Pitbull Coat Care – Dog Coat Problems and How to Deal with It

A dry and scaly Pitty coat? Due to their thin fur, Pitbulls are prone to various skin issues. Not to mention their heightened susceptibility to allergies, Pitbull coat care can be a challenge. It’s important that you keep their coat and skin in prime condition to dodge health issues that can be very expensive to treat. One good way to do this is to supplement with Omega-3. Check these options:

FISH OIL	PRODUCT NAME	EXPERT RATING	PRICE
	Zesty Paws Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil		Check Price
	Amazing Nutritionals Chewable Omega-3 Tablets		Check Price

Skin problems are some of the leading health concerns among Pitbulls. Most often, this is due to contact allergy from substances they encounter daily. It can be pollens, grass, dust, and other harsh chemicals. As you know Pitties are energetic and they will spend much of their time exploring when you leave them outdoors.

A lackluster coat paired with a dry and scaly skin should send you looking for remedies. Of course, the unbeatable solution is to consult the vet. But for those living in remote areas with limited access to such services, you need to be equipped with a home remedy.

Causes of poor coat

When it comes to poor coat, the reasons can be hard to guess without proper diagnosis. It can be as simple as contact allergies or as complicated as digestive issues. A dog’s coat says a lot about this health, but if you misdiagnose and mistreat it, you’re aggravating your pet’s situation.

Food allergies are some of the most common causes of a poor coat. If not treated early, the allergic reaction will grow worse in every meal. Remember, the longer your dog gets exposed to the allergen, the more intense the effect would be. It can come to the point that the simple allergy will impose a direct threat to your dog’s life.

Sometimes, your Pitty may lack enough Omega-3 fatty acids which result in a dull and dry coat. This can be easily fixed with a diet change or a supplementation.

Another possible cause is ticks and fleas. This can happen to all dog breeds. When the parasites bite, the dog scratches as an effort to soothe the irritated skin and to get rid of the irritant. If this lingers, your pooch will have bleeding scabs and unsightly wounds.

Aside from the external factors, dry and flaky skin can also be red flags to a more serious health concern. A poor coat can be due to an immunodeficiency or a hereditary condition.

This isn’t meant to make you paranoid. Whatever the cause is, it’s important to treat it with the same caution. Knowing how to make your Pitbull coat shiny starts by diagnosing the problem properly.

Health issues related to poor coat

There are times when your Pitbull’s dry coat isn’t the only problem. Nutrient deficiencies and lingering illnesses can lead to more issues like the following:

Lingering wounds. When your skin feels itchy, you scratch it incessantly, right? The same goes for your dog. Since they have sharp nails, they will soon develop wounds. And when that wound becomes infected, it will become more unbearably itchy. The cycle goes on until the infection becomes a full-blown health threat.

Ear infections. Whenever the skin of a Pitty encounters problems, there’s a high chance that the ears will become infected too. The skin on the inner parts of the ear will become inflamed and irritated.

Painful joints. The lack of enough Omega-3 fatty acids will also lead to poor joint health. This fatty acid is responsible for the maintenance of the joint. When it runs out, your pooch will suffer immensely.

Hair loss. In the case of worse coat condition, intense shedding will take place. Although it’s normal for some dogs to shed all year round, you should be worried when he starts getting bald spots.

Weak immune system. It’s not safe to always dismiss poor coat as a mere lack of fatty acids. Sometimes, it’s a tell-tale sign that your dog’s immune system is crumbling. You should seek the help of a vet in this case.

Caveats about feeding fish

When it comes to Omega-3 deficiency, the common notion of pet owners is to feed their Pitty with more fish to compensate. This is a good idea, though, but I personally have some caveats when it comes to big fishes as part of Pitbull coat care.

Big fishes like tuna and oarfish are on the higher ranks of the food chain. This means they eat smaller species. With that, the toxins the smaller fishes ingested will pile up inside the big fishes’ bodies. To make it short, this isn’t the healthiest option for your doggo.

Start with the smaller types: anchovies, salmon, sardine, and so on.

As a quick note: anchovies have one of the highest Omega-3 content among fish species.

If you’re preparing homemade Pitbull food, you might as well add this up.

Remember that the right Omega-3 source will make a positive difference. If you can’t feed your Pitbull actual fish, there are Omega-3 supplements I’ve reviewed below.

What to do with a Pitbull’s poor coat?

The number one advice I’ll give you at this point is to stop panicking. Also, don’t try using crazy home remedies like applying lotion to your Pitty’s coat. Here, I’ve come up with a list of solutions on how to make your Pitbull coat shiny.

NOTE: If the poor coat persists or if your dog’s condition is beyond the power of home remedies, seek the help of a veterinarian.

➕Bathing

When Pitbulls go outside, they chew, sniff, and roll into things. This is where their skin comes in contact with tons of irritants. When bathing, make sure that you use the right shampoo. Pitbulls can be bathed once a month. Make sure that you stick to a schedule that works for your doggo and their physical condition.

