Dry dog food for sensitive skin helps reduce inflammation and itching.
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Best dry dog food for sensitive skin in 2024
Dogs with sensitive skin need to be fed a specialised high-quality diet to maintain their fragile skin. The best dry dog food to give your pup a shiny coat are grain-free options with fatty acid supplements.
If your pet shows signs of irritation, itching or hair loss, they might have sensitive skin. Following a check-up at the vet and the elimination of a parasite or allergic cause, it is essential to follow the food trail. An unsuitable diet can have disastrous effects on the beauty of a sensitive dog's coat.
Fortunately, many manufacturers offer ranges of dry dog food for sensitive skin, that contain the optimal amount of proteins, fatty acids and vitamins for skin and coat! They help to reduce inflammation while also providing all of the nutrients necessary for coat growth. There is a wide choice and you can select the best kibble for your pet according to their weight, age and even tastes.
Summary
What exactly is a sensitive dog?
There are two types of sensitive dogs in terms of animal nutrition:
- Dogs with skin sensitivity easily develop redness or itching. Atopy, an allergic condition that causes dry skin, itching, and hair loss, is one of the most common causes of dermatological sensitivity in dogs. Diet can play an essential role in restoring the skin barrier and lowering the risk of allergies.
- Dogs with digestive sensitivity: these are the dogs who have issues digesting their food properly. He often has diarrhoea, may vomit or refuse his food. Again, a suitable diet can help to alleviate or even eliminate the condition.
A sensitive dog will react as a result of a specific environment or diet, whereas a normal dog will not.
How can I tell if my dog has sensitive skin?
A sensitive dog tends to scratch a lot. They have dry skin, which presents as scales or dandruff on the back or stomach. They may also develop scabs in case of bacterial superinfection.
The symptoms can be almost permanent or appear after a change in diet or during a specific season, for example, in spring, for dogs sensitive to certain pollens.
In all cases, it is important to consult your veterinarian who can rule out more serious conditions and prescribe medication in the event of an attack.
What should I be on the lookout for if my dog has sensitive skin?
If your dog has sensitive skin, you should try to figure out what triggers the itching or dull coat. It could be a food such as milk, meat or gluten. If the latter is the case, you can try feeding your pet grain-free kibble.
It could also be the detergent you use to wash their blanket or the floor cleaner you use. In this case, you can opt for the good old Marseille soap. As a general rule, for dogs with sensitive skin, it's best to keep things simple and natural!
Some dogs are allergic to pollens, plants or house dust mites.
There are times when no cause can be identified.
Remember to treat your pet for fleas as when exposed to these parasites dogs with sensitive skin are more likely to develop an XXL reaction. Oral treatments are preferable to pipettes and collars, which can cause local skin irritations.
What is the difference between regular and sensitive skin dog food?
Dry dog food for sensitive skin has a special formula that helps reduce the risk of food allergies while strengthening the skin barrier. It usually contains:
- A single source of protein or hydrolysed protein
- Higher levels of fatty acids as well as vitamins A and E
- Trace elements like zinc
Food allergy in dogs is frequently associated with protein. Feeding a single protein source, preferably the one to which the dog has had limited previous exposure, such as salmon or lamb, can help minimise the risk.
Another method is to hydrolyse or break down the proteins so that they are no longer recognised by the dog's immune system and do not trigger an allergic reaction.
Grain-free kibbles can be used if your pup has a gluten allergy, which is uncommon in dogs.
How do I switch my pet to dry dog food for sensitive skin?
The transition should always take at least ten days. Start by adding a few kibbles for sensitive dogs to your pet's regular diet and then gradually increase the proportion. Be careful, as making the switch too quickly can lead to digestive problems such as diarrhoea.
To notice the benefits of your dog’s new diet for sensitive skin, you will need to stick with it for roughly 2 months.
