How to make your dog's coat shiny and healthy

Picture this. You and your furry friend are on your daily walk, and you spot something glimmering in the distance. 

After a minute of squinting, you realise you’ve been watching a beautiful, shiny dog strutting down the street. You and your pup look longingly at this dog, wishing you knew all of its secrets. 

As dog owners, we’ve all experienced coat-envy. 

Glossy coats are a sign of good health and maintenance. And let’s face it, they also look stunning, so why wouldn’t we want our pups to look gloriously shiny? 

If you want to add some oomph to your dog's skin and coat, here are some tips you should add to your dog’s health and beauty routine.

Focus on your pup’s diet

A healthy diet is the first step to achieving a glossy coat. 

And when you think about it, this really makes sense. If your dog is nourished on the inside, they’re guaranteed to look beautiful on the outside. 

If you want your pup’s coat to be healthy and shiny, make sure that they’re eating a complete and balanced diet, tailored to their individual needs. 

However, the real key to a lustrous coat is providing your pup with a diet full of fats and proteins, as these nutrient groups are well-known to enhance skin and coat health. 

We’ll be going over some of the things you should incorporate into your dog’s diet to help its coat glimmer.

It is always recommended to discuss a diet change with your veterinarian or pet nutritionist and introduce new ingredients gradually.

Crucial parts of a dog's diet that lead to a healthy coat

Protein 

Over 90% of your dog’s coat is made from protein, so incorporating protein into your pup’s diet will give their coat the base nutrients they need to be in good condition. 

When looking for dog food, try choosing foods with animal protein and amino acids as their first ingredients.

Or, if your dog is eating a raw diet, feed it plenty of quality and lean meat.

Eggs

Eggs are another protein-rich food that you should be adding to your dog’s diet.

They are also good source of fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and linoleic acid which are important building block for a healthy coat. 

Eggs are known to strengthen hair in both humans and our furry friends, and their high nutritional profile will enhance the appearance of your dog's coat.

Omega-3 & Omega-6 fatty acids

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are essential to maintaining your pup’s coat. They keep the skin and coat hydrated, which’ll give your dog a healthy shine. 

Omega-3 restores the skin’s natural moisture, which is especially helpful for dogs with dry or itchy skin. Omega-3 also replaces any lost oils, revitalising dull skin. 

Omega-6 has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties, making it perfect for pups with wounded or itchy skin. 

For skin and coat health, dogs should get a good balance of both Omega-3 and Omega-6 at the right ratio (as too much Omega-6 could leaf to inflammation).

Commercial pet food tends to be higher in Omega-6 than in Omega-3 as Omega-3 are harder to preserve.

To help your pup get their daily dose of omegas, feed them:

• Small portions of fresh fish (eg. sardines, salmons, anchovies)
• Fish oil
• Flaxseed
• Algal Oil

Zinc

Zinc is a great mineral to feed your pup. It’s the key to maintaining:

• Healthy skin and hair
• Digestive functioning 
• Immunity

Digestion, skin health and the immune system are all linked, so supporting one of these functions will contribute to enhancing the rest of them.

Zinc can be found in fresh meat and it’s also a key ingredient in lots of dog foods, making it easy to feed to your pup.

Keep your pup hydrated

Water is super important for maintaining the overall health of your pup.

Water helps to restore moisture, vitamins and oils. This will keep your dog’s coat shiny, so make sure you’re constantly refilling your dog's water bowl. 

Supplements

Skin supplements are also a great way to maintain coat health, as they’re specifically formulated to make your dog shine.

We know it can be difficult sourcing the right supplements for your pup, but don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered.

Nectar’s Skin + Coat is the perfect way to make your pup shine from the inside out. 

It’s infused with many of the amazing ingredients we discussed earlier; Omega-3, Omega-6, Flaxseed, Zinc and a whole lot more.

This formula also contains collagen-rich Gotu Kola to enhance your pup’s skin health, and Biotin, which’ll strengthen their skin by stimulating the growth of connective tissues.

Skin + Coat is the key to a soft, hydrated coat. 

And the best part? It’s super easy to feed this great supplement to your dog. All you need to do is scoop some powder daily into your dog's food or you can also dissolve it in a bit of water for a hydrating snack. 

Pamper your pup 

After taking care of your dog's diet, you’ll need to make sure that you’re properly grooming and bathing your dog.

After all, a shiny coat needs to be maintained from the outside too.

Bathe your dog with coat-softening products 

When it comes to bath time, there are a few things you can do to make your dog’s coat soft and shiny.

Firstly, you shouldn't bathe your dog too frequently as it could actually be more detrimental and dry out their skin. As a general rule of thumb, you should be aiming for one every four to six weeks.

You should then consider the types of product you are using on your dog's skin when you bathe them. It is recommended to use a product specifically formulated for dogs - as they have slightly different skin and pH than humans.

Lookout for natural alternatives and avoid products with sulphates like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). While these ingredients are effective at removing dirt, they can also strip away the protecting oils form your pup's skin and leave the skin barrier more vulnerable.

Oatmeal is a wonderful ingredient for coat health. Oats are full of vitamin-B, and they also have soothing properties. Use an oat-based shampoo if your dog suffers from itching. 

Coconut oil is another good ingredient to give your pup’s coat a lovely sheen. Opt for shampoos with coconut oil in the ingredients list, or you can even rub a very small amount of coconut oil on your pup after their bath to lock moisture into their coat. 

Grooming

Well-groomed dogs are always the shiniest, so give your dog’s coat some extra attention.

Grooming and brushing your dog distributes their natural oils all around their coat, making them look glossier.

Grooming also removes any dirt which could be giving the coat a dull appearance. So don’t forget to groom your dog every day, as this will keep their coat glimmery and smooth. 

We all want our dogs to have the kind of coat that stops people in the street. 

However, it’s important to remember that shiny coats start from within. 

No matter how many products you’re using to maintain that external shine, if your dog isn’t getting all the nutrients it needs, its coat will never truly look its best.

So focus on all areas of your puppy’s wellbeing, as a healthy dog will shine no matter what.