How to Cure Dry Skin on Dogs: Everything You Need to Know

Written by

Dr. Paulina Czerska

Updated Date

Sep 23, 2024

12 minutes

What is Dry Skin on Dogs?

Dry skin is often a symptom associated with other health conditions. So, if your dog tends to have dry, flaky skin, then there’s probably something that needs to be addressed. The dryness comes from an imbalance of natural oils and moisture.

Normally, a dog’s skin constantly produces balanced amounts of sebum, which is a natural moisturizing oil. When something gets in the way and interferes with this process, the result is a dehydrated or irritated outer skin layer.

What Causes Dry Skin on Dogs?

An infographic showing the causes of dry skin on dogs.

Canine dry skin can come from various factors. Here are some of the common causes of dry skin in dogs:

Dietary Deficiencies

What your dog eats could be the cause of dry and flaky skin. Dogs need a good amount of healthy fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6, to keep their skin smooth and moisturized. Protein and essential vitamins also play a role.

When they lack these types of foods, they may experience dry skin that could lead to more complicated skin issues.

Environmental Factors

Dogs can also experience dry skin depending on specific seasons. Cold and dry weather can remove the moisture from their skin, resulting in itching, dryness, and flaking. On the opposite side of the spectrum, prolonged exposure to the sun can also cause dryness in your dog’s skin.

Allergies

Skin allergies are one of the most troublesome conditions your dog can face. It’s a leading cause of dry skin and can come from the food, environment, and fleas. These allergic reactions could lead to dryness, itchy patches, and hair loss.

Without proper treatment and management, prolonged exposure can lead to chronic dryness and other harmful effects.

Parasites

External parasites around your dog’s environment, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, could cause its dry skin. The irritation caused by these parasites can break down the skin’s natural barrier and cause dryness.

Infections

Skin infections, which can come from bacteria or fungi, can dry out the dog’s skin. Common examples include pyoderma, ringworm, and Malassezia. This often comes with other accompanying symptoms such as redness, inflammation, and irritation.

Medical Conditions

In some cases, dry skin could be a symptom of another medical condition. Hormonal changes and health issues, such as Cushing’s disease, hyperkeratosis, and hypothyroidism, can directly affect your dog’s skin’s health and make it easily affected by dryness and irritation.

Overbathing

Excessive grooming can be too much for your dog’s skin, resulting in dryness. Dogs don’t need to be bathed and groomed every day, as too much can be dangerous to their skin. Using harsh shampoos can also damage their skin, disrupting natural oils.

What are the Signs of Dry Skin on Dogs?

Spotting the first signs is great for knowing more about your dog’s skin condition. Here are a few signs of dry skin on dogs:

Flaky or Scaly Skin. You may notice flakiness or dandruff along your dog’s skin. These often come as a result of the skin losing moisture.

Excessive Scratching or Licking. Dogs may scratch or lick irritated areas excessively, which leads to more issues.

Rough or Cracked Skin. Affected dogs can also have rough and cracked skin, especially on their paws. It’s often a symptom of hyperkeratosis.

Poor Coat Quality. Dry skin also comes with poor coat quality, which looks dull and dry.

Scabs and Inflammation. Persistent dryness often leads to chronic irritation, leading to the skin breaking, as well as developing scabs and inflammation.

Hair Loss. Dry, irritated skin can be accompanied by patches of hair loss. This often results from too much scratching, chewing, or licking.

Is your dog suffering from dry skin?

Have our vets take a quick look.

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How Do Vets Diagnose the Cause of a Dog’s Dry Skin?

A physical examination is usually the start, accompanied by a thorough discussion of your dog’s medical history. We’ll check your dog’s skin for any signs, such as dandruff, flakiness, redness, and other associated symptoms.

In most cases, we’ll do additional testing, such as:

Skin Scrapings. In this test, we’ll scrape a small sample of skin cells from your dog’s skin. Our vets will examine this under a microscope to check for mites.

