Healthy Skin
Ensure that your dog eats only a balanced diet. Most packaged pet food sold in pet retailers is nutritionally balanced for dogs, but you should always check for the AAFCO emblem on the back of the food. According to the FDA, the feed may not provide the nutrients your pet needs to maintain healthy skin and a fur coat if this emblem is not on the container.
To help your pet’s hair and skin, consider adding supplements like probiotics and fish oil to their diet. In addition, your pet will drink more water and have softer skin if you give them some wet food and plenty of fresh water.
Use Dog Skin Moisturizer
To soothe the dry skin, as a pet owner, you could buy some dog skin moisturizer to treat the dogs’ dry skin.
How Can You Prevent The Dog’s Dry Skin?
Keeping your dog’s skin moisturized is essential for their skin and coat health. There are several ways to prevent dry dogs’ skin. For some dogs, it may be as simple as putting a coat or jacket on them during winter.
You can also bathe them with an oatmeal shampoo to help rehydrate their skin. You should also talk to your vet about any medications they might be able to prescribe for your dog that will help with dry skin issues.
Some tips to prevent dry skin on dogs:
- Regularly groom the dog to avoid the accumulation of debris and dirt;
- Give the dog vitamins if the vet suggests;
- Keep the skin on the face clean if your dog is a breed with creases;
- Ensure you know the disorders the dog is prone to and how you can prevent them;
- Ensure there are no parasites on the dog;
- Offer a balanced diet for the dog;
- Visit the vet regularly.
FAQs
Final Thoughts
Dry skin can occur on any part of the dog’s body, but it is most commonly seen on the paws. If you notice your dog scratching their paws frequently or licking at them excessively, it may have dry skin.
However, dry skin on dogs can also be a sign of another health issue, so it is essential to consult your vet and rule out other possibilities before assuming that dry skin is the culprit.
The best way to keep your pet healthy and prevent dry skin is by regularly grooming its coat and your dog’s fur weekly, removing dirt, hair, and dead skin cells.
In addition, be sure not to use any products that contain oils or alcohol, as they will irritate dry skin. Lastly, bathe your pup monthly with a shampoo specifically for pets with sensitive skin conditions.
Related topic: How to give a flea bath for dogs?
*photo by kues – depositphotos