‘How to make dog fur soft?’
‘Why is my dog’s coat so rough, dry and dull?’
Many pet parents have these questions for their vet. If your dog’s coat is dry and brittle, try these home remedies for shiny dog coat.
Bathing
Unless your dog romps about in the mud, s/he does not need frequent bathing. In fact; over bathing is harmful for your pet as it strips off their skin’s natural oils and renders the coat dull, dry and brittle. So do not bathe more that once or twice a month.
Brush regularly
Long haired dogs need daily brushing while short haired breeds need to be brushed once every 2-3 days. Brushing removes dandruff, dirt, parasites and loose hairs and also prevents excess shedding. Use an appropriate brush made with soft bristles. Boar bristle brushes are especially beneficial as they impart a healthy shine and luster to the coat.
Baking soda
Sprinkle some baking soda onto the pet’s fur from time to time and spread it all over the fur. This will relieve itching as well as sunburn and also keep parasites away. You can also mix some baking soda in pet shampoo and use the mixture for bathing your pet. Likewise, a mixture of vinegar and baking soda rubbed into the coat will keep your pet’s coat clean, shiny, as well as devoid of parasites.
Epsom salts
Sprinkle Epsom salts on hot spots as the magnesium in them helps soothe itching, inflammation and redness. Also let your pet soak a bit in warm water mixed with a cupful of Epsom salts to relieve sore muscles and also impart a healthy shine to the coat.
Add oils to your pet’s diet
Healthy oils like Coconut oil, Olive oil and Fish oil are necessary for healthy, shiny coat. If your dog’s coat is dry and brittle, add a teaspoon or two of one of the above oils to his diet. Fish oil supplements are one of the most important shiny dog coat supplements to feed daily to dogs having dull, dry and brittle coat. These supplements prevent inflammation and itchiness and also prevent excess shedding.
Use coconut oil topically
The lauric acid in coconut oil helps detangle and deodorize coat between baths and also imparts a healthy shine to pet hair. Use coconut oil regularly for massaging your pet to prevent hot spots, dandruff and parasitic infestations. You can leave the oil in the fur or shampoo off after a few hours or overnight. Here is a great brand of coconut oil for dogs which is edible and can also be applied topically for shiny, healthy and itch-free coat.
Use conditioning shampoos
If you are using tick and flea shampoos for bathing your pet, chances are that they are stripping your pet’s fur off its natural oils. So make sure you use a conditioner having ingredients like oatmeal, rosemary, chamomile etc to add back the moisture and keep your baby’s coat healthy and moisturized.
Avoid moisture on the skin and fur
Dogs who get wet in the rain or love swimming need to be dried carefully and thoroughly to prevent ringworm and fungal infections. Apart from using a towel to dry their fur, use a bit of non-scented powder like Gold Bond (or cornstarch) in between the folds to absorb moisture and keep the skin dry.
Give regular trims
Pet parents having long haired fur babies need to use the trimmer and clippers regularly to prevent matting and shedding as well as parasitic infestations. Regular grooming and trimming is necessary to keep the coat healthy and prevent fungal, bacterial and parasitic infections.
Avoid room heaters as far as possible
Often times, if your dog’s coat is very dry and brittle, your room heater may be the culprit. Your dog may be resting near the heater’s vents in winters to keep warm, but this can take a toll on his coat. Feed him a good Omega 3 essential fatty acid supplement and also use a good quality shampoo with emollient to moisturize the coat. Keep your pet warm using pet sweaters or tees.
Use this homemade ‘shiny dog coat’ spray recipe
- 2 tbsp chopped rosemary leaves and chopped lavender leaves each
- 1-2 tbsp organic, raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar
- 6 cups water
In a pot, boil the water and remove from heat once boiling. Add the leaves and vinegar and let mixture sit for a few hours. Strain and store in spray bottle. Use this spray on your pet’s coat after bath. For pet parents who prefer ready-to-use dog shiny coat spray available commercially, here is a good brand. It contains Lavender and Chamomile and can be used between baths to freshen up the coat and prevent odors. The essential oils in the spray also keep the coat shiny.
Feed him eggs
For dog shiny coat, eggs are perfect super foods. Add cooked eggs to your pet’s diet. Most dogs love eggs and you can feed them boiled or scrambled. Avoid raw eggs and raw egg shells which could increase the risk of salmonella poisoning. Do ensure that your pet is not allergic to eggs.
Suave coat booster recipe
Nutrition is a huge part of home remedies for making dog’s fur shiny soft and healthy. This puree recipe is guaranteed to heal skin problems and also keep your dog’s coat shiny and healthy.
- 1 to 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- ½ clove of crushed garlic
- 1/3 rd cup wheat germ
- 2 boiled eggs with shell intact
- 1-2 tbsp Brewer’s yeast
Blend all ingredients and store the puree in an air tight container. This will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Add this to the dog food.
Dog skin and coat supplements
Many top quality shiny dog coat supplements are readily available in the market; your vet can prescribe the right brand. Most of them contain Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Here is a good brand with great reviews.
Use these easy ways to give your dog shiny and healthy coat.