Best Dog Coat and Skin Supplements
Dog coat and skin supplements make sure your pet’s fur is shiny, soft and thick, and their skin moisturized and itch-free. Read on to learn more about how dog supplements work and which one will be the best choice for your pet’s needs.
Regardless of your pet’s hair length, his coat should be shiny and have the right texture, whether that’s wiry, smooth or fluffy. Dog coats with bald spots, thinning hair or dandruff are often a sign of an underlying health issue, or the result of an unhealthy lifestyle and inadequate grooming or hygiene. Depending on the cause of your pet’s skin and coat problems, he might also be experiencing discomfort, pain or itching that could make matters difficult for him, and these problems go far beyond the obvious factor of appearance. Needless to say, as soon as you spot something amiss with your dog’s coat and skin, whether it’s the way it feels to the touch or how it looks, you should react quickly. In addition to the treatment your vet may have determined for your pet (it will vary depending on the condition your dog has), you should make sure to boost his immune system and introduce the right kind of supplements. In addition to a healthy lifestyle that includes a quality diet and plenty of exercise, proper hygiene and dog coat and skin supplements are the best things you can do for your pet. If there’s any kind of issue with his skin or coat, these supplements will promote quicker recovery and restore thickness and shine to his fur, promoting optimal moisture levels for the skin.
Why do I need skin supplements for my dog?
A dog’s coat and skin can be affected by a range of issues. From parasitic problems such as mange or allergies, the reason for your dog’s balding, itching, dry skin or any other condition could be a number of things. That’s why it’s important to go to a vet to get a proper diagnosis. You need to eliminate potential health issues that could worsen over time without proper treatment. In most cases, dog coat and skin supplements can be a great idea to use (in addition to any medication or creams your vet gives you), as they’re designed to speed up the healing process and support your pet’s immune system. When chosen properly, dog supplements can provide relief from itchiness, restore the coat’s shine, and even make your pooch grow hair in spots where it thinned or was completely lost. Naturally, there are many different supplement formulas, so this means there are different effects, too. Dog coat and skin supplements can also support joint health or heart health, all depending on the list of ingredients.
To make sure your pooch will be getting the best type of supplement for his unique needs, we’ve put together this comprehensive buying guide. From the list of best dog coat and skin supplements to factors you need to consider before buying, you’ll find everything you need right here.
1. Editor’s Choice – Ultra Oil Skin and Coat Supplement for Dogs
Packed in a convenient pump bottle that makes dosing a breeze, this dog coat and skin supplement relies on healthy fats to keep your pet’s skin and fur in optimal condition. The formula uses organic, non-GMO, cold-pressed and human-grade grape seed oil, hemp seed oil, flaxseed and fish oils (anchovy and sardine) for a complete source of omega 3, 6 and 9. The perfect blend of nutritional and immune-boosting essential fatty acids will keep your pet’s digestion optimal, and their skin and coat shiny and soft. Made with high-quality ingredients, this supplement doesn’t have a fishy smell, either – a big bonus for some pet parents!
This product is available in various sizes (8, 16, 28 and 32 oz) and individual results may vary. Some pet owners have reported changes in as little as 48 hours, while others have waited well after 30 days.
2. Runner Up – Zesty Paws Omega Bites
Zesty Paws supplements are loved by many with good reason – and their skin and coat solution is no different as it’s one of the most popular products on the market. The reason behind this supplement’s success is both in the unique formula and method of delivery. The essential fatty acids and other important nutrients are packed in chicken-flavored chewable treats that pooches love, and they’re also available in bacon and hemp-chicken flavors. Making sure your pooch takes his supplement should be effortless when they’re in the form of a reward, after all. The combination of AlaskOmega derived from MSC-certified sustainable Wild Alaskan Pollock, Vitamin E and Biotin will ensure your dog’s coat and skin thrive.
3. Best with Superfoods – The Missing Link ORIGINAL Superfood Skin & Coat Supplement
This veterinarian-formulated superfood supplement has a unique blend of balanced Omegas (3 and 6) sourced from different ingredients, including those such as flaxseed, kelp, alfalfa, beef liver and many others. The variety of the ingredients rich in essential fatty acids ensures better absorption and makes this skin and coat supplement quite effective, especially for dogs that suffer from dry and itchy skin, or are recovering from mange. To boot, this supplement comes in powder form so it’s easy to mask with your pet’s food. Mix in a spoonful (or a few) in their meal and you’re good to go.
