Skin care for fur friends

Your pet’s skin is its largest organ, creating a protective barrier against allergens, infections, and potential toxins. When skin becomes unhealthy, this barrier weakens, affecting your pet’s comfort and overall quality of life. Here’s how you can help ensure your pet’s skin stays healthy.

Healthy Skin Starts with Nutrition

Healthy skin begins with a balanced diet rich in high-quality proteins and fats. Look for pet foods with real meat and oils listed as the first ingredients, as these provide essential nutrients. Cheaper diets often rely on cereals and bone meal, which are less beneficial for skin health.

During a veterinary consultation, we assess skin health by examining the coat’s shine, smell, presence of discharge, wounds, dandruff, itching, or signs like saliva-stained feet, broken hairs, and skin growths. We also check for ear and nail conditions that may indicate underlying skin issues.

Nutrients that Promote Healthy Skin:

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA & EPA): Help reduce inflammation and support the skin’s protective barrier.
• High-Quality Protein: Necessary for constant skin cell regeneration.
• Vitamins C & E: Aid in reducing inflammation and itching.

Parasite Prevention: A Must for Skin Health

Regular flea control is essential for both cats and dogs. Fleas can cause severe itching, and some pets may develop an allergy to flea saliva, leading to widespread irritation from just one bite. A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs daily, causing a significant infestation within weeks.

Most flea treatments also cover ticks and mites like demodex and sarcoptes. Ask a Petfirst team member for recommendations on the best treatment for your pet.

Shampooing and Grooming

Routine grooming helps prevent matting, faecal build-up, and discomfort. Some dogs need professional grooming every 6 weeks, while “hygiene grooms” may be necessary to keep areas like toes, ears, and under the tail clean. Regular brushing and shampooing allow you to monitor for any skin issues.

In warmer months, be cautious of grass seeds, which can embed in your pet’s skin, causing infections. Using pet-specific and appropriate shampoos can assist in managing odour and support skin health, especially for pets with allergies or infections. Avoid frequent shampooing, as it can dry out the skin. Dogs generally don’t need shampooing more than once every two weeks, and cats typically groom themselves and only need a regular brush, no bathing required!

Allergic Skin Disease

Itchy skin, marked by scratching, licking, rubbing, or bald patches, can indicate an allergy. The causes may include:

• Atopic Dermatitis: Triggered by environmental particles like pollen, dust mites, and mould.
• Contact Allergies: Common irritants include plants like Wandering Dew and certain grasses.
• Food Allergies: Less common, but often accompanied by digestive symptoms.

Diagnosing allergic skin disease may require multiple vet visits and trials to rule out possible causes. For food allergies, an 8-week elimination diet can provide clarity. Some cases may need referral to a dermatologist for more advanced testing and immunotherapy.

Allergic skin conditions will usually need lifelong care to manage flare-ups. Our vets can help tailor these plans to meet the individual needs of your pet.

Breed-Specific Skin Issues

Certain breeds are more prone to skin conditions due to genetics. Conditions such as scaling skin, immune-mediated diseases, deep follicular infections, and even sun damage (especially in white-furred pets) require veterinary care.

Summary

Skin issues can be persistent, but proper nutrition, grooming, and parasite control can greatly improve your pet’s skin health. If home treatments don’t seem to be working, seek veterinary advice to ensure your pet receives the care they need for long-term comfort and health.