Skin and Coat Care – Expert advice from our in- house vet Dr Barbara Fougere

The skin and coat really does reveal a lot about your pet’s health. Not surprising given it is the largest organ of the body. How do you keep your pet’s coat and skin healthy? Feed a well balanced and healthy diet, rich in fatty acids, protein and antioxidants. The skin is a large, metabolically active organ with a high requirement for protein and other nutrients. Therefore even subtle changes in its nutrientsupply, such as essential fatty acids can have a marked effect. Although many nutrient deficiencies may be associated with skin disorders, most produce similar symptoms. Skin and coat Photo by Fredrik Öhlander on Unsplash Symptoms associated with nutritional deficiencies excessive scale or dandruff redness in the skin hair loss poor hair growth greasy skin frequent infections itching colour changes to coat Usually a change in diet, by feeding a better quality diet, enriched with antioxidants and fatty acids makes a world of difference. EFA Oil front of bottle In order to support healthy skin consider the following steps: Add Omega EFA Advanced Oil. This is a specially formulated source of essential fatty acids EPA and DHA with phosphatidylcholine , biotin, Vitamin E and zinc. The fatty acids play a role in reducing inflammation in the skin. Zinc supports immune function and the barrier function in the skin, while biotin, vitamin E and phosphatidyl choline also support healthy skin function. Ensure sunshine, exercise and play. All these help promote healthy circulation which promotes healthy skin and coat. Regular grooming. Cats and dogs love to be brushed. It removes surface debris, keeps the coat clean and stimulates the skin. It gives you a chance to monitor for fleas and ticks too. Wash as needed. Shampooing can strip the skin of natural oils. If using a shampoo use one that is gentle on the skin and coat. BRN Itchy Skin Soothing Liquid Foam contains aloe vera to help relieve irritation and maintain healthy skin condition. Follow the directions on the product for best results. Other common skin problems include allergies. Allergic diseases can be distressing. Not just for you but your poor dog or cat . Allergic skin diseases include atopy, food allergy, fleabite allergy, insect allergy, contact allergy and drug reactions. These require veterinary attention and possibly a referral to a veterinary dermatologist. In the meantime, consider improving nutrition, supplementing and following the above steps to help relieve the problem until treatment is started.