What Your Dog’s Coat Is Telling You And How Nutrition Helps Restore Shine and Strength
A dog’s coat is one of the clearest windows into their internal health. A shiny, soft, vibrant coat reflects proper nutrition, strong skin structure, stable digestion, and overall wellbeing. A dull, patchy, or excessively shedding coat can point to deeper issues.
Here’s how nutrition plays a role.
1. Essential Fatty Acid Balance
The omega-6 : omega-3 ratio directly affects coat shine, softness, and hydration. Many commercial diets heavily favour omega-6, often reaching ratios close to AAFCO’s 30:1 maximum. The ideal range is 5:1 to 10:1, which supports healthy skin lipids, follicle hydration, and coat texture.
Omega-3s (EPA/DHA) help reduce inflammatory load and improve coat gloss.
2. Micronutrient Gaps
Nutrients essential for coat quality include:
• Vitamin A — skin turnover, keratinisation
• Vitamin E & C — antioxidant protection
• Zinc — follicle strength, coat colour, keratin production
• Biotin — coat thickness & hair structure
Deficiencies in any of these may lead to dullness, flakiness, slow regrowth, or fragile hair.
3. Oxidative Stress
Sun exposure, inflammation, and environmental factors increase free radicals. Antioxidants defend the skin barrier and hair follicles.
4. Gut–Skin Axis
Postbiotics help support immune balance and nutrient absorption both essential for coat appearance.
5. Low-Quality Protein
Coat material (keratin) is over 90% protein. Without high-quality amino acids, coat quality declines.
How CPK Helps Support Coat Health
The Skin + Coat Topper includes:
• EPA/DHA from algal oil for shine & follicle hydration
• Cold pressed canola oil for lipid barrier support
• Zinc & biotin for keratin structure
• Vitamins A, C, E for antioxidant protection
• Collagen for deeper dermal strength
• EpiCor® postbiotic for gut-driven coat vitality
With consistent use, dogs often show softer, shinier coats and healthier skin from the inside out.