Dry Skin on Dogs in Plymouth Meeting, PA: What Does it Mean?

Does your dog have dry or flaky skin? Are you looking for ways to help him feel better? Would you like to know what might be causing this condition in your pet?

Dry skin in dogs is a common problem, but it has a wide variety of potential underlying causes. It’s important to figure out what the cause of your dog’s dry skin might be so you can better determine what to do to help him.

As always, speak with your veterinarian in Plymouth Meeting, PA if you have any concerns about your pet’s health or wellbeing.

6 Causes of Dry Skin on Dogs in Plymouth Meeting, PA

Some common causes of dry dog skin include, but aren’t limited to:

Contact Allergies

Some dogs may have contact allergies, or dermatitis, just like humans sometimes do. This means that if your dog comes into contact with an allergen, his skin may become aggravated because of it. This can cause dryness, flaking, itching, and hives, among other skin conditions.

If your dog frequently has bouts of contact allergies, consider where he’s spending his time both inside and out. You might need to change the detergent you use on his bedding or keep him away from certain plants in the yard that could be making his contact allergies worse over time.

Food Allergies

Food allergies are perhaps the most common cause of dry skin and flakiness in dogs. Food allergies contribute a lot to poor coat and skin health in animals, so if your dog is dealing with dandruff or other dry skin symptoms, consider his food first of all. If you’re feeding him low-quality food or if you think there’s any chance he could have an allergy to an ingredient in his food, try him on something else.

Your vet in Plymouth Meeting can help you figure out which ingredients might be causing problems for your dog and can recommend good quality foods as well.

Yeast Infection

Yeast infection is most common in a dog’s ears, but it can occur anywhere on a dog’s skin as well. If your dog’s dry skin is in and around his ears, this is a good sign he’s dealing with yeast infection and needs to get on a medication to treat it.

Your vet will likely take a swab of the inside of your dog’s ears to treat this condition. From there, your pet may be given oral medication, ear drops, or both, depending on the severity and type of yeast infection he’s dealing with. This problem can be easily cleared up with a vet’s help.

Ringworm

Ringworm is not a worm at all, but is in fact a type of fungus. It causes large splotches or ring-like sores on a dog’s skin, which usually cause the fur to fall off around them. If your dog has sores like these, there’s a good chance ringworm is the cause of his skin problems.

Although ringworm looks unpleasant, it’s easy to treat with an antifungal medication from the vet. Be careful to wash your dog’s bedding and other items, however, as ringworm can easily be spread to the human members of the family before the medication can kick in and treat the problem.

Mites and Fleas

Both mites and fleas can cause dry, flaky skin in dogs, among other skin conditions. If your dog is itching excessively and looks like he might have dandruff, take a closer look. There’s a chance what you see as dandruff is actually fleas or mites, and your dog will need medication if so.

You can prevent the risk of both of these problems by keeping your dog on a good quality flea preventative. Your vet can give you more information about which flea medications are best for your furry friend.

Hot Spots

In most cases, hot spots create moist sores, not dry and flaky ones. However, if your dog has a sore which looks like it’s in the process of healing and it has developed a scabbed-over, dry appearance, this could mean he had a hot spot that is starting to go away.

Hot spots get worse every time they get moist, so they can be tough to clear up. Most dogs are unwilling to leave their hot spots alone without the help of a cone collar to stop them from licking or chewing.

Talk with a Veterinarian about Your Dog’s Dry Skin in Plymouth Meeting, PA

As you can see, there are plenty of potential contributing factors that may lead to dry skin in dogs. Some of these are a lot more serious than others, but they all require some form of management or treatment to help your dog get over them.

By working with a trusted vet who knows and understands your dog, you’ll be able to help your furry friend get back to his usual self in no time, no matter what the cause of his dry skin might be. At The Village Vets in Plymouth Meeting, your pet’s health and comfort are always our top priorities. Whether your dog’s dry skin is a result of allergies or something a bit more severe, we’ll find the underlying cause and work with you on developing the best course of treatment for your pet.

Schedule an appointment with our experienced team by calling us at (484) 820-1700 or making an appointment online.