Winter Skincare Solutions For Dogs and Cats

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Holly

Winter’s cold weather and low humidity conditions can cause your skin to become dry and uncomfortable. This also affects dogs and cats, despite their layer of fur for protection. Winter skin and coat problems are a common concern for pet owners. Indoor heating can dry out the air and circulate allergens throughout your home. Just as you may take extra steps to keep your skin healthy when the weather turns cool, we’ve also put together some tips for your pets.

Exposed Skin

Dogs and cats grow their winter coat, but this does not mean they are always protected from frostbite and skin injury. The most vulnerable frostbite areas are paw pads, ears, and tail. Learn more about the signs of frostbite. Monitor weather conditions closely and limit your pet’s time outdoors, especially during low wind chills, extreme colds, and other winter weather warnings. Snow and ice can cut paws, so keep paw pads hydrated and protected with a spray or balm before walking. When you return home, wipe their paws to remove potentially toxic or irritating substances like salt, ice melt products, and antifreeze.

Humidity

Make sure your home is comfortable for you and your pets all winter long by controlling the humidity levels. If you have a forced-air or central furnace system, it will emit dry heat throughout your home. This low-humidity environment quickly dries the skin and nasal passages and causes static electricity shocks. To combat dry air, try using a humidifier.

Winter Allergies

Allergies may burden your dog or cat throughout the warm weather, but during the winter months, pets usually spend most of their time inside your home. Dust mites and mold are common indoor allergens triggered in the colder months. If it’s already dry, continual scratching from allergies and irritants can damage your pet’s skin and make them prone to other skin problems or infections. While they cannot survive freezing temperatures outdoors, fleas can thrive indoors during winter. Consider using preventatives all year long to keep your pet from being bitten.

Diet & Nutrition

If your dog’s skin is easily dry or irritated during winter, talk to your veterinarian about trying a special diet or incorporating supplements. Omega fatty acids can be supplemented to help support healthy skin. Poor nutrition, including low dietary protein levels can cause a dull hair coat.

Grooming & Bathing

It can be challenging to bathe your dog or cat in the winter. Instead, use wipes for spot cleansing or a waterless shampoo. Regular brushing also helps encourage blood circulation and distributes natural oils to help moisturize the skin.

VetRxDirect offers a variety of products to meet your dog or cat’s skincare needs every season. Check out these top picks for winter:

Aloe and Oatmeal Shampoo is a soothing shampoo for dogs and cats with itchy or dry skin. It contains soothing oatmeal extract, moisturizing aloe vera, and emollients to soothe dry, irritated, and flaking skin. Wipes gently cleanse the skin and keep the haircoat fresh in between baths.

Demoscent Bio Balm is a fragrance-free product that moisturizes and protects exposed skin areas, including paw pads, nose, and elbows, from the harsh effects of winter. Bio Balm also helps treat dry, rough, and cracked skin caused by pressure calluses or excessive thickening of the skin.

O3 Omega features high potency essential fatty acids EPA and DHA from wild-caught fish oil. It includes vitamins A, D, and E. It helps promote healthy skin and coat and immune and joint health. Giving O3 Omega to your dog or cat is easy since it comes in various options, including capsules, clip tips, and liquid.

Dermoscent Essential Mousse is a no-rinse cleansing, hydrating foam for dogs and cats that deodorizes and gently cleans without the hassle of bathing. It removes dirt, allergens, and dandruff with all-natural ingredients. Essential Mousse does not contain soap-based cleansers and has a gentle, pH-balanced formula.

How to Treat Dry Skin in Dogs and Cats

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Wes Hepker

Shampoos for Dry Skin in Dogs and Cats

Countless surveys have confirmed most pet owners consider their fury friend to be a member of the family. They love them, feed them, and care for their pets when they get sick. In some cases, however, the medical issue cannot be resolved with simple home remedies. A dog or cat owner must then make an appointment with a veterinarian.