Allergy Testing. We may perform intradermal skin testing to check for any skin allergies your dog might have.

Bloodwork. Bloodwork can test for infection and internal health issues.

Elimination Diet. We may recommend an elimination diet trial using novel proteins. This helps us determine the specific food allergy.

Culture. This test uses a sample to determine the cause of skin infections and identify the best medications for it.

How to Cure Dry Skin on Dogs?

Curing your dog’s dry skin starts with a few home remedies that can be useful in simpler conditions. However, before doing these home remedies, it’s important to consult with our pet dermatologists to see which remedy will be the most effective solution for your dog’s case.

Home Remedies

Coconut oil is a good moisturizer for your dog’s skin. It can be easily applied to the dry patches and irritated areas of the skin to help relieve and soothe irritation.

Aside from its topical application, a small amount of coconut oil in your dog’s diet can help moisturize its skin, prevent inflammation, and fight off bacteria. Just be sure to introduce only small amounts gradually so as not to upset your dog’s stomach.

Oatmeal baths are a good way to help reduce the skin irritation and dryness your dog is experiencing. It’s also great for removing odors, helping lock in moisture, and calming dry skin.

When bathing your dog with oatmeal, make sure it takes its time to soak in the bath and get it all over its skin. From the paws all the way to its head, make sure every area is accounted for.

You can also make use of a humidifier. This device adds moisture to the air, making it easier for your dog’s skin to retain natural oils. This simple solution can make a big difference in keeping skin healthy and moisturized.

Vet Treatments

When home remedies don’t seem to be doing the job, we can proceed to more advanced techniques and specialized treatments.

The treatment options will often depend on the cause of your dog’s dry skin.

If an infection causes your dog’s dry skin, we might prescribe antibiotics and antifungals to help manage the infection. Some forms of this medication could come in medicated creams or ointments that can be easily applied to these areas.

In addition to these medications, flea and tick treatments can also be given to make sure to keep these parasites away.

When it comes to treatments you can bring at home, a good medicated shampoo can help moisturize your dog’s dry skin and treat any bacterial or fungal infections. These shampoos are formulated and designed with natural ingredients.

Vet Tips: How to Help Dogs With Dry Skin

Preventing dry skin and helping your dog with it starts by knowing what steps to take. Here are a few simple steps:

Provide Good Nutrition

The first step to ensure healthy skin for your dog is to provide good food and a healthy diet. You can either use foods that are great for keeping your dog’s skin healthy, such as kale, spinach, salmon, and chicken, or use prescription diets that can help your dog’s skin.

Just make sure to keep the amounts efficiently portioned to avoid overfeeding. Nutrients work best when they are given in just the right amount. If you’re unsure of the amount, feel free to ask for advice from us.

Groom Your Dog Regularly

Keeping your dog’s skin hydrated and moisturized starts with a good grooming routine. While we offer a dog grooming service for your best friend, we also recommend keeping them clean at home.

Use dog-friendly shampoos that don’t damage your dog’s skin so you can keep that fur shiny and that coat healthy. Don’t use human shampoos as these can strip natural oils from their skin. While grooming is important, it’s also advisable to avoid overbathing.

Keep a Clean Environment

Keep your home a great place for your dog, making sure to keep allergens away and parasites at bay. Regularly wash its bedding, mats, and other equipment it uses. We recommend using humidifiers to help keep your dog’s coat healthy and well-hydrated.

Visit the Vet Regularly

Regular vet visits are important to keep track of your dog’s health and the condition of its skin. With a quick visit, we can understand what your dog needs and recommend the best diets, treatments, and activities.

“Dry skin can get in the way of your dog’s adventures. Healthy skin leads to a happier dog."
- Dr. Paulina Czerska

Final Thoughts

While having dry skin is completely normal for dogs, it’s good that it can be easily managed and treated. With the right care and cooperation, we can help your dog have soft and healthy skin. It all starts with a good understanding to show your dog’s skin some love.