What Can I Feed My Dog for Healthy Skin and Glossy Coat?
A vibrant, glossy coat on your dog doesn’t only look appealing, it’s also a testament to your dog’s well-being.
Dogs experiencing a dry, flaky coat may be dealing with health conditions like thyroid disease, hyperadrenocorticism (also known as Cushing’s disease), kidney or liver disease, or nutritional imbalances.
The state of your dog’s coat and skin is a key indicator of their overall health and is often one of the initial things your veterinarian will examine.
Key facts about your dog’s skin and coat. The skin and coat make up the largest organ in dogs, accounting for approximately 10% to 15% of their total body mass.(1) The skin comprises the hypodermis (layer beneath the base layer of the ‘skin’) primarily filled with fat, the dermis, and the epidermis.
The dermis is the largest part of the skin, composed of collagen, and is also the most metabolically active. It includes the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Sebum, an oily secretion from these glands, moisturises the skin and hair and coats the hair to reduce friction during movement.
The epidermis consists of special skin cells known as keratinocytes, which produce keratin – a waxy substance that seals the epidermis to prevent dehydration.
Your pet’s fur consists of thousands of hairs that originate from hair follicles. These hairs are continuously replaced due to the ongoing environmental strain.
Seasonal shedding, which also takes place to rejuvenate the coat, is influenced by the daily outside temperature and light exposure (the photoperiod). However, indoor cats and dogs living in a constant artificial light and temperature-controlled environment may shed all year round.
The importance of skin and coat health in dogs.
Your dog’s skin and coat aren’t only aesthetically pleasing, but they also serve crucial roles in their health by playing a key part in the immune system and in maintaining adequate hydration. Some fundamental functions of their skin and coat include:
Protection. Your dog’s skin and coat form a protective barrier against foreign objects, chemicals, and environmental factors. Essentially, they shield the internal organs from external hazards. The skin is also furnished with nerves and nerve endings which enable your dog to perceive heat, cold, pressure, and pain. Additionally, their coat shields them from chemical damage, trauma, UV light, and contact with heated surfaces.
Immunity. Your dog’s skin is a significant part of the immune system. When skin immunity is compromised, it can lead to infections and potentially severe diseases triggered by harmful bacteria.
Thermoregulation. A well-maintained coat helps to regulate your dog’s body temperature by providing an insulating layer of fur. It can efficiently control their body temperature by adjusting hair follicles to bring hairs closer for insulation or allowing air to enter under more sparse hairs for cooling. Shivering also serves as a means of warming up for your dog.
Hydration. The skin plays an important role in maintaining the hydration level in your dog. Excessive water loss through the skin can severely impact their health as dogs do not have sweat glands. Therefore, excessive water loss through unhealthy skin, known as transepidermal water loss, can often lead to health complications.
Nutrient storage. Your dog’s skin also acts as a reservoir for various nutrients. These include protein, amino acids, collagen fibres, and enzymes.
Dog hair is mostly protein-based. About 35% of your dog’s daily protein intake is utilised to maintain their skin and coat. (2)
Essential fatty acids like linoleic acid are stored in the skin and are included in the phospholipid bilayer to provide the skin with flexibility and fluidity.
Fatty acids play a crucial role in shielding dogs from inflammation.
The precursors to vitamin D exist in our skin and are converted to vitamin D by exposure to UV rays. However, dogs do not have this ability and therefore must obtain Vitamin D from their food.
Minerals like zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese are found in relatively high concentrations in the skin due to their role in various biological reactions in your dog’s skin.
Fat-soluble vitamins A and E may also be stored in the skin. Vitamin A aids cell production and maintenance, while vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect the skin. B vitamins are present in the skin but are not stored there as they are water-soluble.
How to maintain the health of my dog’s skin and coat?
Your dog’s diet has the most significant influence on the condition of their coat. Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals are essential in maintaining your dog’s skin and coat health.
• Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) enhance your dog’s skin and coat and keep them shiny, with EPA helping to combat inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids can be sourced from fish and algal oils and extracts, and flaxseed.
• Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in sunflower, rapeseed, and flaxseed oils, as well as nuts, is a key nutrient in maintaining a healthy coat. Dry, flaky skin is often associated with a deficiency of linoleic acid in many dogs. Symptoms of low linoleic acid levels include dandruff, thin hair, discoloured hair, increased shedding, and poor healing.
• Zinc plays a key role in their skin due to the high cell turnover rate from constant shedding. It also aids in reducing water loss through the skin. Dogs fed a diet low in zinc can develop hair loss, skin infections, and a dull coat.
