July 21, 2025
Written By: VetriScience
You may picture your dog as a Westminster Grand Champion: full, soft coat gleaming in the sunlight with not even a single hair out of place, trotting along in the breeze. In reality, they may have just come inside from rolling in the mud.
Fortunately, we love our dogs no matter what they look like, but a shiny coat is more than just a pretty picture—maintaining healthy skin and coat for dogs can actually help support a happier, healthier pet! The key to keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy is a balance of proper nutrition and consistent, simple maintenance.
Try these 5 easy dog skin and coat care tips for a noticeable difference in your pet’s overall look and comfort!
1. Choose the right dog food for healthy skin & coat
Dogs really are what they eat, and their skin and coat can be a reflection of the nutrition they're receiving. An appropriate, balanced diet plays an important role in dog skin care!
Choosing the right dog food for healthy skin is vital. Some dog food brands offer specialty formulas for skin & coat care that are made with higher levels of omega fatty acids or that avoid specific proteins that may be more likely to irritate sensitive digestive systems.
If you're unsure whether your pet is getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals in their daily diet, talk to your vet about adding a multivitamin for dogs.
Some dogs are allergic to certain foods, and some of the first signs can be seen in the form of dull fur, hot spots, or dry, sensitive patches of skin. Your veterinarian can help you determine if your dog may be experiencing sensitivities to certain proteins or ingredients.
2. Add fish oil or an Omega supplement
Supplements can play an important role in supporting dog skin and coat care. Fish oil and Omega supplements and are an easy way to add Omega fatty acids to your dog's balanced diet. Look for high-quality skin & coat supplements for dogs that include fish oils, omega fatty acids, and ingredients like Vitamin E or biotin.
- Healthy Skin & Coat supports the health of both the skin and the fur and helps to reduce excessive shedding with quality ingredients including salmon oil, Vitamin E, and flaxseed meal. These tasty chews can help maintain the luster and sheen of your dog’s coat while supporting skin elasticity and resilience.
- Extra Strength Healthy Skin & Coat is an advanced skin support formula, with added ingredients like zinc and biotin and higher active levels of Omegas 3, 6, and 9.
- Omega Healthy Skin is an easy-to-give fish oil supplement for dogs and cats that’s formulated with an ideal balance of Omegas 3, 6, and 9 to support skin health and texture and help maintain a normal inflammatory response within the skin layers.
Adding fish oil supplements to your dog's routine for skin care is an easy way to support their overall well-being!
3. Provide seasonal allergy support, if needed
Providing a high-quality allergy supplement for dogs can help support their health and immune system in the face of seasonal or environmental allergy irritation. Allergy & Itch Support is formulated with omega-packed krill meal, botanical antioxidants, and probiotics to support skin health and help regulate the immune system's response to allergens.
Veterinary Strength Allergy & Itch Support combines Omega-3 fatty acids, quercetin and perilla seed extract, and hyaluronic acid to soothe itchy skin and promote healthy histamine levels in dogs.
Pair an allergy supplement for dogs with the power of Immune Health—a veterinarian-recommended immune supplement packed with antioxidants—to further support your dog's health & wellness and support a normal histamine response.
Not sure if your dog is experiencing environmental or seasonal allergies? See 12 signs your dog may be suffering from allergies.
4. Use vet-recommended flea & tick prevention
From a dog’s perspective, there is no greater irritation than an infestation of biting, itchy critters! A dog’s fur is the perfect transport for bugs, and they're happy to take advantage. Talk to your vet about the best available flea and tick preventatives for your unique pet and their needs—like soft chews or chewable tablets, topical treatments, or collars.
Combine that protection with our favorite tick-repellant spray that is gentle on skin, safe for use on fabrics, and highly effective against pests.
5. Following a regular grooming routine
Regular grooming, whether done at home or professionally, is important to the well-being and look of your dog. Many dogs love to be brushed and pampered, especially if you start bathing and brushing as a puppy and make it part of their regular routine (with lots of treats and praise, of course)!
Regular brushing helps distribute the natural oils on the skin, for a shiny coat. It also helps prevent painful mats and tangles in fur to help keep them comfortable and protect their skin. Invest in good grooming tools or find a Fear Free Certified® Groomer in your area to stay on top of coat care!
If you're struggling with grooming, try giving Calm & Confident calming chews 30 minutes before grooming to help soothe some of their stress.
For more of our best dog hair-care tips
Our top three dog hair care tips are easy, effective ways to help keep your dog looking their best.
But, we're always looking for new ideas! Do you have tips and tricks for maintaining a healthy, vibrant coat for your dog?
Tag us @vetriscience on Instagram or on Facebook to share!
Topics: Supplements, General Animal Health
