Just like humans, dogs need to be provided with essential nutrients of vitamins and minerals too. However, with the availability of high quality pet foods, nutritional deficiency of any kind are often rare. Although they are still possible. Most commercial dog foods typically contain enough nutrients, including the essential fatty acids to maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin. However, dogs on low quality food, or improperly balanced homemade diets, for example, a dog that eats solely chicken, may not get enough nutrients to keep a healthy skin and coat. Dull coats are often from an omega-6 deficiency, most common if your dog is eating an extremely low fat diet.
On top of looks, every dog has to scratch sometimes, and that is completely okay. But when Fido is constantly licking, scratching, and or biting themself it must be a symptom of an underlying pathology. Diet isn’t the only culprit when it comes to irritation; some itching culprits could be caused through seasonal allergies, dry skin from environmental factors such as low humidity, or even dry pet foods. Dogs that may seem to be scratching too much, could also be being bathed too frequently. This may cause the loss of natural oils on their skin leading to dryness.
Flaxseed oil and fish oil are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids to replenish this issue and relieve itching or inflamed skin. Omega-3’s are anti-inflammatory and have other beneficial effects for skin problems. On top of your dog itching, they may not be sniffling away with a box of tissues next to them but dogs can come down with sickness too. These issues along with many others could find some help from the Pet Wellbeing and their products they have to keep a happy healthy family member for you. Don’t forget that it is always best to check with your veterinarian first too.