4. Customer’s Choice – Pet Parents Omega 3 Skin & Coat Dog Supplement
Made with powerful nutrients such as Omega 3 for dogs, fish oil and salmon oil for dogs, these high-quality chews will be a great coat and skin supplement for your pup. These dog treats are formulated to help relieve itching, dry skin, hot spots and skin allergies for dogs of all breeds and sizes. There are 90 soft chews which should last you a while, and you’ll be able to get back to snuggling your fur baby and their healthy coat in no time.
5. Best Flavor – BRUTUS & BARNABY Skin & Coat Hemp Soft Chews
Made in the USA from grain-free, natural ingredients, these tasty chewables will keep your pet’s skin healthy and their coat soft and shiny. The secret is in the formula that offers complete benefits of essential fatty acids by including omegas 3, 6 and 9, EPA, DHA as well as hemp seed oil. The potent blend that comes from both plant-based sources and animal-based ones (fish oil) ensures that the results are easily noticed in no time. And with its chicken liver flavor, these chewables will quickly become your dog’s favorite treat!
6. Best Natural – Natural Dog Company Skin & Coat Omega Supplement
With wild-caught Alaskan Salmon oil and organic hemp powder in its ingredient list, it’s no wonder that this vet formulated supplement is lauded as impressively effective. The combination of omega 3 (with high levels of DHA and EPA) and omega 6 relieves itchiness, helps dry and irritated skin heal and ensures your dog’s brittle, dull coat gets back its smoothness. Enriched with Biotin, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C, this formula will support your pet’s immune system and help improve his coat and skin starting from the inside out. The chewables taste like salmon and pea, which is important to keep in mind if your pooch isn’t a fan of fishy flavors. The serving size you give your pup will also be dependent on their weight, so keep this in mind to give them the correct portions.
7. Best for Allergies – BIXBI Skin + Coat Superfood
This superfood supplement is unique because it’s made from mushrooms! The proprietary formula contains various types of mushrooms known as superfoods and it’s been certified by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) and USDA organic. Mushrooms are linked to high levels of polysaccharides, which has a beneficial effect on your pet’s overall health. This dog and coat supplement is perfect for pets with allergies, itchy skin or those that shed excessively. It will nourish the skin and keep their coat in optimal condition without any grains or artificial ingredients in the formula!
8. Best for Irritated and Dry Skin – Well & Good Skin & Coat Omega-3 Dog Capsules
As a concentrated source of EPA and DHA, this dog supplement is an excellent solution for pets with lifeless hair or irritated and dry skin. The omegas from the fish oils in the ingredient lists, as well as Vitamin D3 and Vitamin E all work to better the condition of the coat and skin and make sure your pet’s immunity is in top shape. Keeping in mind the affordable price, this large pack of dog and coat skin supplements is more than cost-effective and a great solution for families with more than one pet. The only downside is that it’s in the form of capsules, so it may take some skill to give your pet his daily dose.
9. Best Powder Formula – K9 Power Show Stopper
With a wide array of natural ingredients with potent benefits for a dog’s immune system, K9 Power Show Stopper will make sure that dry, inflamed skin and itchy coats are a thing of the past. From sources of essential fatty acids such as cod liver oil to coconut oil, whole egg, vitamins E and C, this formula is packed with ingredients that are fantastic for your pet’s skin and coat. Since it comes in the form of a powder, it’s super easy to administer, and it’s also available in 4 pounds, 8 pounds and 1 pound sizes.
10. Best One-Ingredient Formula – LEGITPET Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for Dogs
Why change what works? Made from a single ingredient, this dog coat and skin supplement utilizes the benefits of essential fatty acids to support your pet’s overall health. This premium salmon oil is rich in omega 3 and 6 which improve your dog’s skin and hair, but also support cardiac health, hip and joint health and the overall immune system. This sustainably sourced, human-grade, wild-caught Alaskan salmon oil contains no mercury or toxins and is compatible with any meal.
Common skin and coat conditions in dogs
Considering that the skin is the largest organ of a dog’s body, it’s no surprise that there are many issues that can affect the skin. The skin and its external layer (AKA your dog’s coat) can also be an indicator of your pet’s overall health and immune system, as there are many conditions that affect the hair and skin in the process. Here are some of the most common skin and coat conditions in dogs you should know about:
Atopic dermatitis
This type of condition is related to dog allergies: it can be a reaction to pollen, insect bites, plants or food and medication and manifests as itching, inflamed skin or rashes. Unfortunately, dog allergies are becoming a more common problem for pets nowadays, and it’s not rare to hear about pooches developing allergies to kibble or having a reaction to a flea bite, for instance. If there’s no rash, it’s certain that your pet will be itchy, which can lead to incessant scratching, biting, inflamed skin, bald spots, hot spots, etc.
