A lustrous fur coat is a very important indicator of the health status of a pet. Pets with a dry, flaking, or an unkempt coat are indicators of underlying health conditions. Such conditions include thyroid disease, Cushing’s disease, liver or kidney disease, or nutritional disorders. One of the main ways your family veterinarian assesses the health of your dog or cat is by ooking at the conditions of his/her coat and skin.

Your pet’s coat consists of thousands of hair-producing follicles. Constant environmental stress causes the hairs to be continuously shed and replaced. As any pet owner can attest to, pets can shed tremendous volumes of hair at times. Outside temperatures and hours of light affect the amount of seasonal shedding, commonly known as “blowing their coat.” Animals that spend a large amount of their time indoors under consistent temperatures and electrical lighting may shed year-round.

Your pet’s coat and skin play a very important role in their health. The skin provides a barrier that protects an animal from external objects such as chemical or environmental stressors. There is a very advanced network of nerves and sensory cells in the skin that are sensitive to heat, cold, pressure and pain. A healthy coat helps keep a pet’s temperature properly regulated by providing an insulating layer of fur. If patients are warm, their hair follicles move closer together to insulate or allow air to enter under the loose hair follicles to cool the skin. Hydration is very important in overall body health, and the skin is an important component in hydration. Water loss from the skin, often secondary to injury or abrasions, can be detrimental to the overall hydration balance in the body. Proper nutrients from an animal’s diet are very important to overall body health, and the skin serves as a storage unit for those nutrients. Proteins and amino acids are present in the skin, as are collagen fibers and enzymes. Up to 35% of a dog’s daily protein intake is used to maintain his/her skin and coat. Linoleic acid and other fatty acids are stored in the skin and are present in the phospholipid bilayer to provide flexibility and fluidity to the skin. Fatty acids such as omega 3 and 6 are very important, but in proper proportions. Too much omega-6 fatty acids can in fact be promoters of inflammation. The precursors to vitamin D are present in the skin and are converted to vitamin D by exposure to ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Minerals such as zinc, copper, selenium and manganese are also in the skin, as they help as cofactors and coenzymes, in several normal processes.

Diet plays a vital role in your pet’s coat health. Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, vitamins and minerals are essential. Omega-R fatty acids (DHA and EPA) protect the skin and keep the coat shiny. EPA helps block arachidonic acid and combat inflammation. Good sources for omega-3 fatty acids include fish and flaxseed oils. Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, is found in corn, soy and other nuts. Many pets with dry, flaking skin, discolored hair, increased shedding, and poor healing, are often deficient in linoleic acid. A proper ration of 1:1 or 3:1 is very important; otherwise inflammation is promoted and makes conditions worse. Biotin and B vitamins play important roles as cofactors in a number of normal body metabolic functions.

The key to a healthy coat is a high quality diet and proper grooming. If you are concerned about your pet’s skin coat be sure to discuss these concerns with your family veterinarian. He or she is more than happy to provide you with recommendations and further insight. A thorough physical exam is the first step to evaluate concerns for both a poor fur coat and overall body health.

[Visit https://www.facebook.com/CatskillVeterinaryServices, or www.catskillvetservices.com, or email jdabbracciodvm@icloud.com. Keep your eye out for upcoming articles on how to choose the best food and proper grooming care.]