Coat supplements for dogs keep their skin and coats looking and feeling great. There are several reasons why owners buy coat supplements for their dogs. But with so many out there, it can be hard to know which one is best for you.
Let us take out the hard work by listing the best coat supplements for dogs currently on the market. Keep reading for everything you need to know including answers to common questions buyers have about supplements for dog fur!
11 Best Coat Supplements For Dogs
1. Pawfy Skin and Coat Dog Supplement
- natural antihistamine relieves allergy symptoms
- prevents hair loss, hot spots, scabs and itching
- antibacterial properties help protect the skin
- more wagging, less scratching
If your number one priority is keeping your dog’s skin healthy and itch-free and its coat lustrous and smooth, the Pawfy Skin and Coat Dog Supplement will do just that. Some dogs are more prone to skin allergies than others. Therefore, to prevent them from having flaky, bumpy, and coarse skin and coat, you need to give them an omega-fatty acid-rich supplement.
This dog supplement has three beneficial oils, salmon oil, primrose oil, and sunflower oil, which is also rich in vitamin E that improves the skin’s appearance and the smoothness of the coat. Additionally, it contains organic turmeric, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
With these natural ingredients, this supplement will keep your dog’s hair from balding, skin irritation, and uncontrolled itching. Pawfy Skin and Coat Supplement also offers natural allergy relief using an antihistamine safe for your furry friend. Therefore, it will prevent your dog from scratching its skin over and over. The customers also mentioned in their reviews that when they gave the treat daily, their dogs’ skin improved in just a couple of days.
Pros
- Made with all-natural ingredients safe for dogs
- It has no fillers, which can save your dog from digestive problems
- You can save more money by buying multiple jars (as low as $20/jar)
- All products and ingredients are sourced from the USA
- It has antibacterial properties that help protect the skin
- It controls shedding and prevents scabs
Cons
- It is not proven safe for pregnant dogs
- Some dogs do not like the vegetarian chicken taste
- It is not yet available in other flavors
2. Natural Vet Care Dog’Skin Supplement
Natural Vet‘s Dog’Skin supplements contain a blend of Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, sea algae extracts, skin nutrients, and antioxidants that nourish the skin, coat, and nails, and soothe and repair itchy, sensitive, and damaged skin. The supplement also helps to balance the immune system to protect against allergens and aids digestive health.
They come in the form of tasty pellets that can be mixed into your dog’s daily meals and the product is available to buy in three pack sizes; 75g, 150g, and 300g. They are suitable for all dogs and reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with many buyers calling the product great value for money.
3. Chew + Heal Omega Treats for Skin and Coat
Chew + Heal‘s salmon oil supplement contains fatty acids that are derived from salmon oil, fish oil, walnuts, flax, and hemp seed that support healthy skin and fur by working at the cellular level to support the body’s natural defenses.
This anti-itch for dogs supplement will not only soften your pet’s skin but will also give a glossy shine and help prevent allergic reactions. Apart from these benefits, this supplement can reduce dandruff and itchy skin, helping make your dog feel more comfortable.
4. YuMove YuDERM Boost
Another YuMove product, YuDERM Boost is a powder supplement that provides vital nutrients that specifically promote hair and nail growth, as well as good skin health. It comes in 91g tubs that contain 180 scoops, and it’s suitable for all dog breeds. It’s available to buy in single tubs and in packs of 3 and 6 tubs. YuDERM is an Amazon’s Choice product and it has almost no bad reviews. Many buyers say it’s great for fussy eaters.
5. PetNC Natural Care Skin and Coat for Dogs
These soft chew supplements by PetNC are another Amazon’s Choice product. The tasty, liver-flavored chews come lab-tested and formulated by vets. They support a super glossy coat and healthy skin, with human-grade ingredients like fish oil and green tea extract.
They come in tubs of 60 chews and are suitable for all breeds. They’re also made in the USA and reviews call them a must-have.
6. Fur Goodness Sake Skin and Coat Supplement for Dogs
Fur Goodness Sake‘s yummy soft chew supplements are chicken and bacon-flavored and easy to digest. They contain Omega-3, Omega-6, EPA, DHA, flaxseed, and salmon oil specifically formulated for skin and coat support. They’re completely free of filler ingredients and GMOs and also contribute to healthy heart function.
One tub contains 90 chews that have been made in the USA. They’re suitable for all breeds and several reviewers comment on the significant difference they have seen in their dog’s coat since using the product.
7. Natural Dog Company Skin & Coat Chews
The Natural Dog Company‘s skin and coat chews are formulated to help maintain your dog’s fur smooth and shiny, protect your pup from any skin irritation, relieve dryness and itchiness.
