Will a grain-free diet prevent my dog’s skin problems?

As more people seek to cut carbs like grains from their diet, some owners may naturally wonder if their pets would benefit from a grain-free diet as well — especially ones who suspect their pet may have a corn or wheat allergy or other dietary issue affecting their skin.However, the issue is slightly more complex than just cutting out grains. Not all grains are the same, and many are important power players for dog nutrition by delivering important vitamins, minerals, and proteins as well as carbohydrates for energy. Before eliminating all grains (or all carbs or all gluten) from your dog’s diet, talk to your vet about a food trial. This is a trusted way to discover if food ingredients are triggering a skin response and can help guide you and your vet on modifying their diet.

Does my dog need to wear a raincoat?

In most cases, the answer is no — most dogs are perfectly happy getting wet. Many pet raincoats are designed to help owners, not pets, since a slightly damp dog is much easier to towel dry than a soaking wet one.Many pets actively dislike wearing clothing. If wearing a jacket stresses your dog, it’s better to skip it — and even if they don’t mind, never leave your clothed pet unattended, since clothing can become a safety risk. Short-haired dogs, short-legged dogs, older dogs, and smaller breeds may benefit from a warm coat during winter months, however, since they may not have much fluffy insulation. It can really vary from dog to dog and climate to climate, so ask your vet what we recommend for your unique pet.

I just washed my dog and now they’re shedding more than ever!

It’s very common to see a shed-a-palooza after a bath. It can help to brush well before the bath with a fur-removing comb, and then once afterwards when dry to really get the most hair out during bath time.

Why does my dog have more dandruff after a bath?

It’s not uncommon to see more dandruff after a bath, since bathing can loosen up skin flakes as well as hair. Specks may be especially visible on dark-haired dogs.If your pet’s dandruff seems crazy excessive, check your choice of shampoo with your vet. We may be able to recommend other options or supplements to help with oils in the coat.

Why is my non-shedding dog… shedding?

Some dog breeds, like Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, and Bichon Frise, are considered to be “non-shedding.” This means that their hair continues to grow (much like human hair) instead of falling out in a regular seasonal shed. However, human hairs do fall out, and so do hairs from “non-shedding” breeds — just less often. You should still expect to see some hair in your house as well as from brushing and bathing.

How do you keep a dog's coat healthy?

Here are the basics on caring for your dog’s coat:

How can I improve my dog's skin?

Many different things can cause skin issues in dogs. It’s best to speak with your vet to find out the cause. They’ll be able to recommend or prescribe diet changes, medication, or special shampoos to help your sweet pup.

How to take care of my dog’s dry skin?

Dry skin on dogs can be caused by diet, skin infections, dry air, and more. See your veterinary team to get to the bottom of your dog’s issue. They’ll be able to recommend products, medication, and/or lifestyle changes to help.

cat skin and coat care

Allergies, parasites, and other health issues can cause skin and coat problems for cats.

Your cat’s fuzzy outside can tip you off to some common health problems. Here’s help for skin and coat concerns.

All about cat skin and coat care

Why is my pet so itchy?

Scratching can mean fleas, allergies, or infections. Find the cause

Is pet shedding normal?

Top reasons for pet shedding. Good treatments for pet shedding

Dealing with your pet's dandruff and dry skin

Tips for flaky, itchy skin on pets. Natural remedies for dandruff

Banfield's guide to skin rashes

Causes and symptoms of skin rashes. Read about rashes

Lumps, bumps, and masses

Are you seeing or feeling lumps on your pet? When to call the vet for help

How to apply skin ointment

Was your pet prescribed topical meds? Tips for topicals

Home skin and coat care

Hands-on tips for bath time, tackling fleas, and more. Take care of your pet

How to give your pet a bath

Follow our handy step-by-step instructions. It's bath time

How to check for fleas

Plus, important next steps if you find them. Check for fleas

How to find a tick on your pet

Ticks can carry nasty diseases. Spot the signs

Need petcare advice? Ping Pet Chat^™!

Whether it's 3 a.m. or 3 p.m., connect with a real veterinary professional for immediate petcare advice. It's included in all Optimum Wellness Plans^® and the Banfield Access Plan^™.

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Our mission is to provide high-quality prescription meds for the pet you love. We believe in safe, effective petcare, so we thoroughly assess every item we carry. We offer discounts on eligible products with your pet’s Optimum Wellness Plan. And you can easily schedule deliveries with our super convenient AutoShip program.

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