These six reasons can cause dry and peeling skin in dogs
For humans and dogs, the skin is the largest and most exposed organ on the body. When your dog's skin becomes dry, not only does it look unsightly, but it can be a sign of an underlying disease in your dog.
It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of dry skin in dogs. The good news is that xeroderma is not a specific disease in itself, but rather a symptom. There can be many different causes of dry skin in dogs, and these are often treatable.
1. What causes dry skin in dogs?
Degeneration or aging: Dry skin can occur in any pet. This condition is more common in older dogs. Sick discipline increases as your dog ages.
Autoimmunity: Diseases such as lupus and pemphigus that are caused by an abnormal immune response may cause skin abnormalities.
Metabolic conditions (such as endocrine or hormonal imbalances): Hormone imbalances, such as low thyroid levels or Cushing's disease.
Nutrient deficiencies (less common): Most common diets are balanced and meet daily needs, but in some cases nutritional supplements such as fatty acids may be valuable. Make sure to use products recommended by your veterinarian. Unless your dog is proven to be deficient, vitamin supplements are not necessary.
Inflammatory (such as infection or allergy): Dogs, like people, can have allergies, skin infections, or seborrhea, which can cause too much or too little oil in the skin.
Traumatic or environmental (such as treatment for external parasites): Skin tends to be driest in the winter when temperatures and humidity plummet. Using central heating or a stove can reduce humidity and can also lead to dry skin. Excessive bathing can dry out the skin, as can regular swimming, especially in heavily chlorinated swimming pools. Residues such as chlorine and salt in the ocean can have severe drying effects.
Some flea baths, soaks and even cosmetic shampoos can strip moisture from the skin, causing it to dry out and flake. Some flea products can cause very significant irritation to your dog's skin if used incorrectly. So be sure not to replace pet shower gel with the shower gel we humans use.
2. How to determine the cause of dry skin in dogs?
Before doing this, you need to observe the dog and collect some preliminary information:
Is your dog itchy? (Simple dry skin is not very itchy)
Do you have spotty, localized hair loss on your skin?
Does your skin have any unusual odor? (Healthy skin without bad smell)
3. What should you do if your dog has dry, flaky or scaly skin?
When examining your dog, first seek the advice and advice of your veterinarian. The dog's coat is examined, and diagnostic methods such as skin sample collection and culture are performed. In some cases, blood testing of your dog's endocrine status is also recommended. If your dog appears to be itchy, your veterinarian may also recommend a diagnostic or food trial to help rule out allergies.
It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of dry skin in dogs. The good news is that xeroderma is not a specific disease in itself, but rather a symptom. There can be many different causes of dry skin in dogs, and these are often treatable.
1. What causes dry skin in dogs?
Degeneration or aging: Dry skin can occur in any pet. This condition is more common in older dogs. Sick discipline increases as your dog ages.
Autoimmunity: Diseases such as lupus and pemphigus that are caused by an abnormal immune response may cause skin abnormalities.
Metabolic conditions (such as endocrine or hormonal imbalances): Hormone imbalances, such as low thyroid levels or Cushing's disease.
Nutrient deficiencies (less common): Most common diets are balanced and meet daily needs, but in some cases nutritional supplements such as fatty acids may be valuable. Make sure to use products recommended by your veterinarian. Unless your dog is proven to be deficient, vitamin supplements are not necessary.
Inflammatory (such as infection or allergy): Dogs, like people, can have allergies, skin infections, or seborrhea, which can cause too much or too little oil in the skin.
Traumatic or environmental (such as treatment for external parasites): Skin tends to be driest in the winter when temperatures and humidity plummet. Using central heating or a stove can reduce humidity and can also lead to dry skin. Excessive bathing can dry out the skin, as can regular swimming, especially in heavily chlorinated swimming pools. Residues such as chlorine and salt in the ocean can have severe drying effects.
Some flea baths, soaks and even cosmetic shampoos can strip moisture from the skin, causing it to dry out and flake. Some flea products can cause very significant irritation to your dog's skin if used incorrectly. So be sure not to replace pet shower gel with the shower gel we humans use.
2. How to determine the cause of dry skin in dogs?
Before doing this, you need to observe the dog and collect some preliminary information:
Is your dog itchy? (Simple dry skin is not very itchy)
Do you have spotty, localized hair loss on your skin?
Does your skin have any unusual odor? (Healthy skin without bad smell)
3. What should you do if your dog has dry, flaky or scaly skin?
When examining your dog, first seek the advice and advice of your veterinarian. The dog's coat is examined, and diagnostic methods such as skin sample collection and culture are performed. In some cases, blood testing of your dog's endocrine status is also recommended. If your dog appears to be itchy, your veterinarian may also recommend a diagnostic or food trial to help rule out allergies.