Additionally, this skin and coat supplement is jam-packed with nutrients that fight allergy symptoms to keep your dogs comfortable and itch-free.
The chewable contains essential vitamins and minerals like biotin, vitamin C, and vitamin E. It also has DHA Gold, omega-3, and wild Alaskan salmon oil. Reviews call it fantastic value for money.
8. Vet’s Best Healthy Coat Shed & Itch Relief Dog Supplements
These plant-based hard tablets by Vet’s Best come in bottles of 50 and are made with Omega-3 fatty acids, yellow dock root, quercetin, and MSM, a strong anti-inflammatory, to improve and maintain skin and coat health. They’re formulated by vets and are made with heavy shedders and itchy dogs in mind.
They’re suitable for all adult dogs and reviews are positive. Many buyers note that the supplements work quickly and others mention a significant reduction in shedding.
9. Solid Gold SeaMeal Kelp-Based Supplement for Skin & Coat For Dogs & Cats
Solid Gold has been helping pets with their holistic health products for over 40 years. And this kelp-based powder coat supplement is no exception! It contains three different types of seaweed, flaxseed, and digestive enzymes, providing all-natural support for immune systems and skin, coat, and digestive health, with a particular focus on locking moisture into the skin.
It’s suitable for both dogs and cats, making it an ideal product for owners of multiple pets. One tub contains 1 lb of powder and reviews cannot rate it highly enough.
10. Zesty Paws Skin Health Salmon Bites
One tub of Zesty Paws’ tasty salmon bites for dogs contains 90 soft chews. They’re made with biotin, DHAgold, and wild Alaskan salmon oil that is rich in Omega fatty acids for normal skin moisture and coat, antioxidant, and immune system support. They’re also free from fillers and harmful ingredients. Reviews call the product “magical” and “life-saving”.
11. Zesty Paws Skin Health Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats
Another Zesty Paws product, this super tasty meal-topping salmon oil is an all-natural supplement that works for both dogs and cats. It comes in 16 fl oz bottles and is packed with skin and coat improving nutrients such as Omega-3s and Omega-6s from the finest high-grade EPA and DHA.
It’s also GMP certified and reviews are highly complementary. Buyers especially love that it works with both cats and dogs, saying it’s super useful for owners of multiple pets.
What Are Coat Supplements For Dogs?
Coat supplements for dogs are dietary additives that enhance the health of a dog’s coat and skin (on top of their regular grooming routine). They contain natural anti-inflammatories that soothe sensitive or inflamed skin and ingredients that nourish and moisturize the skin and coat. There are also supplements that encourage hair growth for dogs who suffer from hair loss and encourage the repair of damaged skin.
Key ingredients to look out for include:
- Zinc – Improves sensitive, dry, and irritated skin
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats – Nourishes fur and encourages growth
- Vitamin E – Moisturizes and softens the coat, adds shine, has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces sun damage
- Biotin – Known to stimulate hair growth and improve skin conditions
Why Use a Dog Coat Supplement?
Owners give their dogs coat supplements for numerous reasons. They may have issues with their skin and fur that need a little extra help, or, owners might just want to make their dogs’ coats as soft, shiny, and beautiful as possible! Dull, brittle hair, hair loss, excessive shedding, and flaky, dry, or itchy skin are common complaints from owners, and owners of show dogs will do whatever they can to keep their pooches looking pristine.
Dogs can have coat and skin issues for several reasons including nutritional deficiencies, allergies, hormonal imbalances, genetics, alopecia, and parasites.
Trauma and so-called ‘pressure sores‘ from lying on hard floors can also cause hair loss and damaged skin in localized areas. Dog anxiety can cause hair loss and skin irritation from stress and excessive self-soothing behaviors like scratching.
Dogs with underlying issues should be treated accordingly, but those with long-term conditions or naturally dull coats might just need an extra boost to nourish their fur, and supplements are the perfect way to do that!
Types Of Coat Supplements For Dogs
Supplements for dogs come in a few different forms. The majority of them come as tablets or tasty treat-like chews that can be mixed in with/crushed up into daily meals or given as treats.
For fussy eaters, there are also liquids and powders that can be mixed into food. There are supplements that are suitable for dogs and cats, and dog-specific supplements too.
Which One Is Best For Me?
First of all, consider your dog’s needs. Look for a supplement that does what you need it to do. For example, if you want a supplement for hair growth, look for something containing biotin. You should also avoid anything that contains unhealthy filler ingredients such as grains and artificial additives. It may sound counterproductive, but a lot of pet products contain these things because it makes them cheaper to manufacture. You can also seek out products that contain organic, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly ingredients and materials if that is important to you.
