What shall I do when my dog keeps scratching its dry skin?

It's a question we're often asked and this week's guest post is from a person who has found a solution in Omega 3 and 6 articles.

I had been having problems with my dog scratching herself and her skin being quite dry; I could tell it was affecting her when she would rub against furniture to relieve the itching. She is a cocker-spaniel and her moulting was never more than is to be expected but over winter I noticed the condition of her coat had worsened. I noticed my dog’s dry skin when I could see actual flakes like dandruff and roughened patches beneath the hair in her coat.

I tried many shampoos and conditioning treatments as well as keeping up with her normal grooming regime but things were not improving. My vet recommended that I make changes to her diet in the way of adding supplements instead of just treating the skin from the outside. He explained that over winter months the central heating we have in our homes as well as hormone changes (particularly in bitches) can dry the skin out much in the same way it would to a human.

I didn't realise a dog's skin could be so delicate and the use of shampoos can dry their skin out but of course you cannot stop bathing your dog if they are dirty or need washing. I took his advice and bought some dog supplements to give her, which are full of extra nutrients and oils to replenish those lost in the dog's skin. It is mostly Omega oils that are essential in keeping the skin and coat healthy and you may not find enough of these oils in normal dog foods.

The Omega 3 and 6 my dog was getting in the supplements greatly improved her skin, it was only about 3 weeks before I noticed how much healthier she looked. They work to keep it supple and moisturised, eliminating dry patches and the scratching that was driving her wild! I would recommend using supplements all year round as protection against not only heat-induced dryness (from central heating for example) but shampoos and other irritants that can make your dog's skin dry and irritated.