Hot spots
These painful, oozing lesions are also known as acute moist dermatitis and are caused by your pet licking, chewing or scratching a spot on his body. This means that hot spots can be a result of any type of irritation that prompts your pet to react in this manner. It’s important to react quickly to stop the hot spots from spreading. If your pet continues irritating the already inflamed area, it will inevitably worsen.
Seborrhea
Yes, dog dandruff is a real thing, and it can be caused by a number of conditions. Seborrhea is characterized by irritated flaky skin that can be either dry or oily. In some dog breeds, seborrhea is inherited. Cocker Spaniels, Bassets and Westies are breeds that often deal with dandruff due to their genetics. On the other hand, dogs can also have secondary seborrhea, which is a symptom of an underlying medical problem such as hormonal imbalance, allergies or parasites.
Ringworm
When hearing the name ringworm, people often think that this skin condition is caused by a parasite, but it’s actually a fungal infection. It’s characterized by the appearance of raised red rings on the skin caused by contact with an infected person, animal, or objects contaminated by the ringworm-causing fungi. Highly contagious, ringworm will make your pet’s skin scaly and inflamed and their coat brittle. It’s important to note that humans can contract this fungal infection from dogs (and vice versa) and it’s crucial to follow the right steps to avoid further contagion.
Alopecia
Otherwise known as hair loss, canine alopecia can be partial or complete, meaning that your pooch might lose all of his coat or have bald patches all over. It can be either gradual, with hair loss occurring little by little or acute, when your pet loses his hair (or parts of it) seemingly overnight. Alopecia is usually caused by hormonal imbalance, fungal, bacterial infections or parasites.
Mange
This skin disease can be caused by various types of mites and comes in two different forms, scabies (highly contagious among dogs) and demodex (caused by a compromised immune system). Mange presents as scaly and crusty skin that’s painful and extremely itchy, and partial or complete hair loss. This type of skin condition is usually seen in strays or neglected dogs.
Even though all of these skin and coat conditions are different both in their causes and symptoms – as well as treatment types – each could be helped with dog coat and skin supplements. The supplements might not cure your pet (that’s why it’s crucial to see a vet for the correct diagnosis and treatment), but they can help speed up the healing process by promoting hair growth and healthier skin.
What to look for in dog coat and skin supplements
Dog coat and skin supplements can really make a difference for your pet, but only if you know which one to choose. Not all supplements are equally effective and some are tailored for specific issues, so it’s important to pay attention to all the important details before choosing one for your pet. These are the most important factors to consider when buying dog coat and skin supplements:
Formula
There are so many different supplement formulas out there. Some use fish oil as an active ingredient, others hemp, colostrum or coconut oil, and some combine a few active ingredients together for increased potency. While many of these ingredients have a known beneficial effect on the skin, not all of them work the same, so it’s important to do some research before buying. The choice is yours, but be sure to have your pet’s potential food sensitivities in mind when making your selection.
Delivery method
It’s not always easy getting your pooch to take his meds, and supplements fall into the same category. If your dog is a picky eater or generally dislikes anything that reminds him of bitter or difficult-to-swallow medicine, you’ll have to get crafty to ensure they take their supplements. Luckily, they come in all kinds of forms, from liquids and powders that you can mix in your pet’s food, to flavored chewables that taste like a treat and everything in between. Of course you know your pooch the best, so choose according to his preferences.
Safety
Unfortunately, dog supplements aren’t as regulated as pet parents would want them to be, so it’s important to only buy those that have some form of safety reassurances. It could be FDA approval, the fact that they’re made from natural ingredients, or produced in the USA. Steer clear from cheap and dubious supplements that have no official confirmation that they’re safe for dog use. It’s worth spending a few bucks more if need be to make sure you’re not risking your pet’s health in any way.
How often should I give coat and skin supplements to my dog?
While this will vary depending on the kind of supplement you’re purchasing, how severe your dog’s symptoms are and whether it’s a chew, powder or oil, it’s always best to read the product’s label carefully to determine the frequency of consumption. Most supplements recommend daily doses for your pup to get the product’s full benefits.
Recent Updates
September 22, 2021: The Halo Dream Coat Supplement has been removed due to unavailability, replaced with the popular Pet Parents Omega 3 Skin & Coat Dog Supplement. Additional Resources have also been added to refer readers to related content.
Additional Resources
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A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.
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