Prevent skin disease

The causes of skin problems can be very diverse. Often there are allergies, but also internal diseases and infections can manifest themselves through skin and problems. Proper nutrition is the basis for heal thy skin and shiny fur in your dog.

Whether dull, shaggy fur, scaly skin or even itchy inflamed skin areas - skin problems in dogs can have many different reasons, Common causes include allergi infestation with parasites (e.g. fleas or mites ) and infections with fungi or bacteria. Metabolic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and thyroid dysfunction, can be manifested by disorders of the skin and fur, among other things. Last but not least, nutrition also has an impact on your dog's skin health, for example whe there is a lack of nutrients.

For example, your dog may be deficient in nutrients if

• his diet is not nutritious enough
• his organism cannot absorb them correctly or exits them prematurely (e.g. in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract)
• or certain components in the feed prevent the absorption of nutrients.

The following examples show you which nutrient deficiency can lead to skin problems in the dog:

• A lack of high-quality protein can result in a dull, brittle coat and a very horny, scaly skin. The pigmentation of the skin can also be disturbed.
• If unsaturated fatty acids (such as those found in vegetable oils) are missing, your dog's fur appears dull and his skin forms oily scales. This can result in increased susceptibility to inflammation of the external ear canal and infections.
• A zinc deficiency can manifest itself through hair loss, cornifcation disorders of the skin, lack of pigmentation and - if the deficiency is pronounced - also through ulcerative skin changes.

"A lot" does not always help a lot

Did you know that not only a deficiency, but also an excessive supply of certain nutrients can lead to skin problems in the dog? For example, if the feed contains too much hard-to-digest protein, intestinal bacteria convert it into harmful breakdown products that can have a negative effect on the skin. So what can you do if your dog has skin problems? In the case of lighter skin problems, a change of feed can have a positive effect. Researchers suspect that changing diets has a benefcial effect on intestinal residents. Another type of food may just better meet your dog's needs. You should always have stubborn skin changes examined by a veterinarian.