Secondly, consider your dog’s personality. If your dog is a fussy eater, it’s best to look for something that can either be concealed or eaten with ease. Lastly, what is easiest for you? If you have dogs and cats, a generic pet supplement may be a simpler and more cost-effective option, but you will have to figure out the correct dosage for each pet based on their size. If you only have one dog, a species-specific one may be the better choice.
How To Give My Dog a Supplement?
If you’re worried about your dog’s coat or skin health, speak to your vet before trying a supplement. Ask for their recommendations or try a product that comes backed by official bodies and reviews online.
Always read the dosage instructions on the packaging of a supplement product. It will tell you how many tablets or how much liquid/powder to give to your dog every day according to their weight. When starting or switching supplements, it’s best to start with half the recommended dosage for the first few days before giving them the full dose, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach, just in case it overwhelms their body or causes a reaction.
Remember to keep up with your dog’s supplement once you’ve started it or you won’t see the desired results.
Dog Coat Supplementation: FAQ
Grooming your dog’s coat is essential for their overall health and hygiene. Coat supplements should never be used instead of a grooming routine, but to enhance it. Grooming your dog’s coat should involve brushing, bathing, and haircuts if necessary.
Brushing removes loose fur and debris, prevents matting, and ensures your dog’s skin can breathe. Bathing removes dirt and bacteria, and haircuts prevent matting, bad hygiene, health hazards, and overheating in dogs with long and/or heavily textured fur.
Dogs with thinner, shorter, less textured coats usually need brushing once a week. Dogs with longer, thicker, curlier coats can need brushing as often as once a day to untangle fur and prevent matting, which can lead to infections and mask other conditions.
It’s important not to bathe your dog too often so as to not strip its fur of its natural self-cleaning oils, but you should also not allow dirt and oils to build up, as this can create bad hygiene, bad smells, and even infection. Most dogs only need baths a few times a year or when they are dirty. However, those with thick curls or cords can need baths as regularly as once a month as their coats trap dirt more easily.
Haircuts and clipping are not necessary for all dogs. Breeds that need regular trims are those with textured fur that are prone to matting. They usually need monthly or twice a month haircuts to prevent matting once they are fully grown. That said, dogs with thinner coats may still require the occasional trim for hygiene reasons, for example, around the back end.
The most common reasons for hair loss in dogs are allergies and parasite infestations. Other symptoms of allergies in dogs include itchiness, hives, and swelling of facial features. Allergies can be treated with antihistamines if the cause of the reaction can’t be eliminated from their lives.
Other symptoms of parasitic infestations include distended bellies, stomach upsets, and weight loss. Parasites are easily cleared up with antiparasitic medications. Both antihistamines and antiparasitics can be prescribed by a vet or bought over-the-counter.
Hair loss can also be caused by trauma to the affected area, ‘pressure sores‘ from lying on hard floors, anxiety, alopecia, and genetics. Some breeds (such as the Doberman Pinscher and Dachshund) are more genetically prone to balding than others. Alopecia (clinical hair loss or baldness) can have many different causes, but it’s usually purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect a dog’s health. Long-term health issues that can result in hair loss include Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism, both of which affect a dog’s hormones.
Common allergens for dogs include pollen, plants, fleas, garden products, household dust, household cleaning products, topical agents, certain materials, medications, and foods. Talk to your vet about doing allergy tests if you suspect your dog of having an allergy.
The most common causes of dry skin in dogs are allergies and hormonal imbalances. Hormonal imbalances such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease are both long-term illnesses that affect a dog’s entire body, including the condition of its skin.
Neither can be cured but both can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include unexplained weight gain and lethargy. Other symptoms of Cushing’s includes increased thirst and urination. The majority of the time, as long as they are treated, neither condition should impact a dog’s length or quality of life.
A dull coat in dogs is most often a symptom of nutritional deficiencies, but it can also be a sign of hormonal imbalances and allergies. Nutritional deficiencies in dogs often happen when they are fed low-quality commercial dog foods over time. To prevent/combat nutritional deficiencies, always give your dog nutritionally complete and balanced kibble, high-quality lean protein sources such as chicken and fish, and dog-safe fruits and vegetables.
Those are the ten best coat supplements for dogs. Remember, coat supplements are not a replacement for regular grooming. They are the cherry on top of a good grooming routine! Do you have any doggie skin or coat care tips to share? Let us know in the comments down below.