Labrador or Labrador Retriever is an excellent family dog. They are intelligent and highly trainable. They are quite strong, so during the old days, people used them for hard work, such as retrieving.
Since they were bred to work, these dogs must get regular exercise and training. Labradors are usually good with other pets and children as long as they are trained.
Generally, you don’t need to spend much effort to maintain labradors. However, they can suffer skin conditions. It may seem manageable initially, but when left untreated, it could lead to more severe troubles.
To maintain their skin and coat health, we need to use brushes, and it’s best if they are the top choices for labs. Keep in mind that there are other factors you need to consider.
Here are different ways to maintain your lab’s skin and coat in excellent condition.
Diet and Nutrition
Like humans, dog food affects our dogs’ skin’s appearance and softness. Our labs should have enough protein, around 18% to 19% of their caloric intake. If you are feeding your dog with store-bought dog food, read the label to check whether it has enough protein.
On the other hand, making your recipe gives you complete control of what you can include. However, you should avoid adding too many fillers to your lab’s diet. Mixing too much wheat and other similar products can make them full but will not give any nutritional value, thus, affecting their coats.
Don’t forget to give them enough water to keep them hydrated and help their digestion.
This method could be minor, but it helps make your lab’s skin shine and become brighter. It energizes their skin and can prevent health conditions from happening. Remember that improper nutrition could lead to your labrador’s skin being shed.
Bathe Them Regularly
Bathing your dog at least once a month is critical. Their skin can easily catch dirt, and it could grow into bacteria when left uncleaned. The bacteria will start hurting your dog. For instance, they’ll begin itching, a clear sign of dandruff. Cleaning your labrador removes any dirt trapped in your body.
Dog owners usually prefer going to a pet groomer to clean their pets. However, working on a budget, you don’t need to pay professionals to keep your labrador clean. Bathing your dog at home can save you time and money.
Just make sure to lightly scratch their skin while giving them a bath to remove the dead cells. It’ll also encourage new, healthier hair to grow.
One thing that you should be careful of when buying dog shampoos or soap is the ingredients. Make sure that your labrador isn’t allergic to the ones listed. If you are unsure whether your dog has allergies, visit your vet for tests.
Don’t Let Your Lab Lay in Direct Sunlight Too Often
As mentioned above, exercise is vital for labradors. We take them outside to enjoy walking, running, or other fun activities, especially when the weather is fine.
Sunlight is healthy for active dogs, like labradors. However, excessive exposure to the sun’s heat can do more damage than good.
Sunlight has UV rays that can hurt our dog’s skin and hair. It can make its hair feel dull. You’ll also notice that the color is lighter and can fall out easier.
Bring an umbrella if your dog loves staying or lying under the sun. Perhaps you can bring your dog to a shady area, such as under a tree, to protect it from any damage from the sun. If you’re playing outside, take a break in between.
You also need to protect your dog from high temperatures during summer, as it could lead to heatstroke.
Visit the Vet Regularly
Aside from proper grooming and feeding healthy foods to our labradors, taking them to the vet is also essential, especially when their coat is concerned.
You may think that their skin is healthy, but there are some inconspicuous areas where conditions have already started. Bringing your lab to the vet can spot every skin area your dog has to ensure its health.
If there are any underlying skin conditions, your vet will be able to provide your dog with treatment before it could get worse. On the other hand, if your dog’s skin is in tip-top condition, they can help you improve it more.
They can advise you on proper brushing techniques and even help you change your dog’s diet. Vets can also give your dog supplements to keep their skins healthy.
Conclusion
Labradors are great dogs. They are ideal for the family, but similar to other breeds, proper care is essential. Of course, we want our labradors to look clean and stunningly beautiful. We can keep their physical appearance in great shape by maintaining their skin and coat’s health.
Follow the tips above, and achieve beautiful skin for your labradors.
