What is the best oil for dogs skin and coat

4 Healthy Oils To Add To Your Dog's Diet

By Andrew Daniels

Just like you, your dog may not be getting all the necessary nutrition he needs from eating his regular diet. While standard dog food can certainly come packed with plenty of essential nutrients, you can supplement your dogs dietary regimen with certain healthy oilsjam packed with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acidsto promote optimum heath.

In this simple guide, well show you how to pick these natural oils for dogs, and offer best practices and feeding tips.

What are the healthiest oils for dogs?

Fish oil:Fish oil contains EPA and DHA, omega-3 fatty acids that help arthritis, and also has some anti-cancer effects, says Nancy Scanlan, DVM, CVA, MSFP, and executive director of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation. Fish oil can also improve your dogs memory.

The primary reason I recommend fish-oil based omega-3 fatty aids is to yield a natural anti-inflammatory effect that can help reduce overall inflammation in the body and potentially decrease my patients reliance on medications aimed at reducing inflammation and pain, says Dr. Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVA, CVJ, and a certified veterinary acupuncturist with California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness (CPAW).

Krill oil:While fish oil usually comes from fish higher on the food chain, like salmon, krill oil hails from tiny shrimp-like organisms that rank a little lower. This makes krill oil less likely to be contaminated with mercury, Dr. Scanlan says. It also contains EPA and DHA, and will help give your pet healthier joints and skin, in addition to other benefits.

All dogs are omnivores that lean towards the carnivorous side, so they best absorb non-vegetarian-based oils like fish and krill, explains Dr. Mahaney.

Coconut oil:Extra-virgin coconut oil has become a popular choice for humans because its a healthier alternative to more processed saturated and trans fats, and the same applies to dogs. Coconut oil has also been shown to help dogs lose weight, give them more energy, and offer relief to dry skin. Bonus: It will help improve your dogs bad breath!

Flaxseed oil:This oil is high in alpha linolenic omega-3s, which puts it in the same ballpark as wild fish when it comes to boosting heart health. Like many of the other healthy oils, flaxseed oil also helps with mobility for arthritic dogs, and can aid in blood pressure and kidney function.

How can I serve my dogs healthy oils?

Most oils come in either capsule form or free oil. But a jar of oil, once opened and exposed to the air, can become rancidso capsules are usually a better way to go, says Dr. Scanlan.

However, it could depend on your dogs taste preferences. Hearty-eating dogs may readily consume a capsule or allotted portion of liquid out of their food, says Dr. Mahaney. Most liquid oils mix best with moist food, but you can still pour them over dry food like kibble, he adds.

Capsules also tend to best be consumed out of moist food. Pets that are unwilling to consume the capsule may take it in liquid form if the capsule is pierced, squeezed, and mixed into the moist food or a soft treat, Dr. Mahaney says.

Do these oils have any negative effects for dogs?

Too much of any oil can cause weight gain, says Dr. Scanlan. A large dose of oil all at once can cause pancreatis in a susceptible individualespecially if they are fat, she adds.

Too much oil can also lead to a vitamin E deficiency if you dont properly supplement with some additional vitamin E.

Fish oil can prolong the time it takes blood to clot, so if your pet is going to have surgery, its best to stop the oil for at least five days before and five days after the operation, Dr. Scanlan says.

Whats the best way to tell quality when looking for these oils?

Companies that have the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) seal are required to show that their products have been tested in labs to have the right kind and amount of oil in each capsule, says Dr. Scanlan. Look for this seal.

How do I know if oils are right for my dog?

If your dog is consuming a commercially available pet food and is suffering from skin conditions (like skin flaking or a dull coat), inflammation diseases (such as arthritis and cancer), or organ system damage, then talk to your vet about potentially adding oils that are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 nutrients to your dogs diet, says Dr. Mahaney.

