Did you know your dog's appearance can be affected by the foods you choose to feed them? In this post, our Vancouver vets explain the effects of poor diet and nutrition on your dog's skin and fur health, and what you can do if you see these signs.
The Effects of Diet & Nutrition on Your Dog's Skin
A dog's skin and coat make up about 12% of its body weight. For this reason, they need a lot of nutrients to keep their skin and coat healthy. If a dog isn't receiving enough nutrients, their skin and coat won't be healthy, look shiny, or feel soft.
Specifically, you may notice your dog's coat looks dry or that their skin is irritated. They may have dull, patchy fur. So, it's important to give your dog a high-quality, nutritious diet to keep their skin and coat healthy.
How can poor diet and food intake affect my dog's skin?
If your dog is suffering from a condition that affects their health, there is a risk that you'll be able to notice this in the appearance of their skin and fur.
The most common skin problems in dogs include:
- Allergies (like flea bites and atopic dermatitis)
- Food sensitivities or intolerances
- Bacterial skin infections
- Skin cancers
- Immune-mediated skin disease
- Seborrhea (greasy skin or dry, flaky skin)
- Parasites (like demodectic mange)
- Hormone-related skin disease
If a food allergy is not present, your dog may still experience diet-related skin issues. While people can often understand the connection between the food they eat and their general health and appearance, the same goes for dogs and other animals.
A nutritional deficiency can greatly impact both your dog's skin and coat. This can occur both will homemade dog foods that aren't professionally formulated and with low-quality commercial dog foods.
What symptoms can a dog with poor diet experience?
Skin conditions can manifest in various ways. Here are some of the most common symptoms you may notice in your dog:
- Accumulation of dry skin scales
- Dry, dull hair with split ends
- Scratching at itchy areas of the skin
- Slow growth or no growth of hair from spots that have been clipped or shaved
- Changes in or loss of hair color
- Pressure sores
What other dog skin problems occur with poor nutrition?
A dog's skin and coat may suffer if they lack essential nutrients in their diet or if they have a dermatological allergy caused by certain ingredients in their food. If your dog shows symptoms of skin issues, it could be due to an allergic reaction to something in their diet rather than a lack of nutrition.
Some dogs are allergic to specific food ingredients and may have similar symptoms. If you think your dog is getting enough nutrition, but still has skin problems, talk to your vet. They can test for allergies and help you find the best food for your dog's health.
Treating Dog Skin Conditions
Columbia River Veterinary Specialists works with a board-certified veterinary dermatologist who diagnoses and treats skin conditions affecting dogs and cats.
There are a variety of skin conditions that can affect dogs and cats, but some are more common than others. These include allergies, bacterial or fungal infections, chronic scratching, skin parasites and hair loss.
With years of training and experience in veterinary dermatology, our Vancouver specialist can differentiate between the various conditions associated with pet skin conditions. This allows for a more accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet for an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition.