How to Prevent Skin Problems

There are a variety of skin conditions that can affect your pet’s skin and coat health. While a healthy coat is generally free of tangles, mats, dandruff, clumps and grease, skin problems can cause a variety of problems: dryness, itching, hair loss, infection or open lesions from scratching. If you notice any of these in your pet, it’s important to find the underlying cause and treat the condition – skin problems are often indicators of other diseases, and they may lead to more serious problems themselves.

A healthy coat starts with a regular grooming routine, which promotes the vitality of their skin and coat. Regular brushing helps distribute their natural oils throughout the coat. As you brush, you can also check for problems such as mats, lumps, bumps or hair loss. Finding these problems right away is important for your pet’s health, because it allows you to treat them before they become too serious.

Skin problems such as mange, hot spots, ringworm and other topical conditions will need medicated treatment to kill the mites and infection. There are a variety of options, including shampoos, dips or ointments, which are helpful for mild to severe infections. Talk to your veterinarian to find out what treatment option is best for your pet.

Parasites such as fleas, ticks and intestinal worms can also wreak havoc on your dog’s skin and coat. The allergies and itching from fleas can cause uncontrollable scratching, and worms can suck the needed nutrients out of their body and leave the coat dry and dull. A regular worming schedule and flea and tick treatment is important to keep your pet free of pests and maintain their skin and coat health.

Overall, a balanced diet is very important for maintaining your pet’s general skin and coat health. However, supplements with fatty acids and essential vitamins can also give them an extra boost for skin health, providing the nutrients they may be missing in their regular food. Whether your pet has serious skin problems or just general deficiencies, there are easy ways to ensure they receive the proper nutrients and treatment for a healthy skin and coat.

The materials, information and answers provided through this website are not intended to replace the medical advice or services of a qualified veterinarian or other pet health care professional. Consult your own veterinarian for answers to specific medical questions, including diagnosis, treatment, therapy or medical attention.

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