Can You Scratch My Itch?
During this time of year, especially in the extreme cold states, it is very easy for pets to get dry and itchy skin. By now your pet should have its winter coat which keeps them nice and warm, but that doesn’t protect from the dry conditions caused by the cold.
Take a step back and watch your pets for a few minutes. Do they seem like they are scratching more today than they did, say, during the summer? Probably so. There are a few simple things that you can do to help your pets out this winter to make sure that your scratching is for feel good purposes only.
Rub-a-dub-dub:
Bathing your pet automatically causes the skin to dry out, especially when you use shampoo. Many shampoo’s boast about keeping the coat shiny with conditioners and such, but the coat isn’t what we are worried about here, it is the skin underneath. With each bath, the essential oils produced by the skin to keep it moist, are washed away leaving a dry, flaky sensation behind.
Here Fishy-Fishy:
Omega 3 fatty acids are found in a number of foods these days. The foods that are rich in Omega 3’s will aid in the skin’s production of oil as well as a host of other nifty functions, like nail growth, coat sheen and a healthy mind. Omega 3 supplements, like Welactin, can also be given to your pets. I used to buy the gel capsules, break two open and squeeze them into the food. It smelled horrible because it was the fish oil, but my Great Dane loved it!
Does this coat make me look fat?
Not all fats are bad. Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3’s) and Amino Acids, which are the building blocks of protein are great for skin and coat health. These supplements provide nutrients that the skin needs in order to keep itself moist and flexible.
Please be aware of the condition of your pet’s skin. How would you like to be dry and cracked? Pet’s don’t have lotion like we do, so they have to get their fix through their diet. Next time you look at your pet, just say, “If I scratch your back, will you scratch…something other than the furniture?” You might be surprised at the answer.
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