1. Nutrition
A Good Quality Feeding Program literally shines out from your dog. Always check that your dog’s daily food is rich in protein (chicken, turkey, beef or lamb). When you check the brand ingredients on the food label protein should be the first on the list. Make sure that the food has a low quantity of grains and preservatives.
Add Omega 3 Fatty Acids to Your Dog’s Diet To Make Your Dog’s Coat Shine. Add a little oily fish or a supplement to nourish the skin cells and improve dryness or itchy patches. Omega 3 has anti-inflammatory properties that help if your dog has allergies or other skin conditions.
It is important to only add small quantities of oily fish to start with because it can cause diarrhea.
Examples of oily fish:
- Mackerel
- Salmon
- Herring
- Sardines
- Flaxseeds and Cod liver oil is also a great source of Omega 3 Fatty Acid.
2. Daily Grooming
Brushing your dog every day will not only stop the coat from getting matted or tangled, but it will also give the coat a great shine. Use good quality grooming tools specific to the breed and type of coat. If your dog has a long coat use a de-shedding tool to remove all the loose, damaged fur. Check for ticks and fleas so that they can be treated straight away. Look out for abnormalities when you groom your dog. If you spot lumps, rashes and sores on the skin, consult your vet for early diagnosis.
3. Bathing
If you want to achieve a shiny dog coat you may need to bathe your dog less frequently. The reason is that bathing strips the coat of essential oils needed to keep the coat looking healthy. Try to restrict regular baths to just one per month and use good quality dog shampoo and conditioners which are made from natural products. Make sure you rinse the fur really well after bathing. Any residue will leave the coat dull and lifeless. If your dog has itchy skin or allergies an oatmeal bath will soothe the skin and add shine to the coat. Add a final rinse of alcohol-free beer to the fur, leave for five minutes then rinse thoroughly to get the coat to really shine.