Dry Skin on Dogs: How to Treat and Prevent Dry Skin on Dogs

With the many variables causing dry skin on dogs, pinpointing the underlying cause is not always easy. The best way to determine the cause is to visit your veterinarian so they can accurately diagnose the specific issue. However, it’s also helpful to know the common culprits, such as:

1. 1. Allergies: Flea allergy dermatitis—an allergic reaction to flea saliva—is the most common skin allergy for dogs; it can cause rashes, itchiness, and inflammation. However, your dog may also be allergic to certain environmental elements like dust, pollen, cold weather, dry air, or animal dander.
2. 2. Bacterial and fungal infections: Dry skin can be symptomatic of a bacterial or fungal skin infection, such as ringworm or a yeast infection.
3. 3. Diseases and disorders: Dry skin may seem like a relatively minor problem, but it can indicate many serious diseases (like cancer, hypothyroidism, or Cushing’s disease), which may pose serious risks to your dog’s health. If your dog has chronically dry skin, it’s imperative to get a veterinarian’s expert opinion to rule out these conditions.
4. 4. Excessive bathing: Bathing your dog more than twice a month prevents their skin from fixing its moisture levels, leading it to become itchy and dry. Additionally, using a non-dog shampoo can harm your dog’s skin health. Learn how to give a dog a bath.
5. 5. Parasitic infestations: Some common canine parasites such as lice, Sarcoptes scabiei mites (the mite responsible for mange), or Cheyletiella mites (the mite responsible for Cheyletiellosis) can lead to dry, itchy, and flaky skin.
6. 6. Poor nutrition: Your dog’s diet plays a vital role in their skin health, so it’s imperative to feed them good-quality food with fatty acids and sufficient amounts of protein and vitamins essential for their nutrition. Your vet can tell you if your current pet food brand has the proper nutritional value for your specific dog breed.

These are the most common symptoms of dry skin on dogs. Note that your dog can still have dry skin, even if they only exhibit one of these symptoms.

1. 1. Crusting: Dried skin that crusts on the surface may indicate a skin infection or parasitic infestation.
2. 2. Dandruff: Similar to humans, dandruff and flaky skin occurs when your dog’s skin cells lose moisture from shedding at an exceptionally fast rate.
3. 3. Hair loss: Hair loss can occur if your dog scratches or licks their dry skin so much that it damages their hair follicles.
4. 4. Itchiness: Signs of itchy skin include frequent scratching, licking, rubbing, or biting.
5. 5. Odor: Skin with an abnormal smell may indicate a yeast infection.
6. 6. Redness: Red patches of skin indicate inflammation underneath.
7. 7. Scabs: Scabs may appear due to skin infections or excessive scratching.

For proper treatment, your vet must first determine the underlying cause of your dog’s skin condition. Once your vet diagnoses the condition, they may prescribe a few potential remedies. Treatment options include prescription medication, medicated shampoos, avoiding a specific allergen, or using a humidifier in dry weather.

Even if you already know the cause of your dog’s itchy skin, always consult your vet before experimenting with a home remedy or using an over-the-counter treatment for dry skin.

There are many precautionary measures you can take to prevent your dog from developing dry skin, including:

1. 1. Buy a humidifier. If you live in a place with cold weather and/or low humidity, using a humidifier will help prevent environment-related dry skin issues.
2. 2. Follow a skin-friendly bathing routine. Try not to bathe your canine more than once or twice a month so that their skin can retain its natural moisture. When bathing your dog, avoid using warm water, and use a moisturizing dog shampoo that’s gentle on the skin. After washing, opt for towel-drying your dog’s coat to avoid sapping moisture with a blow dryer.
3. 3. Moisturize your dog’s coat and skin. Find an over-the-counter moisturizing spray designed to help your dog’s skin retain moisture. Coconut oil and vitamin E oil are great moisturizers that you can massage into your dog’s coat.
4. 4. Serve your dog a nutritious diet. Consult your vet to find a nutritious dog food type with enough protein, vitamins, and minerals to meet your pooch’s needs. Your vet can tell you the ideal food mix based on their breed, age, and size. Giving your dog the nutrition they need can curb health problems that cause dry skin.
5. 5. Schedule regular checkups. The best way to prevent dry skin is to take your pooch to the vet regularly. They can identify any health problems causing dry skin before your dog begins to exhibit symptoms.
6. 6. Try dog fish oil supplements. The healthy omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can improve your dog’s coat and skin. Some dog stomachs may be sensitive to fish oil supplements, so discuss the proper dosage with your vet.
7. 7. Use a flea treatment. These monthly pills prevent fleas and other parasites that cause dry skin and other negative health conditions.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.