Dog Grooming – Common Dog Skin Problems And What To Look Out For

Skin care during dog grooming is very important but being vigilant enough to identify common skin problems as and when they occur is also of the utmost importance.

In fact,  it  is  essential  because  skin  conditions  should  not  be  treated  by  you  or  a professional  groomer.  Instead,  as  soon  as  you  notice  a  condition  you  should  take your dog to see your vet in order to get the proper treatment and medication for your best friend.

There  are  numerous  ways  that  a  skin  condition  can manifest  itself. The  following represent just a few of those ways so you are able to get a good idea of what to look out for:

Dry Skin – Dry skin is a common problem for dogs of all breeds because there are a number  of  causes  of  it.  Most  are  atmospheric  causes,  but  there  are  one  or  two others that you should know about.

Firstly, the most common cause of dry skin in dogs is the temperature change during winter. Cold temperatures cause dog skin to flake just as ours does. As it is seasonal and largely down to low temperatures, you may find that using a humidifier works within the home and giving smooth coated dogs an extra coat on a walk.

If your dog’s skin does not improve when you are using a proper dog shampoo or a humidifier then you should take your dog to a vet to check whether or not there is some sort of underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Allergies – Allergies are  just as common  in dogs as  they are  in humans  today and have the same sources – foods, external environmental factors and substances that can be inhaled. All three can cause a allergic reactions in some dogs, which will manifest itself in one of several  ways  and  almost  always  appear  on  the  skin.  Rashes,  redness, hives,  itching, baldness and irritability are all common reactions and any one or a combination of them can be observed as soon as your dog has had the reaction.

The  most  common  of  all  dog  allergies  is  a  reaction  to  the  saliva  of  fleas,  which occurs after your dog has picked the little critters up and they have bitten through the skin. Dog grooming also comes  in handy because  it allows you  to notice any  fleas  that are present in your dog’s coat and get rid of them all in one sweep.

Hot Spots  – Hot spots are areas that have wounds that are moist and hot to the touch that have the ability to spread like wildfire and can make your dog’s life an absolute  misery.  They  are  effectively  areas  of  moist  dermatitis  that  are  initially caused by any one of a number of triggers. It may be fleas, an allergic reaction, poor grooming, an irritant or an infection. Whichever trigger it is leaves a small wound, which is then licked and scratched by your dog until it gets infected and thus worse. – You need your Vet’s intervention here!

Diseases And Infection – There are so many different skin diseases and infections that dogs can pick up that it is difficult to know where to start. If your dog does have a skin disease or  infection  then you  first stop should always be  the Vet because they will  be  able  to  advise  you  about  the  course  of  action  you  can  take. This  includes advice about medication and grooming practices that should be employed until your dog is better.

Another element that you need to consider is the skin care you need to employ when your dog is in the sun. All dogs can get sunburned and it is just as uncomfortable for them as  it  is  for us. Although making sure  that  they avoid  this is not strictly an area involved  in  the dog grooming process it is still essential to do it. Always  make  sure  that  your  dog  has  plenty  of  water  and  access  to shade, as well as sunscreen on. This is especially  important  in cases of white and light colored dogs that have short to medium coats.

As you can see, skin care is of vital importance for your dog. However, you should also ensure that your dog’s coat also gets more than enough attention.