Looking After Your Dog's Coat and Skin

Nutrition

Healthy skin and hair depend on adequate energy, protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. A complete and balanced diet appropriate for the dog's age, size and lifestyle should normally provide these nutrients in the correct proportions.

A poor or unbalanced diet can contribute to a dry, dull or brittle coat, excessive scaling, slow hair growth or hair loss. However, these signs can also be caused by parasites, allergies, infections, hormonal disease and other health problems.

If you feed a homemade diet, ask a veterinary nutritionist to formulate it properly. Meat, vegetables and supplements combined without a balanced recipe may not supply everything a dog needs.

Oils and Supplements

Omega-3 fatty acids may help some dogs with inflammatory skin conditions, but the appropriate product and amount depend on the dog's diet, weight and health.

Do not routinely add salmon oil, cod-liver oil, flaxseed oil, vitamins or several coat supplements without advice. Oils add calories, and some products can provide excessive amounts of vitamins or upset the balance of an otherwise complete diet.

Ask your vet before starting a supplement, particularly if your dog has a medical condition, takes medication or already eats a therapeutic diet.

Regular Grooming

Regular brushing removes loose hair, surface dirt and dead skin while helping to identify knots, parasites, sore areas and new lumps. The frequency required depends on the dog's coat, lifestyle and whether the dog is moulting.

Rough Collies have a dense double coat and need thorough brushing down to the undercoat. Pay particular attention behind the ears, around the elbows, beneath the chest, between the hind legs and around the trousers and tail, where knots commonly form.

A long pin brush and a suitable comb can be useful, but work gently and in sections. Pulling through mats can be painful and may damage the skin.

Bathing

Collies do not usually need frequent bathing unless they are dirty, have rolled in something unpleasant or are being treated with a medicated product prescribed by a vet.

Use a shampoo intended for dogs, rinse the coat thoroughly and make sure the dense undercoat dries properly. Human shampoos and strongly perfumed products may irritate canine skin.

Avoid bathing a badly matted coat before removing the mats, as water can tighten them and make them more difficult to deal with.

When to See Your Vet

Arrange a veterinary examination if your dog has persistent itching, hair loss, redness, broken skin, scabs, discharge, an unpleasant smell, excessive dandruff or a sudden change in coat quality.

Repeated skin or coat problems should not simply be treated with more shampoo or supplements. Identifying and treating the underlying cause is important.