Dog Food for Skin & Coat
Veterinarian Dr. med. vet. Franziska G. explains: Skin problems in dogs

"The skin is the dog's largest organ. It protects the body from external influences such as sunlight, but also from infectious agents like bacteria. If the skin is damaged, this can lead to serious health problems that can affect your dog. For this reason, skin problems in dogs are one of the most common reasons why dog owners seek veterinary advice.
While some skin problems in dogs can be identified and treated quickly, other skin conditions require more extensive diagnostic and therapeutic effort. Often the underlying cause is not in the skin itself, but in other organs such as the thyroid gland or adrenal gland. In addition to targeted treatment of the underlying condition, special dog food can also help with skin problems."
This content is a translation of the original text published on zooplus.de, created by Veterinarian Dr.med.vet. Franziska G., in collaboration with our editorial team. The information provided is for general guidance only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your vet if you have any concerns about your pet’s health or wellbeing.
Veterinarian Dr. med. vet. Franziska G. explains: Skin problems in dogs

"The skin is the dog's largest organ. It protects the body from external influences such as sunlight, but also from infectious agents like bacteria. If the skin is damaged, this can lead to serious health problems that can affect your dog. For this reason, skin problems in dogs are one of the most common reasons why dog owners seek veterinary advice.
While some skin problems in dogs can be identified and treated quickly, other skin conditions require more extensive diagnostic and therapeutic effort. Often the underlying cause is not in the skin itself, but in other organs such as the thyroid gland or adrenal gland. In addition to targeted treatment of the underlying condition, special dog food can also help with skin problems."
This content is a translation of the original text published on zooplus.de, created by Veterinarian Dr.med.vet. Franziska G., in collaboration with our editorial team. The information provided is for general guidance only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your vet if you have any concerns about your pet’s health or wellbeing.
What is skin and coat dog food?
Dog food for their skin and coat is designed to address skin and coat problems. It is therefore particularly suitable for dogs that have sensitive skin and suffer from skin conditions. This speciality food is rich in vitamins and minerals for dogs, which contribute to giving dogs’ coats a new lustre. Selected and valuable proteins ensure a low potential for allergy triggers. In addition, beneficial fatty acids such as omega fatty acids (e.g. EPA, DHA, GLA) support natural skin function. These are found in salmon oil and other oils for dogs.
What is skin and coat dog food?
Dog food for their skin and coat is designed to address skin and coat problems. It is therefore particularly suitable for dogs that have sensitive skin and suffer from skin conditions. This speciality food is rich in vitamins and minerals for dogs, which contribute to giving dogs’ coats a new lustre. Selected and valuable proteins ensure a low potential for allergy triggers. In addition, beneficial fatty acids such as omega fatty acids (e.g. EPA, DHA, GLA) support natural skin function. These are found in salmon oil and other oils for dogs.
Which dog food is suitable for skin problems?
For a healthy skin barrier and a shiny coat, your dog needs food that is rich in nutrients. Dog food for skin problems is therefore usually characterised by the following ingredients:
- High-quality Proteins: The right choice of proteins can support skin regeneration and maintain coat health.
- Omega-3 and Oomega-6 fatty Acids: These valuable fatty acids can have an anti-inflammatory effect and thus contribute to healthy skin.
- Vitamin E: This vitamin has an antioxidant effect and helps protect against free radicals.
- Biotin (Vitamin B6): This substance promotes the formation of keratin and thus also the skin layer.
- Zinc: By supporting antioxidant processes, zinc also contributes to good skin health.
- Hypoallergenic Ingredients: To avoid allergy-related skin issues, dog food for skin and coat is generally low in common allergens (e.g. grains or beef).
Which dog food is suitable for skin problems?
For a healthy skin barrier and a shiny coat, your dog needs food that is rich in nutrients. Dog food for skin problems is therefore usually characterised by the following ingredients:
- High-quality Proteins: The right choice of proteins can support skin regeneration and maintain coat health.
- Omega-3 and Oomega-6 fatty Acids: These valuable fatty acids can have an anti-inflammatory effect and thus contribute to healthy skin.
- Vitamin E: This vitamin has an antioxidant effect and helps protect against free radicals.
- Biotin (Vitamin B6): This substance promotes the formation of keratin and thus also the skin layer.
- Zinc: By supporting antioxidant processes, zinc also contributes to good skin health.
- Hypoallergenic Ingredients: To avoid allergy-related skin issues, dog food for skin and coat is generally low in common allergens (e.g. grains or beef).
What are typical signs of skin problems in dogs?
There are various signs that your dog's skin or coat is damaged. The most significant symptoms include:
- Itching in dogs
- Skin inflammation (dermatitis): redness, swelling, warmth
- Bacterial wound infections
- Hair loss
- Thickening of the skin (keratosis)
- Flaky skin
If your dog's skin problems are caused by a systemic condition, they may also show other symptoms of illness. These include, for example, tiredness, loss of appetite or gastrointestinal issues. You should therefore always consult a vet if your dog's skin and hair appear unhealthy.
Further information can be found in our zooplus magazine at: Skin diseases in dogs
What are typical signs of skin problems in dogs?
There are various signs that your dog's skin or coat is damaged. The most significant symptoms include:
- Itching in dogs
- Skin inflammation (dermatitis): redness, swelling, warmth
- Bacterial wound infections
- Hair loss
- Thickening of the skin (keratosis)
- Flaky skin
If your dog's skin problems are caused by a systemic condition, they may also show other symptoms of illness. These include, for example, tiredness, loss of appetite or gastrointestinal issues. You should therefore always consult a vet if your dog's skin and hair appear unhealthy.
