One of the biggest joys of having a pet is, well, petting him! And there’s nothing better than running your hands over a soft, shiny coat that looks and feels healthy. Whether your dog or cat has long or short hair, there are a few important things you can do to help him maintain luscious locks. Much like humans, our pets’ hair is one outward indicator of how healthy we are on the inside. Here are a few tips for making sure your pet looks – and feels – his best!
Choose a High-Quality Diet
There are places to save money, and things you should splurge on, and your pet’s food is one thing you should spend a little extra to buy. With packaged pet food, you do get what you pay for; the lower the price, the more likely the diet is to contain fillers and chemicals that can be detrimental to your pet’s health. Consult your veterinarian about choosing the best food for your pet, be sure to read labels, and choose a diet with minimally-processed ingredients. Switching to a higher quality food will make your pet’s coat soft, his skin healthy and can even help reduce allergies.
Consider Adding Supplements
Pets can benefit from vitamins, just like humans can. Fatty acids and other vitamins and minerals have been proven to help keep coats healthy and smooth. Some common supplements that contribute to skin and hair health include essential fatty acids, Vitamin E, fish oil, sunflower seed oil and flaxseed. Ask your vet which formulas might be right for your pet, and consider adding a supplement to your pet’s diet for optimal skin and hair health.
Feed Whole Food Treats
Besides supplements in liquid or pill form, there are certain whole foods you can add to your pet’s diet to help treat his coat, and give him a special snack. Salmon, tuna, sardines and anchovies are rich in Omega 3s and have been shown to do everything from keeping your pet’s coat radiant to combating cancer. Eggs are easily digestible and provide essential fatty acids for immune, hormonal, skin, kidney, heart, liver, reproductive, coat, and brain health. Quinoa is loaded with protein and contains all 10 of a dog’s essential amino acids — which helps make sure your pet is always pet-able!

Now that you know a little more about keeping your pet’s coat healthy from the inside out, don’t forget the importance of paying attention to his outward appearance as well! Regular grooming – especially for pets with long hair – is essential to your pet’s health and happiness. In general, most pets will benefit from a grooming every 4-6 weeks, but the frequency can vary depending on your pet’s breed. Pets can be brushed daily or weekly to reduce shedding and stimulate the skin. And of course, bathing weekly (or as needed) is important for keeping healthy coats clean! Be sure to use a shampoo that is formulated for pets, as human products can dry or irritate the skin.

Doing your part to ensure that your pet’s skin and hair are healthy and that his diet provides proper nutrition pays off in the long term. Your pet’s coat is an important indicator of his health, so any changes in its appearance warrants a call to the vet to make sure there are no underlying health problems that need to be treated (hopefully you have a pet insurance plan to help you pay the bills if there are!). Luckily, good nutrition is the best building block to keep pets healthy and to give them the best quality of life they can enjoy. And the bonus is that with proper diet and grooming, you’ll have a soft, snuggly pet for years and years to come!