How to Smooth a Dog’s Hair

One of the indicators of a dog’s overall health is its coat. Dull or damaged coat may indicate that the dog is sick, under-groomed, or infected with parasites. If it is determined that the dog does not have any disease that affects the coat, smoothing the dog’s coat will become easier.

Table of Contents

Improve dog coat

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Provide your dog with a healthy and balanced diet. It is advisable to purchase foods that are balanced in nutritional content for dogs. You can ask your veterinarian to recommend the right product and dosage for your dog. A nutrient-rich diet is important for maintaining your dog’s health and coat.

If you want to make your own dog food, you should consult with your veterinarian about how to balance minerals and vitamins in your diet. Making your own dog food at home can definitely determine what you’re feeding your dog. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Give your dog an omega fatty acid supplement. You can find omega-6 supplements or add safflower or sunflower oil to your dog’s food. If you choose to add oil, you can add 1 teaspoon per day for small dogs or 1 teaspoon for large dogs. Avoid giving your dog too much oil as it can cause diarrhea. You can also take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement to help your dog fight inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in flaxseed oil and fish. No matter what supplement you give your dog, you should apply the correct dosage indicated on the product packaging.

Omega fatty acids can reduce itchy skin if your dog has allergies because they are a natural anti-inflammatory fatty acid.
Omega fatty acids also work to nourish the growing cells in the innermost layer of the dog’s skin. These cells take up to 28 days to move outside to form a new layer of skin for the dog. Therefore, you should not stop giving your dog fatty acids before this time. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Brush your dog’s coat regularly. Every few days, you should brush your dog’s coat once, no matter how long or short the dog’s coat is. You can use a comb or brush to untangle and remove dandruff and dead skin. Find the brushing tool that is best suited for your dog’s coat. You should use a brush deep into the dog’s hair to let the natural oils spread evenly and use a comb to detangle. ^{[3] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Brushing also helps increase oxygen to the dog’s skin, thereby helping to improve the condition of the dog’s coat and health.
You can rub a piece of dry skin over your dog’s coat to enhance the shine.

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Bathe your dog with an appropriate shampoo. To prevent the dog’s coat from losing its natural oils and drying out, you should not use shampoo to bathe your dog more than once a month. Choose a shampoo specifically made for dogs and suitable for the sensitivity of the dog’s skin and coat. For example, if your dog scratches a lot, you can choose a shampoo made for sensitive skin or made from oatmeal because oatmeal can reduce itching naturally. ^{[4] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

If your dog likes to roll in the dirt and needs frequent baths, you should choose the mildest and most moisturizing shampoo.
It is necessary to rinse the dog’s hair with water. Shampoo or conditioner residue left on the coat can irritate the skin, leaving the dog’s coat dull and lifeless.

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Check for parasites. You should look closely at your dog’s coat for parasites that affect the dog’s coat and overall health, such as fleas or ticks. Dog ticks are usually larger and slower than fleas, making them easier to spot. To check for fleas, you can use your finger to turn the hair upside down in certain areas of the dog’s body (like behind the ears, under the back, near the tail, and on the belly). Look for small black spots that look like pinheads, clustered in clusters and known as flea clumps.

Your dog should be taken to a veterinarian to be tested for worms or internal parasites. They can absorb all the nutrients of the dog and affect the coat. Your veterinarian can examine the stool sample and prescribe medication to treat internal parasites.
There is a parasite (Cheyletiella) called “walking dandruff” because they look a lot like large flakes of dandruff and can move if you look carefully. Veterinarians can check for Cheyletiella and recommend that you spray your dog’s coat every 2 weeks for 2-3 treatments. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Identify skin and health problems

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Identify signs of unwellness in dogs. If the dog is sick or feels nauseous, the dog can stop grooming. Dogs that do not lick their coat will become dirty and disheveled and this is a sign of illness that you need to tell your veterinarian. Notify your veterinarian if you notice the following signs in your dog: ^{[6] X Research Source}

Anorexia
Frequent thirst
Vomiting
Diarrhea or soft stools
Bad breath
Smelly ears
Limp
Shortness of breath

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Check for signs of toothache. Toothache is a cause of difficulty eating in dogs. As a result, the dog will look more disheveled and drop food on the fur. To check for signs of toothache, you can turn your dog’s lips up to look at the teeth and gums. White teeth and pink gums indicate that the dog’s teeth are healthy and normal. If the teeth are covered with plaque, are loose, or the gums are inflamed and bleeding, you need to take your dog to the vet. ^{[7] X Small Animal Internal Medicine Research Source . Nelson & Couto. Mosby.}

You may also notice that your dog’s breath smells bad and your dog’s eating habits become disheveled. If the tooth is damaged, the dog will spit out the food because it cannot chew. Eating sloppy food will make your dog’s coat dirty.

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Identify signs of arthritis. Arthritis is the cause of stiffness and pain in the joints. If the joint is stiff and painful, it can be difficult for the dog to groom itself. Dogs with arthritis often walk rigidly and have trouble getting up and down stairs or jumping in cars. You need to take your dog to the vet for treatment for arthritis pain. ^{[8] X Small Animal Internal Medicine Research Source . Nelson & Couto. Mosby.}

Besides, you should also help your dog brush his coat when he has arthritis. Pay attention to hard-to-reach spots on the fur.

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Check for signs of greasy hair and scaly skin. You should pay attention to the phenomenon that the dog’s skin is flaky and has dandruff or the dog’s coat becomes greasy. Your dog may be suffering from seborrhea – a condition in which the skin produces too much oil. Increased sebum production can cause flaking or dandruff. Your veterinarian needs to determine the cause of the oily or flaky skin in order to recommend a treatment. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Your veterinarian may recommend giving your dog a vitamin A or zinc supplement to treat skin problems. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Advice

Flaxseed oil and fish oil are rich in omega 6. However, fish oil often has a “fishy” smell, so you probably won’t want to choose this product to avoid bad breath.
Be wary of over-the-counter medications if you suspect your dog has internal parasites. Medicines you buy can be toxic to dogs.

Steps

Improve dog coat

Identify skin and health problems

Advice

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