Five tips for a healthy dog coat Maintaining healthy skin and coat is an extremely important part of your dog’s overall health. One of the first signs of poor health in a dog is usually a sad looking coat. Depending on the breed of dog you own, their grooming regimen will vary, but it can be simple to maintain. To keep your dog happy and healthy and their coat in optimal condition, just follow these five steps. 1. NutritionLike us, nutrition is a very important part of keeping our body healthy. The same goes for our dogs. Look for foods that are high in protein and essential fatty acids, the more nutrient dense your dog’s food is, the healthier your dog will be, leading to a beautiful coat as well. Your vet can help if you need any advice on which dog food would suit your furry friends needs best. 2. Regular groomingThere is a variety of grooming options that can be considered. You may choose to use a private pet groomer, veterinarian or do the work yourself, any of these options are suitable. Any good groomer will be trained to understand the needs of your dog and their breed. They should also perform a full service, cleaning your dog’s ears and cutting their nails. When you groom your dog yourself, always comb your dog before bathing them regardless of the length of their coat. Doing this will remove any dead surface hair. Grooming guideLong haired breeds – twice a week (at least)Breeds with thick undercoats – once a weekShort haired breeds – regularly to remove loose hair 3. Give them a doggy bathBathing eliminates the build-up of bacteria and oil on a dog’s coat, this build up is what causes that doggy smell. Baths are great for keeping your dog’s coat healthy and clean, but be careful not to ‘over bath’ your pooch. Try not to bathe your dog more than once a month, this can lead to dry skin that can become itchy and irritated. It is important to only use shampoo specially formulated for dogs. Your veterinary clinic can recommend the best options available. 4. Pe