Your dog’s skin and coat isn’t just about looks. It’s a reflection of their overall health. As the largest organ of your dog’s body, the skin provides a protective barrier against the environment and regulates temperature. A shiny coat and healthy skin mean your pup is thriving, while issues like dryness, hair loss, or constant scratching can be signs that something’s off.
If you’ve noticed changes in your dog’s skin or coat, you are not alone. Many pups experience skin and fur issues at some point in their lives. In this guide, we’ll cover five of the most common problems, how to treat them, and simple steps to help prevent them.
1. Dry Skin
The issue: One of the most common skin issues in dogs is dryness. Dogs with dry skin may itch, scratch, or develop flaky or cracked skin. There are many causes for dry skin including diet, low humidity, and allergies.
What to do: While it’s always best to consult your veterinarian first, there are a few changes you can do at home such as adding omega-3 fatty acids to your dog’s diet, trying a dog supplement that supports skin health, and using an oatmeal shampoo to ease itchiness.
Prevention: While dry skin is a common issue is dogs, regular grooming, balanced diet, and avoiding overly frequent baths can keep skin naturally moisturised.
2. Shedding
The issue: While some shedding in dogs is normal, excessive shedding might point to stress, poor nutrition, or other underlying health issues. It can also be a sign of seasonal changes, food interlorences or using the wrong shampoo.
What to do: Daily brushing reduces loose hair and keeps coats shiny. Choose a brush, comb and de-shedding rake that’s suited to your dog’s coat (long or short). If shedding seems unusual, a vet check is wise.
Prevention: To prevent excessive dog shedding, maintain a grooming routine and feed a diet rich in protein and healthy fats to support coat health. Regular brushing, bathing, and keeping your dog hydrated are all effective ways to look after your dog’s coat.
3. Hair Loss
The issue: Hair loss in dogs, also called alopecia, can affect any breed and appear anywhere on the body. It often shows up as bald patches or areas of thinning fur. Common causes include parasites like fleas and mites, allergies, bacterial or fungal infections, stress, and even hormonal imbalances can all play a role.
What to do: Start by ruling out the obvious culprits, such as fleas or mites. If the problem continues, it’s best to consult your vet, who can run tests to pinpoint the cause and recommend treatment. Depending on the diagnosis, this might include supplements to support skin and coat health, medicated shampoos, or prescription medication.
Prevention: Keeping up with regular flea and tick treatments is key, along with feeding a balanced diet and managing stress in your dog’s routine. Together, these steps help maintain a healthy coat and reduce the risk of hair loss recurring.
4. Ringworm
The issue: Ringworm in dogs can cause itchy sores, hair loss, and scaly skin. Left untreated, they can also spread disease.
What to do: If your dog shows signs of ringworm, your vet may prescribe an antifungal shampoo, cream, or oral medication. Because ringworm is contagious, both to other pets and humans, it’s important to follow your vet’s treatment plan carefully and maintain good hygiene at home.
Prevention: While ringworm can’t always be avoided, you can lower the risk by keeping your dog’s bedding and grooming tools clean, reducing contact with infected animals, and maintaining your dog’s overall health and immunity.
5. Allergies
The issue: Dogs can develop allergies to many things, such as food ingredients, environmental triggers such as pollen, dust mites, or mould, and even household products like detergents or cleaning sprays. Allergies often show up as constant licking or chewing of the paws, itchy or inflamed skin, recurrent ear infections, or red, irritated patches.
What to do: Left untreated, these symptoms can lead to secondary skin infections and ongoing discomfort. Work with your vet to identify triggers, often through elimination diets or allergy testing. Medications or special diets may also help manage flare-ups. Consistency and patience are key, as finding the root cause can take time.
Prevention: While not all allergies can be avoided, you can reduce flare-ups by keeping your dog’s environment as clean as possible. This includes washing bedding regularly, vacuuming, and using air purifiers if needed. Choose hypoallergenic grooming and cleaning products when possible, and feed a balanced, high-quality diet to support a healthy immune system and skin barrier.
Keeping Skin & Fur Healthy
Most skin and coat issues can be managed or avoided through good nutrition, regular grooming, and preventive care. Just like humans, dogs thrive when they’re cared for inside and out.
At K9 Heaven, our team keeps a close eye on your pup’s wellbeing with daily check-ups after every farm adventure. If we notice a dog scratching or shedding more than usual, we’ll let you know.
To find out more about our Auckland doggy daycare, click here.