Further information can be found in our zooplus magazine at: Skin diseases in dogs
What are common causes of skin and coat problems in dogs?
There are several causes of skin and coat problems in dogs. The most common ones are the following:
| Causes- | Nutrient deficiency |
|---|---|
| Description- | A lack of essential nutrients (e.g. biotin, omega fatty acids, zinc) can cause the skin to dry out and the coat to become dull. |
| Causes- | |
| Description- | Allergies are known to affect the skin and coat. Common allergens include ingredients such as wheat or beef, but a flea saliva allergy can also cause itching and skin inflammation. |
| Causes- | Infections and parasite infestation |
| Description- | |
| Causes- | Autoimmune diseases & hormonal disorders |
| Description- | The immune system and hormonal balance can have a negative impact on the health of your dog's skin. The biggest problems therefore often occur in dogs with hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome (adrenal hyperfunction) or lupus. |
| Causes- | Stress |
| Description- | The negative effects of stress on your dog's health should not be underestimated. Too much tension or boredom can lead to skin problems. |
| Causes- | |
| Description- | |
| Causes- | |
| Description- | |
| Causes- | |
| Description- |
Causes- | Description- |
|---|---|
Nutrient deficiency | A lack of essential nutrients (e.g. biotin, omega fatty acids, zinc) can cause the skin to dry out and the coat to become dull. |
Allergies are known to affect the skin and coat. Common allergens include ingredients such as wheat or beef, but a flea saliva allergy can also cause itching and skin inflammation. | |
Infections and parasite infestation | |
Autoimmune diseases & hormonal disorders | The immune system and hormonal balance can have a negative impact on the health of your dog's skin. The biggest problems therefore often occur in dogs with hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome (adrenal hyperfunction) or lupus. |
Stress | The negative effects of stress on your dog's health should not be underestimated. Too much tension or boredom can lead to skin problems. |
What are common causes of skin and coat problems in dogs?
There are several causes of skin and coat problems in dogs. The most common ones are the following:
| Causes- | Nutrient deficiency |
|---|---|
| Description- | A lack of essential nutrients (e.g. biotin, omega fatty acids, zinc) can cause the skin to dry out and the coat to become dull. |
| Causes- | |
| Description- | Allergies are known to affect the skin and coat. Common allergens include ingredients such as wheat or beef, but a flea saliva allergy can also cause itching and skin inflammation. |
| Causes- | Infections and parasite infestation |
| Description- | |
| Causes- | Autoimmune diseases & hormonal disorders |
| Description- | The immune system and hormonal balance can have a negative impact on the health of your dog's skin. The biggest problems therefore often occur in dogs with hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome (adrenal hyperfunction) or lupus. |
| Causes- | Stress |
| Description- | The negative effects of stress on your dog's health should not be underestimated. Too much tension or boredom can lead to skin problems. |
| Causes- | |
| Description- | |
| Causes- | |
| Description- | |
| Causes- | |
| Description- |
Causes- | Description- |
|---|---|
Nutrient deficiency | A lack of essential nutrients (e.g. biotin, omega fatty acids, zinc) can cause the skin to dry out and the coat to become dull. |
Allergies are known to affect the skin and coat. Common allergens include ingredients such as wheat or beef, but a flea saliva allergy can also cause itching and skin inflammation. | |
Infections and parasite infestation | |
Autoimmune diseases & hormonal disorders | The immune system and hormonal balance can have a negative impact on the health of your dog's skin. The biggest problems therefore often occur in dogs with hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome (adrenal hyperfunction) or lupus. |
Stress | The negative effects of stress on your dog's health should not be underestimated. Too much tension or boredom can lead to skin problems. |
Which dog food is suitable for dogs that are constantly scratching?
Frequent scratching indicates that your dog is itchy. A common cause of this is an allergy. It may be helpful to feed your dog a special food for skin and coat, which usually contains hypoallergenic ingredients.
Which dog food is suitable for dogs that are constantly scratching?
Frequent scratching indicates that your dog is itchy. A common cause of this is an allergy. It may be helpful to feed your dog a special food for skin and coat, which usually contains hypoallergenic ingredients.
How can I keep my dog's skin healthy?
In addition to a balanced diet, regular grooming can be helpful for skin health. Brushing your dog with a dog brush, from time to time, helps remove dead skin cells and ensure better blood circulation. You should also make sure your dog gets enough exercise to avoid stress.
How can I keep my dog's skin healthy?
In addition to a balanced diet, regular grooming can be helpful for skin health. Brushing your dog with a dog brush, from time to time, helps remove dead skin cells and ensure better blood circulation. You should also make sure your dog gets enough exercise to avoid stress.
Which food is best if my dog is shedding excessively?
In the case of severe hair loss, the food should be rich in high-quality proteins, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to promote coat health. In addition, nutrients such as biotin and vitamin E can support skin cell renewal and thus strengthen the coat from the inside out.
Which food is best if my dog is shedding excessively?
In the case of severe hair loss, the food should be rich in high-quality proteins, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to promote coat health. In addition, nutrients such as biotin and vitamin E can support skin cell renewal and thus strengthen the coat from the inside out.