Image:HandmadePictures/ Shutterstock

12 Human Foods for Dogs Shiny Coat

Quality food helps your pooch stay in top shape not only on the inside but on the outside as well, and some help to improve or maintain the dog's shiny coat.

According to Dawn Logas, DVM, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology,

Reputable commercial dog foods typically contain enough nutrients, including essential fatty acids, to maintain healthy skin and shiny coat.

But of course, sometimes we can't help but wonder what other human foods are ok for dogs to eat to have shinier coats.

In this article, we'll cover a variety of human foods and supplements that promote a shiny and healthy coat in dogs, as well as specific vitamins, minerals, and nutrients responsible for this.

Human Foods For Dog's Shiny Coat

1. Almonds

These nutrient-dense nuts contain all that make up the entire vitamin E family, specifically tocopherols and tocotrienols, which are huge helpers in promoting healthy skin and hair.

In addition to vitamin E, almonds contain copper, manganese, bioflavonoids, B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc.

They even have a bit of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for promoting a shiny and healthy coat in dogs.

Note that you can only feed your dog a small amount of almonds, and only as an occasional treat.

2. Carob

The abundance of vitamin E in this dog-friendly alternative to chocolate supports skin and coat health in dogs.

Carob also has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties that positively affect dogs' coats and contains vitamins and minerals, such as iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, silica, vitamins A, B1, B2, niacin, phosphorus, and protein.

While carob is considered a healthier and dog-safe alternative to chocolate because it doesnt have any caffeine or theobromine, it contains a lot of natural sugars, so feed it to your pup in moderation.

Carob also does not contain oxalic acid, so it will not impede calcium absorption in a dog.

3. Chia Seeds

These seeds are rich in Omega-3 essential fatty acids and promote a dogs skin and coat health while helping fight off and clear up skin inflammation.

They're a superfood containing many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including B vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, protein, zinc, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is a plant-based form of Omega-3.

4. Coconut

A famous human food that can be fed to dogs in its oil form (vets recommend using unrefined, virgin, cold-pressed oil) or raw, given to dogs in the form of organic and unsweetened coconut chips or fresh coconut if you have access to it.

Remember that it must be organic and unsweetened, and always start by giving your pet very small amounts (1/8 teaspoon per 10 pounds of dog's body weight is a common recommendation).

Coconut is great for a dogs skin and coat health because it contains at least 90% saturated fats and most of that comes from what is known as Medium-Chain Triglycerides (or MCTs).

MCTs are commonly known as the good fats and have many beneficial effects.

One particularly helpful MCT found in coconut oil is lauric acid, shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties that may help fight off infections and viruses, both externally and internally, by reducing bacterial growth, irritation, and inflammation within the body, and on the dogs skin.

5. Cranberries

These antioxidant-rich berries have long been used medicinally to treat various issues, including skin wounds and eczema.

Cranberries are high in flavonoids, antioxidant proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid.

Anthocyanins, in particular, are the flavonoid that studies have shown to be the strongest and most powerful flavonoid out of 150 different flavonoids that have been tested, making this antioxidant more powerful than vitamin E.

Anthocyanins are also known to have anti-inflammatory properties and have been shown to reduce the effects of allergic reactions on dogs' skin.

6. Eggs

Eggs are nutrient-rich and often referred to as one of the very best foods for a healthy coat and skin in dogs.

They're full of vitamin A, which repairs skin and cell damage, and keeps a dogs coat and skin healthy and shining; biotin in egg yolks treats skin conditions and allergic reactions (and biotin deficiency can cause many skin conditions and hair loss in dogs).

B vitamins and lutein in eggs repair skin tissue and keep it hydrated, and zinc generally promotes healthy, shiny-looking coats in dogs.

Organic eggs produced by free-range chickens are the best kind due to the optimal ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6.

7. Fresh Fish or Fish Oil

Fresh fish or a can of high-quality tuna or wild salmon will provide your pet with enough essential fatty acids.