Always use all-natural shampoo and conditioner. When your dog’s skin is irritated, you must avoid any synthetic chemicals that can worsen the situation. Personally, I stir clear of dog shampoos with artificial fragrances and color. Also, never ever use human shampoo for Pitbull coat care. It’s a mortal sin to dog grooming.

➕Brushing

Even if you’re not bathing your Pitbull, it’s important to brush their coat daily. Yes, it won’t have tangles, but it can harbor irritants that could have been removed if you just brushed it away. Brushing allows you to run a quick check on your dog’s coat. Look for possible scabs and bald spots. If you spot early signs of poor coat health, act fast and seek remedies.

Brushing your Pitty’s coat also stimulates the production of natural sebum that will keep the skin healthy. The process of brushing also removes dead hair and skin that could block the pores. You can use coat conditioners specifically formulated for thin-coated breeds.

➕Supplementation

In case the problem is internal, you should treat it from within. With the clearance from your veterinarian, you can supplement Omega-3 tablets or drops to your pooch’s meals. There are commercially available Omega-3 supplements that you can purchase for your dog. Again, opt for natural options as a way on how to make your Pitbull coat shiny.

Remember that your dog’s food might also contain traces of Omega-3 and Omega-6. When buying a supplement, always look for formulas with a higher Omega-3 consistency. Omega-6 is present in many dog food products. A surplus isn’t needed.

➕Medical attention

It’s important to put in context here that some coat and skin issues among Pitbulls can be hereditary and incurable. One rare condition called ichthyosis causes a Pitbull’s skin to be very scaly and dry. The skin will soon become thick and the paws will appear swollen. This is commonly seen on terrier and cross breeds like Pitties.

This and other conditions require professional medical attention. Since ichthyosis doesn’t have a cure, vets can advise on how to manage it at home.

Supplementing with Omega-3

Whatever the condition is, Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial nutrients to keep your Pitbull’s coat healthy. All dogs need this fatty acid to grow healthier fur and to have stronger joints. It’s also effective in soothing coat issues due to allergies. The only rule of thumb here is to keep it all-natural to avoid any toxins.

Remember, however, that no matter how you supplement with Omega-3, you should also check the food you’re serving. These might have allergens that will sabotage the positive effects of the supplement. If you have doubts, the opinion of your vet will be your voice of reason.

If you’re looking for Omega-3 supplements, I’ve personally fed these two picks to my Pitties and their coats have been lustrous and healthy since then. Pair with proper grooming and diet, these two supplements will be total gems for Pitbull coat care:

Zesty Paws Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil

The Zesty Paws Salmon Oil is so far the easiest supplement to feed my Pitbull. Since it’s in oil form, I simply mix a few drops to his meal. It provides added flavor, thanks to its authentic salmon taste. This oil supports coat, joint, and immune system health. Always follow the serving instructions on the bottle’s label. Too much Omega-3 can result in poor Vitamin E absorption among dogs.

Aside from Omega-3, this has the right balance of Omega-6, EPA, and DHA. Another thing I love about this fish oil is it’s packed in a pump bottle. No more mess when mixing it with food. And if you’re not satisfied, Zesty Paws offers a no-questions-asked refund. This is added peace of mind even if the fish oil is a bit expensive than other options.

This oil is extracted from Alaskan Salmon which appeals to the taste buds as much as it works in repairing poor coat. In fact, in just a month, my Pitbull’s coat color has grown deeper which is close to its normal shade. The scabs are also growing smaller over time. This is definitely helpful as to how to make your Pitbull coat shiny.

Amazing Nutritionals Chewable Omega-3 Tablets

Not a fan of fish oils? You can try giving your Pitty these chewable Omega-3 tablets. You can use it as a three-time treat per day or you can put it on his meal. Either way, it worked for my Pitbull pup and has done a good job in keeping his coat shiny and free of scabs.

This is basically made of fish oil, sunflower oil, and evening primrose oil. It also has pork liver, whey, and calcium. It bears a bacon flavor to make it more appealing to finicky dogs.

It’s obvious that you can opt for fish oil if you want to get a pure source. However, the biggest advantage with this chewable tablet is the no-spill, no-mess, and no-measuring form. Just pop a tablet on your dog’s food and you’re golden. Each bottle contains 120 tablets that will last for more than one month.

Avoid going beyond the recommended dose to prevent any absorption problems.

Other alternative solutions

Aside from Omega-3 supplements, there are other natural supplements you can give to your Pitbull. You can try adding kelp to his diet. This seaweed helps improve coat pigmentation and skin health. Deep ocean kelp is by far the best option. It’s rich in vitamin and minerals that support overall wellness.

If you want to increase the benefits of Omega-3, I personally recommend that you pair it with a Vitamin E supplement. Make sure that you have the right balance so the two nutrients won’t counteract each other.

Before you change your dog’s diet, make sure that you consult a vet or a pet nutritionist. As much as Omega-3 and other vitamins are helpful, it pays to be careful.

Pitbull coat care can be tricky, but with the help of experts, it shouldn’t be a daunting part of pawrenthood. Mastering the basics of grooming and supplementing should serve its purpose.