Coat and Skin Care for Sun and Surf

Topic: Going to the Beach

Filed under Dogs

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Just like people, dog's hair and skin can become dry and irritated through exposure to particular substances or through being exposed to intense heat or sun. Dogs that spend a lot of time at the beach or in an out of water, either salt or freshwater, are at the highest risk of developing dry skin or dry and brittle coats if owners don't follow some basic skin and coat care routines.

The first thing that dog owners need to realize is that not all dogs have the best coats for swimming in any type of water, salt or fresh. In direct opposite of this statement are dogs that have been bred to be in the water and have developed natural oils in their coats that repel water from the hair shaft, acting like a natural protective coat. Some of the more common breeds that are considered to have ideal coats for being in and out of the water are Labrador Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Poodles, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Newfoundlands and Golden Retrievers. These dogs have naturally oily coats that resist drying even in salty water. However these dogs can still have skin problems associated with salt deposits at the roots of the hair shafts or the contact of the salt on the skin with repeated exposures of swimming and drying off.
Dogs that have double coats or a thick, dense inner wooly coat covered by a sleeker outer coat are more likely to have problems with dry skin or skin irritations when they are in and out of water than single coated dogs. This is because the dense inner coat traps the moisture from the water close to the skin and can lead to hot spots and bacterial infections in small cuts and abrasions on the skin's surface. After all the high humidity and warmth close to the skin created by the insulation of the inner coat provides a perfect growing climate for bacteria.

Dogs with very fine and silky hair may also have problems with their hair and skin drying out when they are in and out of the water. In addition these dogs are typically single coated dogs and they may have areas of skin that are exposed and not fully covered by the coat. A good example of this is the Maltese with its long, silky white coat that parts down the middle of the spine. This exposed skin area is particularly prone to burning. Other dog breeds that are prone to sunburns are Chinese Crested, the white areas around the muzzle on Boxers, Bulldogs and Chihuahuas and of course any dog that has a thin or patchy coat due to a health problem or existing skin or coat condition. White dogs are typically more at risk for sunburns since their skin color tends to be pink while darker coated dogs typically have brown or even black skin that is less likely to burn. There are many different sun blocks for dogs but if you need to human sun block products will do in a pinch. Sunburns need to be monitored for infections and itching as they heal and can be treated with prescription medication from the vet if they are severe. Aloe vera gels and creams can be used on most dogs for minor sunburns and dry skin.

The best way to care for your dog's coat and skin at the beach is to avoid bathing your dog right before your trip to the water. Bathing your dog strips the natural oils from the skin and coat and will contribute to drying. This is particularly true for terrier breeds or the water dog breeds listed above. Over drying of the coat will lean to the hair becoming brittle and breaking down the shaft, making the coat appear ragged and thin. In addition the dry coat is likely to also mean that the skin itself is dry. Just like in humans, dogs with dry skin are likely to experience fairly significant itching in patches along the body. With this itching comes lots of scratching, which in turn leads to hair loss, scraping of the skin and even open sores in the area that is being scratched. Open wounds provide the opportunity for bacterial infections and hot spots that will spread to other parts of the dog's body.

By leaving at least a week between bathing a dog and a day at the beach or lake you will allow the skin and hair to redevelop their natural covering of oil, helping to eliminate this problem. Routine grooming also helps the oil move down the hair shaft and coat the entire length of the hair, allowing each hair to stay healthy even with repeated wetting and drying.

There is also the chance that there may be pollutants or natural minerals or compounds in the water that may irritate the dog's skin. This can occur regardless of the condition of your dog's coat or skin and is more likely to be an allergic reaction to something in the water or the environment. As with any type of allergy it is possible to use an antihistamine shampoo and a soothing conditioner that contains oatmeal, aloe vera or jojoba. This should be used to wash the dog after they start to show signs of itching or irritation, or immediately after they are swimming if this has been a problem in the past.

Most dog owners won't experience allergy problems with their pets, however there are still a few tips to help keep the dog's skin and coat in top condition. The first step is to always rinse your dog off thoroughly after they are out of the water for the final time. This is especially important if they are in salt water as it will remove any of the salt from the skin and coat before it has a chance to start drying the area out. Many dog friendly beaches have rinsing tables and hoses provided or bring several containers of water from home to provide a complete rinse for the dog.

There are several different types of herbal or natural spray in coat and skin conditioners that can also be helpful both in detangling coats as well as rehydration of the hair and skin. These conditioners may not be necessary if the dog is in fresh water but can be a great way to help the coat recover from saltwater exposure at the beach. Spraying the coat before the dog goes swimming is also a good option to add extra protection and help prevent saltwater damage and drying.

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