Best Skin Supplements for Itchy Dogs: What Really Works?
Do skin supplements help every dog?
Signs your dog could benefit from a skin supplement
Choosing the right supplement for your dog
The ingredients that make a difference for your dog’s skin
Our vet-recommended products
When should dogs start taking skin supplements?
Top tips for skin supplements
Products in this article
Best Skin Supplements for Itchy Dogs: What Really Works?
Skin problems are responsible for around 1 in 5 vet visits, and itchy skin is the most common symptom. Parasites and infections are still common causes of itchy skin, but allergies are now more frequent.
The trouble with allergies is that they don’t go away. Many dogs need long-term management to stay comfortable and keep their skin healthy. The best way to achieve this is to consider all the available tools that may help (a holistic approach). This involves diet changes, immunotherapy, medication and also supplements. There are a few things to consider when choosing what supplements to give your dog.
Do skin supplements help every dog?
Dogs with skin allergies tend to benefit the most from supplements, as they help with both the symptoms and the underlying cause.
Dogs with dry or flaky skin often benefit from skin supplements.
Dogs with very demanding coat types (long hair, frequent shedding) can benefit from certain skin supplements.
In some cases, older dogs may start to struggle with their coat quality, and supplements may help.
Skin supplements can also help with symptoms of parasites or infections, but in these cases, it’s more important to treat the main problem.
Signs your dog could benefit from a skin supplement
It’s always best to discuss skin issues with your vet, so that any underlying causes can be treated. They will also ensure the supplements are suitable with the rest of the management plan. Signs that a supplement should be considered include:
Excessive scratching or licking
Skin redness
Thin, patchy or dull hair
Dry or flaky skin
Saliva staining of hair
Thickening or darkening of the skin
Choosing the right supplement for your dog
More and more products are available each year, but unfortunately, most aren’t very useful or the best option. A few key points to consider include:
Quality control: Independent tests have shown that many products do not contain the quantities of the supplement stated on the label, sometimes none at all!
Independent recommendations: Online feedback is often unreliable, and manufacturer information should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Reliable sellers: Counterfeit products are becoming more of a problem. It’s important to get your products from a reliable source.
Avoid the temptation of “All-in-one” products: Multi-supplements often contain very small amounts of each ingredient, and may use lower-quality sources. This reduces (or even eliminates!) their effectiveness, especially compared to targeted high-quality supplements.
The ingredients that make a difference for your dog’s skin
Essential fatty acids
These are the most thoroughly studied and well-proven types of skin supplement. However, it’s still not clear which balance of fatty acids most benefits the skin. Both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are needed for healthy skin, but dogs with allergies may benefit more from higher levels of Omega-3. We currently recommend supplements made from a combination of plant oils designed to achieve the ideal Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio. Or fish oils that are naturally high in Omega-3, like sardine, mackerel or salmon.
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamins A, D, and E play important roles in the immune system and in maintaining healthy skin. Giving supplements containing these may have some minor benefits, but they will not have a very significant effect on their own (unless there is a deficiency, which is rare nowadays, especially in dogs fed commercial diets).
Vitamin E is beneficial for dogs with allergies. It is often added to essential fatty acid supplements and many foods designed for skin problems.
Zinc and Vitamin B7 (Biotin) are highly effective in specific conditions where they are deficient or their metabolism is not working properly.
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) is sometimes prescribed as part of the treatment for some autoimmune skin conditions, but allergic dogs don’t generally benefit much from it.
Ceramides
Ceramides belong to a class of lipids that have an important role in supporting the skin’s function as a protective barrier. They also help the skin stay hydrated. Ceramide supplements given by mouth don’t seem to work, but a few studies show benefits from spot-on (topical) ceramide supplements, especially if combined with other barrier-boosting lipids.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and cannabinoids
In recent years, there has been a lot of research looking at a set of cell receptors called the endocannabinoid system. These have been shown to be more active in the skin and immune system of dogs with allergic skin disease. Several treatments are being investigated to target this system, and the most promising results have been with PEA. This molecule is naturally produced in dogs’ skin and appears to reduce itching and inflammation. It’s still early days, but it shows promise as a new tool for managing skin issues.
Probiotics
Allergic skin disease in dogs is often associated with food intolerances and gastrointestinal disease. Preliminary studies have shown that specific probiotics may help dogs with skin disease. However, at the moment, there is much we don’t know about this subject, including which probiotics actually help, the dose required or the best way to give them. Hopefully, probiotic supplements will become a useful tool to treat itchy skin in the near future.
Key points to remember:
Essential fatty acids and ceramide spot-on products are recommended for improving skin health.
Vitamin and mineral supplements may be useful depending on your dog’s specific condition and diet.
Our vet-recommended products
When should dogs start taking skin supplements?
Good-quality supplements reduce the need for medication in allergic dogs, but do not replace appropriate treatment. Speak to your vet about what is right for your dog.
In most cases, supplements can be started once your vet has ruled out any serious underlying conditions, such as parasites, hypothyroidism or autoimmune disease.
Many dogs with allergies or sensitive skin will benefit from continuing supplements long-term.
Where coat appearance is the only concern, it may be worth trying a 3-4 week course of essential fatty acids or ceramides to see how they respond.
Careful! Dogs with a history of pancreatitis or digestive issues may have trouble coping with oil-based supplements. Speak to a vet if you have any concerns.
Top tips for skin supplements
Good-quality supplements can be very useful in improving skin health and defences.
The top choice for most dogs is products containing essential fatty acids and vitamins, especially high levels of Omega-3, like Yumove Skin and Coat Care.
Veterinary diets for skin allergies or sensitive skin usually already contain these supplements, so adding more may not be of benefit.
Spot-on products with ceramides, such as Virbac Allerderm Spot-on, are useful for dogs with dry, flaky skin.
Our online vets are always happy to guide you on using these supplements and other treatments, so your furry friends can be comfortable and happy.
