Dog dry skin: why it happens and 5 ways to help
It’s cold, muddy and wet - but your dog’s skin and coat are dry and itchy. Why is winter bad for your dog's skin, and how can you help?
Dry, itchy skin in dogs can be down to dry indoor air, cold and wet weather, bathing too often, or a diet short on essential fatty acids. It is more common in winter, when heating dries the air out, and many cases improve with more humidity, fewer baths and the right fatty acids in the diet. But dry, itchy skin can also point to something else, such as allergies, parasites or an underlying skin condition, so it is worth speaking to your vet if you are unsure. Scratching that breaks the skin, or flaking that lasts beyond two or three weeks, always needs a vet.
Why do dogs get dry skin in winter?
The cold weather, heating and a lack of outdoor time take the biggest toll on our dog’s skin and coat. Here are the 4 biggest reasons your pooch might have dry, flaky skin this winter.
Cold weather
It’s horrible out there. Cold, rainy and windy. And let’s not even start on the snow! Agh! Repeated exposure to wet, cold weather can cause your dog’s skin to dry out, even on their paws. Watch out for flaky skin, and dry, cracked pads. Ouch!
Dry air
We tend to whack up the heating when the temperature drops, and here our heating systems are awful for skin. Have you noticed your own skin feels tigher when the heating goes on? It’s the same for our pets.
Plus, constantly moving from the cold outdoors to the warm house adds stress to our pets already dry skin.
Indoor allergens
If your dog is the sensitive type, with skin or food allergies, the reduced time outdoors means they’re exposed to more indoor allergens, which could be causing skin issues. Dust mites, cleaning chemical residues and air fresheners can all irritate your dog’s skin and may even result in allergy flare-ups.
Bathing routine
Winter weather means wet, muddy dogs-not usually a welcome sight dripping water and leaving paw prints on your clean floors. And oooh, eau de wet dog…not the cosy winter scent you want pervading through your home.
So, we tend to bathe our dogs more in the winter months, which can dry out their skin, causing it to be flaky, dry and itchy.
Keep an eye on the shampoos and other products you are using too. These can strip your dog of their skin’s natural, protective oils.
As for the wet dog smell….more regular baths can actually make that worse! Pooweee!
So, how can we help our dog’s skin during the colder months? Can we avoid them feeling dry and uncomfortable?
Dry skin or something else? How to tell
Scratching is the symptom owners notice first, but it does not always mean dry skin. The pattern usually tells you which it is.
Dry skin tends to show as visible flakes, dull coat, a general low-level itch spread across the body, and skin that looks tight rather than red.
An allergy tends to concentrate: paws being licked raw, ears, belly, armpits and the base of the tail. The skin often looks pink or inflamed rather than flaky, and the scratching is more intense.
Parasites tend to concentrate too, usually around the rump and tail base for fleas, or the ear edges and elbows for mites. Look for black specks in the coat that turn red on a damp tissue.
If the itch is intense, localised or breaking the skin, treat it as an allergy or a parasite question for your vet rather than a dry skin one.
There are a few things you can do to support your dog’s skin health this winter…
1. Keep your dog hydrated
Make sure they have access to plenty of fresh water, as dehydration can exacerbate the symptoms associated with dry skin. If they’re not a big drinker, think about adding a little slurp to their dinner, or getting a dog water fountain.
2. Increase the humidity in your home
Dry air from your heating causes your dog's skin to dry out, leading to dry skin and a dull-looking coat. Add a humidifier to your home to see improved skin hydration for you and your dog! Or, add some pet-safe houseplants for less drying air.
3. Give your dog a high-quality skin, joint and wellness supplement
Nourish your dog’s skin from the inside with a high-quality wellness supplement containing omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and other essential fatty acids. Antinol supports your dog’s natural skin health from the inside out.
4. Reduce bathing
We know they get wet and muddy, but try not to bathe your dog too often, especially if you’re using shampoo. Regular bathing dries out your dog’s skin, and the products can strip it of its natural oils.
5. Coats and jumpers
Some breeds of dogs, especially those with thin coats or sensitive skin, need more protection against the elements. Find a comfy, practical coat or jumper that fits your dog, to protect them when they’re out and about this winter.
Paws and pads in cold weather
Pads dry and crack in winter faster than the rest of the skin, because they take the direct contact with cold ground, wet mud and grit.
Rinse and dry the paws after walks on gritted pavements. Rock salt is an irritant on cracked pads and is harmful if licked off.
Check between the toes as well as underneath, where mud and salt collect and stay damp.
A pet-safe paw balm helps on pads that are already cracking. Skip anything intended for human use.
Keep the fur between the pads trimmed on hairy-footed breeds. It holds snow, mud and salt against the skin.
And above all, look forward to the weather warming up, and imagine the sunny days ahead…ahhh. 😎
Too cold for walkies? Check out 5 ways to exercise your dog in winter
Building a routine? Our dog joint supplements are a simple place to start.
Frequently asked questions
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Why is my dog's skin so dry and flaky?
Most often dry indoor air from central heating, repeated exposure to cold and wet weather, bathing too often or with the wrong shampoo, or a diet low in essential fatty acids.
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How can I treat my dog's dry skin at home?
Raise the humidity indoors, cut back on baths and use a dog-specific gentle shampoo when you do bathe, make sure fresh water is always available, and check the diet supplies omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
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How often should I bathe a dog with dry skin?
Less often than you probably are. For most dogs once every four to six weeks is plenty, and muddy paws can be rinsed without a full bath. Frequent shampooing strips the coat's protective oils.
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Is my dog itching because of dry skin or an allergy?
Dry skin usually brings visible flakes and a general itch across the body. An allergy usually concentrates on paws, ears, belly and the base of the tail, with skin that looks pink or inflamed rather than flaky.
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Can a supplement help my dog's skin?
Skin needs essential fatty acids to hold moisture and keep its barrier working. A supplement supplying omega 3 and 6 supports skin and coat health alongside diet, humidity and grooming rather than instead of them.
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Why are my dog's paw pads cracked in winter?
Pads take the direct contact with cold ground, wet mud and gritting salt, all of which dry them out. Rinse and dry paws after walks, check between the toes, and use a pet-safe balm on pads that are already cracking.