Even though it is covered with fur or hair, skin disorders in pets are quite common. Some are chronic and can last for years, even a lifetime, while other are acute and must be treated immediately. Most of the dermatological problems dogs and cats suffer from have a human counterpart. The causal agent is often found in our/their environment.

Symptoms of Dry Skin in Pets

Both cats and dogs will scratch, lick, and bite at an itch, which is perfectly normal. But if this activity becomes persistent, it is time to call his/her veterinarian. Nonstop scratching can result in serious injuries, including redness, inflammation and infection. What may have been a relatively minor issue can become a major one if the problem is ignored.

The medical term for excessive scratching of undamaged skin is pruritus, and it is a symptom of numerous skin disorders. When it affects the skin directly, the most common diagnosis is some form of dermatitis. Because they are less adept at cleaning themselves, dogs are more likely to suffer from these issues than cats.

Causes of Dry Skin in Pets

Most skin or coat problems in pets can be placed in one of the following categories: nutritional, parasitic, environmental, allergic, neurogenic, or infectious. Many occur because a dog or cat has a sensitivity or allergy to something in the food or environment. For example, your pet might be allergic to dust, flea bites, an ingredient of food, or any number of irritants. Excessive scratching often ensues, as well dry, flaky skin and a dull, lackluster coat.

In fact, our canine or feline friend’s coat can be used as a general gauge of health at almost any age. When itching is an issue, the hair or fur may be in a persistent state of stress. The only way to relieve this tension is to treat the symptoms of the dermatitis, whatever they may be. In addition to prescription medications that are specifically designed to address each form of the disease, more general solutions and supplements can help.

Treating Dry Skin in Pets

Parasites, inexpensive pet food, even sunburns can result in dry, red, itchy, uncomfortable skin. Once the underlying issues have been addressed, it may be possible to soothe affected areas with the right shampoo. But before we discuss a few popular brands, it is important to note that cats may not benefit from bathing as much as dogs. In fact, over bathing can actually aggravate their dry skin, since cats are meticulous groomers and may not need to be bathed. However, if your veterinarian recommends bathing, it is often best to use a conditioner to prevent drying out your cat’s skin.

Shampoos for Dry Skin in Pets

Allergroom with Glycotechnology Routine Shampoo for Normal or Dry Skin in Pets

Allergroom is specially formulated for dogs and cats with normal or dry skin. This shampoo is a moisturizing, hypoallergenic cleaner without ingredients which cause drying, such as coal, tar, selenium, or sulfur. It is also free of sensitizing agents, including soaps, detergents, and fragrances. Allergroom is designed for frequent use and is pH controlled to optimize the condition of the skin and coat of your dog or cat. Numerous tests have confirmed this cleaner can protect the skin from environmental damage. It may also help delay the onset of irritation resulting from yeast or topical bacteria.

Aloe & Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner for Pets

Designed for pets with sensitive or dry skin, this aloe & oatmeal based shampoo helps soothe irritated or damaged skin. Not only does it infuse much needed moisture, it also gently cleans your pet’s skin and coat without robbing them of the oils they require for general health. Safe for both cats and dogs, Aloe & Oatmeal Shampoo and Coat Conditioner contain moisturizing vitamins, such as A, D, and E.

DermAllay Shampoo and Conditioner Spray for Pets

A gentle cleansing system designed to treat dry, itchy skin in dogs and cats, DermAllay is 100 percent hypoallergenic. It contains safe, soothing moisturizers and ingredients, such safflower oil, sodium lactate, and solubilized oatmeal. When paired with the Conditioner, the duo imparts essential fatty acids, which add moisture to the skin and helps restore a natural, healthy luster to the hair and coat of your furry friend.

Leave us a note in the comments section below if you have any experiences using any of these fine products on your dog or cat. We all would be interested to know what successes you had while using any of these products. Thank you.

Have a squeaky clean day,

Wes