Alternatively, you can use fish oil supplements and sprinkle/pour them over your dogs food or hide a capsule into a dog-safe treat.

Salmon is especially high in omega-3s.

Always carefully follow the dosage guidelines on the bottle if using supplements.

Alternatives to fish oil are flax seed and sunflower oils, which have also been proven to be effective in improving a dogs skin and coat conditions in this study from Veterinary Dermatology (PDF).

8. Liver

It may not sound (or smell) appetizing to most of us, but dogs love it.

Even better, the liver is full of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that will boost the health and shine of a dogs skin and coat, including iron, potassium, zinc, copper, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D and E, pantothenic acid, folic acid, and biotin.

Make sure to feed your dog high-quality liver from grass-fed animals only.

9. Oats

This powerful and easy-to-digest food is well-known for its ability to soak up toxins within the body.

One of the ways to promote healthy skin and shiny coats in dogs is by supporting the dogs gastrointestinal functions and removing coat-dulling toxins from their body.

Additionally, oats are high in vitamins and minerals that promote coat health, such as phosphorous, potassium, B vitamins, iron, calcium, and magnesium.

10. Raw Food Diet

The liver isn't the only organ meat good for dogs' coats.

While it remains debated, many vets agree with a raw diet because it's natural, fresh, and contains no artificial fillers.

Good fats, in particular, are essential for a shiny coat, and no fat can be stored in shelved foods without preservatives.

Recent studies have also found benefits in feeding dogs a raw diet (when done right), some of which directly affect dogs' coats and skin.

11. Sweet Potatoes

The high vitamin C content in sweet potatoes speeds up the healing process of a dogs skin and promotes collagen production.

Sweet potatoes also contain high levels of other vitamins and minerals, such as beta-carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin A, iron, calcium, potassium, folate, thiamine, and copper, all of which are necessary for a healthy coat.

12. Wild Salmon

Wild salmon contains tons of protein and good fats with omega-3s and selenium, a mineral critical to the proper functioning of a dogs immune system and has been shown in studies to aid in preventing cancer.

Research revealed that a bioactive peptide in salmon called calcitonin is crucial to skin and hair health because of its ability to regulate and stabilize the balance of collagen and minerals in bone and surrounding tissue.

Human Foods For Dog's Shiny Coat: FAQs

Do eggs make dogs coats shiny?

In addition to protein, eggs also provide fatty acids and vitamins that contribute to a dog's glossier coat.

Most of the necessary fatty acids that give skin its sheen are found in eggs. They can be boiled, scrambled, fried, and then served with Fido's other food or by themselves as a treat.

What is good for dog hair shine?

Your woofer's coat is kept healthy and glossy by omega-6 fatty acids. If properly preserved, this component ought to be found in quality dog diets.

Omega-3 fatty acids can help your pet's skin conditions as well. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in large quantities in fish and flaxseed oil.

What vegetables are good for dogs' skin and coat?

Beta-carotene, which is abundant in pumpkin, benefits your dog's skin and coat as well as their eyes, immune system, and vision.

Another superfood for the skin is sweet potatoes. They are an excellent source of vitamin E and have high levels of vitamin A and beta-carotene.

Human Foods For Dog's Shiny Coat: Before You Go

As with anything in life, it's important to remember that too much of a good thing can be bad.

This applies to having too many shiny-coat boosting nutrients, vitamins, and minerals coming from human foods.

Generally, the dog gets everything they need when its pup is fed a balanced diet from commercial foods or accurately made homemade recipes.

That being said, feeding any of these human foods in moderation, as an occasional treat, or adding a little to your pet's dish will not hurt a dog as long as you account for calories.

To notice positive effects, some dogs may need more of these human foods than others, depending on the breed and size of the dog, their current daily diet, health condition, and the current state of your dog's skin and coat.

Always speak with your veterinarian before adjusting your pup's diet, specifically seeking results like coat/skin improvement.

READ NEXT:

Want to share?