How to Keep Your Puppy's Skin Moisturized

Don't bathe your puppy too often.
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Dry skin is never something to overlook in a puppy. Causing as much itchiness as fleas, dry skin can cause puppies to scratch at their skin until bloody sores appear. The bad news is your grooming schedule may be to blame. The good news is that you can remedy dry skin without any hassle. With just a few supplies, you can ease the itch and cure your puppy's dry skin.

Bathe your puppy only when she's dirty. Bathing a puppy too frequently can quickly dry out her skin by stripping it of the essential oils that keep the skin moist. Only bathe your dog around once per month. If you find yourself having to bathe your dog more often, consider using dry baths instead.

Follow the bath with a moisturizer. For dry areas that don't have too much hair, such as the stomach, you can use a moisturizer. Olive oil makes a great moisturizer because you don't have to worry about it being toxic. Just place some olive oil on your fingertips and rub the dry area of skin.

Brush the fur to remove dead hair and dander. Dead hair and dander can clog up the pores, preventing essential oils from coating the skin. Brush your dog daily to remove any loose hair.

Feed your puppy a high-quality dog food. Poor quality food can often be the cause of dry skin. This is because low-quality food doesn't contain the proper nutrients puppies need. A good quality food should contain both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to not only keep your dog's heart safe, but to improve skin moisture.

Tips

  • If your puppy has an odor in between bath times, use wipes, baking soda or pet perfumes to freshener her coat. You can also wash your dog with a moisturizing shampoo. If your puppy doesn't like being brushed, use a brush glove. The glove fits on your hand and your pet will think you are just petting her, while you're actually brushing. Puppies with two coats may need longer brush times to remove all the dead fur. During the shedding season, you may need to brush your puppy more than once a day.

Warnings

  • Only use shampoos and moisturizers that are puppy-safe. If you don't rinse all the moisturizer from the fur, it can cause the skin to become too oily. Dry skin may also be the result of a skin allergy. If these tips do not help, consult your veterinarian about getting your puppy tested for skin allergies.

Warnings

  • Only use shampoos and moisturizers that are puppy-safe.

  • If you don't rinse all the moisturizer from the fur, it can cause the skin to become too oily.

  • Dry skin may also be the result of a skin allergy. If these tips do not help, consult your veterinarian about getting your puppy tested for skin allergies.

Tips

  • If your puppy has an odor in between bath times, use wipes, baking soda or pet perfumes to freshener her coat.

  • You can also wash your dog with a moisturizing shampoo.

  • If your puppy doesn't like being brushed, use a brush glove. The glove fits on your hand and your pet will think you are just petting her, while you're actually brushing.

  • Puppies with two coats may need longer brush times to remove all the dead fur.

  • During the shedding season, you may need to brush your puppy more than once a day.

Items You Will Need

  • Olive oil
  • Brush
  • High-quality dog food