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Pet Article
DOGS, CATS AND DRY SKIN
During the Winter time it is commong for our cats and dogs to have dry skin. Pet owners should
remember that healthy hair and fur on their dogs and cats comes from within and therefore good
quality feeding and some fatty acid supplements, available from your veterinarian, can make for
healthier, glossier hair as well as preventing dry skin.
To help take care of your dogs hair and skin, only bathe your dog as little as needed to keep
their coat clean. If bathing is necessary, use a moisturizing shampoo made especially for dogs,
remember their ph balance is different from us humans, so don't use your shampoo, this will be
too harsh for your dog. Brushing your dog often can remove any dead hair an dander.
If you are the owner of a cat, comb their fur often to remove any loose hair and dander. Do not
bathe your cat unless you need to clean the hair coat of grease, oil or dirt. Remember your cat
bathes itself everyday. If you do bathe your cat always use a conditioning rinse after the bath.
Do not use oils and lotions that are designed for humans, these will just gum up the cats fur and
attract a lot of dirt.
Remember that our cats and dogs scratch for many reasons, allergies, parasites or other infections
can cause our cats and dogs to scratch. All of these conditions may appear as dry skin, but they
actually require treatment by your veterinarian. Should pet owners attempt to try home remedies,
this could complicate the problem and delay treatment. Skin problems and poor hair quality in
cats and dogs are usually symptoms of other things such as, liver, kidney, adrenal or thyroid
gland problems. If you notice any of the following conditions in your cat or dog, or if the
initial skin problem persists for more than a week, you should consult with your veterinarian.
- Skin irritation, including redness, bumps, and rashes.
- Open sores of any kind.
- Excessive hair loss, either in concentrated patches or all over.
- Dull, dry hair that pulls out easily.
- Constant foot licking or face rubbing (with or without runny eyes or itchy ears).
Mark Woodcock
1 Flea Control
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