• Biotin and B vitamins act as cofactors in many of the body’s metabolic processes, including fat metabolism, which is vital in the skin. These vitamins aid linoleic acid function in the epidermis and dermis.
Studies have shown that adding omega-3 fatty acids, linoleic acid, and zinc in combination enhances coat shine and reduces dry, flaky skin. (3)
Proper grooming can also contribute to keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy.
As with many aspects of your dog’s health, the journey to a healthy coat begins with a well-balanced diet.
Vegan Foods That Are Best For Dog’s Skin and Coat
Chia
Chia seeds are a rich source of B vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, protein and zinc, and they’re packed with antioxidants too. They contain lots of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based form of Omega 3s. They are gluten free. Chia nourishes skin from the inside out, because its high levels of Omega 3 help combat chronic skin inflammation.
Almonds
These nuts contain the entire vitamin E family, tocopherols and tocotrienols — alpha-tocopherol is one of the keys to healthy skin and hair. Almonds are also an excellent source of B vitamins, copper, manganese, magnesium, zinc and bioflavonoids, and offer a trace amount of Omega 3 fatty acids. Since almonds have a high fat content, it is important to store them in a cool place, away from sunlight; better yet, you can store them in the refrigerator for several months, or in the freezer for up to a year.
Coconut
Coconut, organic and unsweetened, is the perfect sprinkle for your dog’s food and great for making treats. Give coconut chips a try too. Coconut contains medium-chain saturated fats, which are transformed into energy and contain special properties that act as anti-inflammatory agents to decrease bacterial growth, irritation and inflammation in the body. According to Washington State’s Bastyr University of Natural Sciences, eating raw coconut can reduce the severity of bacterial and inflammatory skin conditions. (4)
Carob
Carob is rich in natural sugars and contains all the principal vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, magnesium, silica, vitamins A, B1, B2, niacin, and protein. It is considered an ideal “survival food” because it requires no preparation, lasts a long time, and has no special storage requirements. It does not contain the caffeine and theobromine found in chocolate, so is perfectly safe for dogs. Its vitamin E supports skin health, and it has antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Oats
Oats are a strength-giving cereal. They are low in starch and high in mineral content, especially potassium and phosphorus. Oats also contain calcium, magnesium, the B vitamins and iron. They support healthy skin and hair; one of the key ways they do this is by supporting your dog’s gastrointestinal system and helping remove toxins from the body.
Seaweed
Seaweed is one of the very best sources of Omega-3. It provides selenium too. Studies that have focused on the protein and amino acid content of seaweed and algae revealed that small bioactive protein molecules called bioactive peptides, have significant potential health benefits.
Cranberries
Cranberries have been used historically to treat a variety of ailments, from rheumatoid disorders, scurvy and fever, to skin wounds and eczema. These healthy berries contain a variety of bioactive components, including antioxidant proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins and ellagic acid. Anthocyanins are the pigments that give cranberries their rich red colour and have been found to have the strongest antioxidant power of 150 flavonoids tested, even more so than vitamin E. Anthocyanins have an anti-inflammatory action, and can even help lessen allergic reactions in dogs.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are considered a super food for skin. They contain a high level of vitamin A and beta-carotene, and are a great source of vitamin E. Sweet potatoes also contain calcium, iron, folate, potassium, copper and thiamine. The vitamin C in sweet potatoes helps accelerate healing and support collagen production.
Bonza’s plant-based, vegan food for dogs is designed to give your dog the best support for optimal skin and coat health.
Bonza includes many of the plant-based foods considered best for dogs’ healthy skin and shiny coat including oats, sweet potato, cranberries, coconut and seaweed.
The balanced blend of healthy oils in Bonza, which includes sunflower, rapeseed, and coconut oil, as well as algal oil extract, provides the perfect balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids to form the foundation for your dog’s exceptional skin and coat health.
Bonza Superfoods and Ancient Grains formula includes DHAgold™, a premium Omega-3 with DHA, EPA and DPA
Bonza also integrates a mix of super herbs and botanicals known to enhance a dog’s skin and coat condition such as Ashwagandha, Ginseng, Reishi Mushroom, Turmeric, and Chamomile.
These powerful adaptogenic herbs work together to alleviate flaky skin, hotspots, and other skin irritations, and synergistically work with the other quality ingredients in our food to support your dog’s best skin condition promoting a shiny, glossy coat.
What is the best vegan dog food for healthy skin and shiny coat?
For all of the reasons outlined above we contend that Bonza is arguably not just the best vegan dog food for healthy skin and shiny coat, but the best dog food for healthy skin and shiny coats available for your dog.
