{"id":9190,"date":"2020-03-23T06:55:05","date_gmt":"2020-03-23T06:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthysuppliesshop.com\/?p=9190"},"modified":"2020-03-23T06:55:05","modified_gmt":"2020-03-23T06:55:05","slug":"dog-fur-tells-a-lot-about-a-dogs-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthysuppliesshop.com\/2020\/03\/23\/dog-fur-tells-a-lot-about-a-dogs-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Things Your Dog Fur Tells About It’s Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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So how much can you tell about dog’s health by looking at its fur?<\/p>\n

The general condition of your dog’s skin and coat are good indicators of his or her health.<\/p>\n

How fur works<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dog fur works just like human hair, in that it\u2019s made up mainly of a fibrous protein called keratin, the stuff that also makes up our nails, and also claws, horns, hooves, feathers and more.<\/p>\n

Hair grows from follicles, little sacs in the skin. The difference between dogs and humans is that we grow one hair per follicle whereas dogs can grow several.<\/p>\n

Again, both human and dog skin have little oil glands that keep skin and hair soft.<\/p>\n

In the canine world, dogs that have been bred to work in water will have super active oil glands that help them maintain a waterproof coat. So, if you\u2019re heading for shampoo that deals with oily hair, you might say you have the hair of a Retriever!<\/p>\n

However, many dogs have rather more complex hair structures than us.<\/p>\n

An undercoat of really soft fluffy hair that keeps dogs warm, and a top coat of stiff or guard hairs that help dogs keep dry. This so-called double coat is designed especially for colder weather.<\/p>\n

The other breeds that were bred for warmer climates, have no undercoat but they do have a long, soft, top coat.<\/p>\n

It is also oily which makes them super shiny but also means they need a lot of brushing.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, dogs that have a single layer are said to have hair while dogs that have a double coat are said to have fur.<\/p>\n

While dogs have different fur textures, like the wire-haired dachshund, feathery Shih Tzu, and woolly Poodle, healthy coats all look attractive and feel good when you run your hands over them.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t get a good look or it doesn\u2019t feel right, it pays to consider why.<\/p>\n

Dry fur<\/strong><\/p>\n

Healthy hair is made up mostly of keratin, living cells that are produced by the body and pushed out from the skin.<\/p>\n

As the cells grow out, they die and form a layer around the younger cells beneath.<\/p>\n

If the keratin is damaged, you can get fur that feels dry or rough to the touch.<\/p>\n

If your dog seems otherwise perfectly healthy and happy, first take a look at your grooming rituals.<\/p>\n

Are you using a shampoo that is too harsh?<\/p>\n

Or perhaps towel-drying to roughly?<\/p>\n

Or using a blast of heat to style your pet\u2019s coat?<\/p>\n

If you think this is the issue, then consider skipping a few baths and go in for some soft brushing instead.<\/p>\n

And change the way you groom your pet.<\/p>\n

If your dog has a difficult coat, speak to a professional groomer for special tips.<\/p>\n\t\n \n

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