Tips to Keep Your Dog’s Coat Looking Clean & Shiny

By Anoop Nain

One of the responsibilities of a pet owner is to keep their dog looking his best. Your dog should have a shiny, clean coat, as that is a sign of how healthy your dog is. With that in mind, we want to share with you a few things you can do to keep it that way.

Image Source: Pexels

Feed your dog a healthy diet

Did you know that what your dog eats contributes to how healthy his coat looks? Pet WebMD lists some food you can give your dog that contribute to a nice, shiny coat, and you’ll want to pay close attention to his diet if you are going to keep his coat looking amazing. Foods with healthy oils, lots of protein and beneficial fats are what will give your dog a great-looking coat. The oil in some of the foods your dog eats are what makes the coat look shiny. If your dog isn’t getting a proper diet, then his coat can appear haggard, patchy and dull.

Give your dog a bath

Regular baths contribute to a healthy coat for your dog as well. You don’t have to bathe your dog every single day. That’s simply unnecessary, and you might be washing away the oils in your dog’s coat and actually dulling the shine with too much bathing, but regular baths will help to remove debris and give your dog’s hair a soft, luxurious texture. That’s especially true if you are using a high quality shampoo when you bathe your dog. If you have a pooch with white fur, there are also dog whitening shampoos available which will keep the coat bright and white.

Image Source: Pexels

Keep the coat clean with brushing

Now, you can brush your dog’s coat every day if you like. This is particularly beneficial for long-haired dogs, as they tend to have more debris in their coats and are less likely to keep their coats clean for themselves. For dogs that shed often, you can use a deseeding brush to get rid of those dead hairs quickly and effectively. By brushing out your dog’s fur, you will remove debris that can block pores and prevent the proper distribution of oils throughout the coat.

Prevent fleas and ticks

You’ll want to do what you can to keep fleas and ticks at bay, since they can cause all sorts of skin and hair problems for your dog. Of course, they cause your dog to itch incessantly, and that can leave bare patches where the dog scratches away fur. It can also cause irritation and hair loss. You can use a preventative treatment even if you don’t see these pests in your dog’s fur, and if you notice any signs of scratching, be sure to check for fleas and ticks right away. The sooner you deal with this problem, the healthier your dog’s coat will look. You can use shampoos, special collars, sprays and medications to effectively fight ticks and fleas and keep them far away from your dog, preserving his coat of fur.

Add some coconut oil

We talked before about how the right kind of oils in your dog’s food can give him a healthy looking coat with a pleasant shine. You can also add the oil yourself. The best oil for your dog’s health and for his fur and skin is coconut oil. You can massage it in, using just a small amount and let it rest on his skin for a few minutes. You can also add the oil to his food- about a teaspoon per meal. This will help to make your dog’s oil glands work better and will produce a coat with a healthy shine to it.

Use herbal supplements

Sometimes, healthy food simply isn’t enough. You may want to give your dog some supplements to encourage a healthy coat and a lovely shine. You can use dog-friendly herbal supplements like spirulina and horsetail. Just be sure you use the right dosage for your dog’s size, and if you are not sure what that is, then consult your vet before giving the supplements to the dog.

Conclusion

These are a few of the best ways to keep your dog’s coat looking its best. Try some of them and see how quickly you notice a difference.

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