Pet Skin Doctor

Why does my pet have dry skin?  This is a question we hear often at Pet Skin Doctor.  Unfortunately, there is no simple answer that will fit all.  Dogs, cats and ferrets can all experience dry skin or even worse skin problems.

However, there are a few things that you can do to help manage and possible even combat pet dry skin.  First, and most important, is proper pet care.  This includes clean feeding and bedding areas, the appropriate diet and regular exercies.  ”Proper: depends on the type and age of your pet.  Next, we discuss preventative care, including flea treatment, daily use of an all-natural food supplement and/or an all-natural skin therapy lotion for pets with current conditions or that are pre-disposed to have a condition.

If you’ve noticed your pet has been scratching, licking, chewing and/or biting more often than usual, you’ll want to take a serious look over of their skin and coat.  Of course you’ll be looking for evidence of fleas, usually the first thing that comes to mind.  However, a symptom of an underlying health problem is pet skin allergies.  On the surface of the skin you will find red, irritated and/or dry patches of skin, as well as possible areas of hair loss or even open sores (depending on how long your pet has been itching or chewing the area). 

The most common pet skin allergies are from parasites, such as flea saliva (not necessarily a major flea infestation as just one flea bite can cause an allergic reaction in some animals), an allergic reaction to a food, ingredient or by-product, or a hypersensitivity to pollen, wool, dust mites or other inhalant or contact allergens.

I know that it is not something that pet owner’s like to hear, but your pet can develop a food allergy or may lack proper nutrition caused by their daily pet food intake.  Perhaps you’ve been feeding them the same brand or type of food for years and suddenly it seems to be causing pet skin conditions.

It may be a high quality pet food full of nutrients or a less expensive food containing mostly grains.  A dog, cat or even ferret can develop a food allergy at any time and to any food, ingredient or food by-product.  In fact, many animals who develop pet skin conditions, a symptom of an underlying cause, is due to a food allergy.

If you’ve suddenly realized that your dog, cat or ferret is constantly scratching, licking or chewing their skin your first thought may have been, “Oh no! Not fleas!”  You start to itch yourself at this thought!  You call Fido over and get him to roll on his belly, checking that and his armpits, looking for the little nibblers.  You don’t discover fleas, but instead a patch of red and irritated skin.  Or maybe even a couple of patches.

The good news?  It’s not fleas!  The bad news? Pet itchy skin, if not caused by fleas, means you have a potentially larger problem on your hands.  Sorry, but it’s best to deal with it as quickly as possible.  First, you should attempt a way to keep your pet from getting at the area any longer.  Next, make an appointment with your vet and then minimize the long-term effects on your pet’s coat and skin by treating the area with an all-natural skin therapy lotion while you research and monitor your pets condition until proper diagnosis can be made.

The absolute best advice we can give on pet skin care is this; do your homework.  The type of pet you own, it’s breed and the age of the animal is going to affect what constitutes as proper pet skin care.  Although we can promise you that there are some very basic important commonalities.

Proper nutrition, exercise and grooming are your top three.  When, where and how often are up to your lifestyle and type of pet.  Other tips include having a routine and doing the best you can to keep undue stress to a minimum.  Even a slight change in you and your pet(s) routine can be upsetting to your furry friend.  Most pet owner’s acknowledge how stressful bringing home a new pet can be for the new addition, current pets and of course, family.  But remember that traveling (theirs and/or yours!), unusual visitors and trips to the vet can cause a ripple in their steady stream of day-to-day like as well.

Cats love to climb Christmas trees!  Dogs love to eat ornaments off Christmas trees!  As wonderful as the holidays are (and as cute as these critters are being bad) our primary concern during the holidays is every one’s safety!  Pets just can’t help themselves, they are attracted to the holiday decor that surrounds them.  It was actually during the holiday season that we discovered our indoor cat Rufus was allergic to the outdoors!  We had decided to pick out a real Christmas tree that year and nearly overnight our poor Rufus began displaying signs of cat skin conditions.

Unfortunately for us, but fortunately for many pet owner’s, this is not the typical problem that comes of having a real tree and pets that can’t help themselves.  One year our dog, CG, a lab/collie mix, knocked over the entire 6 foot tree while trying to sniff under it!  I came across a very helpful holiday blog that offered a few pointers for defending your tree against your beloved critters:  Avoid tinsel, plastic or wooden balls are better than glass, block the tree’s watering pan from little tongues drinking the sticky water that can make them sick, invest in a large, sturdy tree stand, spray light cords with bitter apple to discourage chewing, unplug the lights when not in use, clean up fallen needles regularly and lastly, don’t decorate with edible ornaments.  Happy Holidays!