Skin and coat care for dogs and cats
Everything about healthy skin and a shiny coat: nutrition, brushing, bathing and what to do about dry skin or dandruff.
A shiny coat starts from within. Good nutrition, regular brushing and not bathing too often keep skin and coat healthy. Here are practical tips.
🥗 Nutrition
The foundation for healthy skin and coat:
- • Quality food with sufficient protein and fats
- • Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids—support the skin barrier
- • Some vets recommend food specially formulated for skin and coat
Omega supplements
Fish oil or salmon oil (omega-3) can help with a dull coat, dry skin or dandruff. Has anti-inflammatory properties. Ask your vet for the right dosage—too much can cause problems.
🪮 Brushing
Regular brushing stimulates blood flow, distributes natural skin oils and removes loose hair and dirt.
- • Short coat: at least 1× per week
- • Long or double coat: 2–4× per week to prevent matting
- • During shedding (spring, autumn): brush more often
Frequency by coat type
Short-haired: weekly. Long-haired or curly: 2–4× per week. Even short-haired dogs benefit from weekly brushing. Long-haired cats: daily to prevent mats.
🛁 Bathing
Bathing is fine, but not too often—otherwise the skin dries out and pH changes. Guideline for dogs: every 4–12 weeks depending on coat type and lifestyle. Long-haired or oily dogs: more often (4–6 weeks). Use lukewarm water and pet-safe shampoo.
Healthy cats who groom themselves often don't need baths. When necessary (e.g. coat full of dirt): use cat shampoo carefully. Cats can get stressed by bathing.
Products
Use only shampoo and conditioner for pets. Human shampoo is too harsh for the skin pH of dogs and cats. For dandruff or dry skin: moisturizing or medicated shampoo—ask your vet for advice.
⚠️ Dry skin and dandruff
Causes of dry skin and dandruff:
- • Allergies (pollen, food, environment), low humidity
- • Parasites (fleas, mites, ringworm), yeast or bacterial infections
- • Bathing too often, nutritional deficiencies. In cats: obesity or arthritis (less self-grooming)
When to see the vet?
With hair loss, excessive itching, red spots, scabs, odour or signs of infection: have your vet take a look. Food allergies are common—an elimination diet can provide clarity.
🩺 This information is general. Contact your veterinarian for a consultation and tailored advice.
More about health
View our health guide for skin problems and more.
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