Regular grooming is just one of the key components to ensuring your pet’s skin health. Other factors like environmental triggers, allergies and diet also play a role in skin issues they deal with. It can be tempting to try and treat skin issues with at-home remedies or over-the-counter medicines, but our professional expertise is your best bet.
What can cause skin issues?
The primary culprit of your pet’s skin issues is usually external irritants like parasites, environmental allergies and food. Parasites like fleas and ticks can cause itchy, irritated skin. Pollen, certain types of grass or foods can also trigger skin infections. You’ll know your pet has a skin issue if you notice excessive licking, hair loss, body odour, red spots, open sores, or excessively rubbing against objects.
What food should I feed my pet to maintain skin health?
Some foods can trigger allergic reactions, so it’s important to pay close attention to any irregularities in your pet after introducing new items to their diet. Before trying new foods with your pet, it’s important to consult our veterinary team. Foods that are rich with nutrients like Vitamin E and Omega-3s support a healthy skin and coat. Some you can consider include:
- Chia seeds
- Eggs
- Oats
- Almond
- Wild salmon
- Sweet potatoes
Why should I book an appointment for skin issues?
Your pet can recover from some issues over time without much intervention. However, since the skin is your pet’s largest (and most exposed) organ, complications can be a sign of an underlying health issue or can lead to further problems if treated improperly. Though there are a range of over-the-counter products or home remedies that claim to effectively treat skin issues, many only treat the symptoms and not the root cause. Visiting us means getting more comprehensive, holistic medical advice that treats and alleviates skin issues in the long term. To book an appointment, please contact us at 403-253-7044.
