My dog's skin gets very dry in the fall and winter. What can I do?

The latter part of the year is a common time for dogs to have dry skin and subsequently more dander.  As soon as the temperature begins to drop, the humidity in the air is reduced.  Compounding the problem, we begin to run our in home heaters which also contributes to dryer conditions.  During this time of year, your dog's skin and coat require a little more care.



 Help for dogs with dry skin

Take these steps to take care of your dogs hair and skin:


1.      Bathe your dog as little as needed to keep its coat clean.

2.      Brush your dog often to remove dead hair and dander.

3.      If bathing is necessary, use a moisturizing shampoo made for dogs. Their pH is different from ours, so don't be tempted to use a human shampoo- it is much to harsh for their skin.

4.      Follow a bath when necessary with a moisturizing rinse made for dogs and their special needs.


Warning signs that your pet has more than dry skin

Pets scratch for many reasons, including allergies, parasites, or infection. All of these conditions may appear to be "dry skin" to the pet owner, but they actually require treatment by a veterinarian. Attempting home remedies may only complicate the problem or delay treatment. According to Dr. Crimi, you can't "assume that chewing and licking to the point of hair loss is from nerves. It usually isn't."


Plus, Dr. Crimi warns that often skin problems and poor hair quality in pets are merely symptoms of something else such as kidney, liver, adrenal or thyroid gland problems.


If notice any of these conditions or if the initial skin problem persists for more than a week, consult with your veterinarian for treatment.



  • Skin irritation, including redness, bumps, and rashes.

  • Open sores of any kind.

  • Excessive hair loss, either in concentrated patches or all over.

  • Dull, dry hair that pulls out easily.

  • Constant foot licking or face rubbing (with or without runny eyes or itchy ears).

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