Pet Topics

My five-year old Maltese, Heidi got me concerned with her skin seemed dry and flaky and her coat not seemed as the usual full and silky. Initially, I was not that troubled much for I thought it was just because of the dryness in the house during the winter months. But it did not clear up. It even got worse. Animal Pain Relief

Heidi sleeps right next to me each night, and her irritation got to the point where she was waking up to scratch so vigorously that it awakened me. Oh, how difficult it is to get a full-night’s sleep when your baby is in pain!

When I mentioned Heidi’s irritation to our veterinarian, Dr. Ava Frick, at Heidi’s appointment, she asked if I might possibly be bathing Heidi too often or using the wrong shampoo. I use a very mild shampoo and do not bathe Heidi too often although both reasons are common for a dog to experience skin irritation.

Fleas were out of the question, as I am diligent about preventing them from ever becoming a problem. She only goes outside to play for a bit each day and to relieve herself, and I am careful to have the yard treated in order to prevent fleas.

Ruling out those possibilities, Dr. Frick and I then discussed on how essential fatty acids are important to a dog’s healthy coat. I was quite worried about the possibility of Heidi having deficiency in her diet albeit I have the thinking of making the best choices when buying her food and treats.

I discovered about healthy fats that are essential in maintaining a dog’s coat in good shape The proper nutrients to support healthy skin and coat is not provided by low-quality commercial dog food. Improperly balanced homemade dog foods often lack proper nutrition.

Omega-6 is responsible in keeping the dog’s coat shine and luster as it replaces the oils in the skin. They are helpful for dogs with allergies or other inflammatory skin diseases. They are great since they can also lessen itchiness as most dogs irritate their skin by excessive scratching.

Dr. Frick advised some modifications on Heidi’s diet, including the addition of supplements. She said that I should start to see some improvement in Heidi’s skin and coat within about six weeks of starting Omega-3 supplementation, and she was exactly right.

Now, my dog’s skin and coat are more splendid than ever. And the best thing about it, Heidi’s irritation that led her to scratching like crazy finally stopped. Animal Chiropractic