I was concerned about my five-year-old Maltese, Heidi, because her skin seemed dry and flaky, and her coat did not seem as full and silky as usual. Initially, I was not that troubled much for I thought it was just because of the dryness in the house during the winter months. But it never cleared up. Actually, it even got worse. Pet Pain Relief

Each evening, when we went through our usual routine of snuggling together while I watched the evening news, it seemed like she was jumping off my lap every few minutes to scratch and, as soon as she got settled down, she would respond to yet another itch. When your baby is suffering in pain, it is really difficult to get a full-night’s sleep.

When I mentioned Heidi’s irritation to our veterinarian, Dr. Ava Frick, at Heidi’s appointment, she asked if I might possibly be bathing Heidi too often or using the wrong shampoo. Although both are common reasons for a dog to incur skin irritation, but I use a very mild shampoo and do not bathe Heidi that often.

As I am diligent about preventing fleas from ever becoming a problem, it is out of the question. She only goes outside to play for a bit each day and to relieve herself, and I am careful to have the yard treated in order to prevent fleas.

Having those possibilities ruled out, Dr. Frick and I had an interesting discussion regarding how essential fatty acids are necessary to a dog’s healthy coat. I was worried about the possibility of Heidi having some sort of deficiency in her diet, although I thought I was making the best choices when purchasing her food and treats.

I found out that healthy fats play a vital role in keeping a dog’s coat in good condition. You cannot get the proper nutrients that will support healthy skin and coat from low-quality commercial dog food. Improperly balanced homemade dog foods often lack proper nutrition, as well.

Omega-3 is also beneficial for a dog’s skin because of its anti-inflammatory effects. They are good aids for dogs suffering from allergies or other inflammatory skin diseases. They are great since they can also lessen itchiness as most dogs irritate their skin by excessive scratching.

Dr. Frick provided some changes to Heidi’s diet, which includes addition of supplements. She said that I should start to see some improvement in Heidi’s skin and coat within about six weeks of starting Omega-3 supplementation, and she was exactly right.

My dog’s skin and coat are prettier than ever. Best of all, Heidi no longer deals with irritation that led her to excessive scratching. Pet Chiropractic

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