How Diet Affects a Dog's Coat and Skin

The condition of our dog's coat and skin depends to a large extent on the food we give them. The supply and the quality of protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals matter particularly.

A coat in poor condition, meanwhile, points to some health problem or nutritional shortfall that we need to put right. Let's look in detail at how to improve our dog's coat and skin through the right diet.

The Skin and Diet

Skin conditions related to diet may be down to an excess, a shortfall or an imbalance in the make-up of the diet. Shortfalls are more common, though as an example of problems caused by excess we can point to hypervitaminosis A.

It causes itching, making the dog scratch persistently. These conditions typically show up with a range of symptoms that should prompt us to consult the vet. The look of the coat and skin is not purely a cosmetic matter.

Both perform important functions for the wellbeing of the body. The skin is the first barrier against outside attack, it protects against solar radiation and it maintains body temperature.

Symptoms of Skin Problems

Telling whether our dog has a skin problem is very straightforward, since the symptoms can be seen at a glance. The main ones are:

• Flaking.
• Scabs.
• Hair loss.
• Greasy skin.
• Itching.
• A dull or coarse coat.

Protein Deficiency

Hair is made up above all of protein, hence how important it is to eat enough of it. Protein is also needed by the skin, since it plays a part in healing and regeneration when a wound occurs.

Certain amino acids are essential for hair growth, such as lysine, cysteine, methionine, arginine and phenylalanine. With the dog foods available today it is rare for this deficiency to arise. It could occur in dogs fed on plant-based protein.

Fatty Acid Deficiency

Fatty acids supply energy and take part in the absorption of certain vitamins. Linoleic and arachidonic acid stand out. The first forms part of the epidermis. Its absence is linked to water loss and environmental allergies. Arachidonic acid is responsible for the proliferation of epidermal cells.

Both linoleic acid and arachidonic acid are omega-6 fatty acids. In recent years both have been recommended as a supplement for healthy skin and coat. If we want to add them to our dog's diet, we first need to check with the vet.

An imbalance between the two fatty acids can result in inflammation and arteriosclerosis. Dogs fed on kibble may be short of fatty acids, since these break down during storage or with poor-quality preservatives. It takes months of eating this way for a dog to show symptoms of the shortfall.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency

Here vitamin A stands out, with an important role in the maturation and normal cell turnover of the skin. Other key vitamins are E, B8 or biotin, B2 or riboflavin, B3 or niacin, B6 or pyridoxine, B5 or pantothenic acid, and vitamin C.

As for minerals, zinc stands out; a shortfall triggers serious symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, difficulty healing wounds, conjunctivitis, skin inflammation and hair loss. It is responsible for keeping the skin and mucous membranes in good condition.

Selenium, which preserves the skin's elasticity, and copper are also important. By way of example, a riboflavin deficiency causes dry, reddened skin, a niacin deficiency triggers itching, a biotin deficiency causes hair loss and seborrhoea, a phosphorus deficiency leaves the coat hard and dull, and a copper deficiency strips its pigment.

How to Prevent Coat and Skin Problems

Beyond grooming and hygiene tailored to each dog's characteristics, it is essential to follow a balanced, good-quality diet. First of all, it has to cover all the dog's nutritional requirements, matched to their stage of life.

It also has to be palatable, that is, tasty, and digestible so that every nutrient it contains can be put to use. In short, the well-fed dog is at the right weight, neither fat nor thin, passes firm stools and has a glossy coat and healthy skin.

Nutritional Supplements

If we give our dog a good-quality diet, it will already contain every nutrient that is essential to their health. We therefore have no need to add any dietary supplement.

In fact, doing so could even be counterproductive. What is more, only the vet can prescribe products of this kind. As a general rule, supplementation is only indicated in dogs with a poor appetite, dogs who are weakened, recently operated on or under stress.

Bibliography Dlujnewsky, Javier. 2018. El alimento de la piel. Taken from Los nutrientes que la piel necesita. Revista Ateuves no. 57. pp. 14-16. Villagrasa, María. 2016. Nutrientes para que la mascota tenga un pelaje perfecto. Taken from Nutrientes para un pelaje perfecto. Revista Ateuves no. 36. pp. 10-15. Villagrasa, María. 2016. Complementos nutricionales para mascotas. Original article: Los complementos nutricionales. Revista Ateuves no. 13. pp. 24-28.