A dog’s coat can be long or short, straight or curly, silky or wiry. But no matter the fur type, there are a few things you can do to maintain your dog's coat health. Here are three ways to keep your dog's coat healthy.
1. Diet
One of the main causes of lackluster or unhealthy coats is diet. If your dog is getting the right nutrients, as well as the proper amount of those nutrients, their fur will look great. But if they aren’t, their coat will reflect that and may look dull or unhealthy.
If your dog’s coat isn’t looking as nice as you’d like, you may want to reexamine their diet. A good place to start is talking to your vet to discuss your pup’s food and ensure they’re getting the right nutrients and the right number of nutrients.
2. Supplements
Along the same lines, you can supplement your dog’s diet with nutrients for a healthy coat (and other health benefits). This is an especially good solution if your dog is already getting the proper nutrients in his or her diet. Sometimes a dog’s body fails to produce certain vitamins or components for a healthy coat.
Two popular supplements to improve your dog’s fur are coconut oil and salmon oil. Coconut oil has what’s called “medium chain triglycerides” or MCTs and salmon oil is full of Omega-3 fatty acids, both of which can help your dog’s skin and coat.
Make sure to consult with your vet before starting your dog on any supplements.
3. Grooming
The most obvious thing you can do to improve your dog’s coat is grooming. This is a simple solution but takes some effort. Bathing your dog regularly is a good way to ensure your dog’s fur is soft and smells good. Some dogs, especially those with longer hair, will need washing as well as haircuts. And finally, it’s important to regularly brush your dog, which removes old fur and gives new fur room to grow.