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Categories Cat Dog 9 December 2025

Shiny Coat and Healthy Skin in Dogs and Cats: 11 Rules for a Happy Pet

A shiny coat and healthy skin in dogs and cats indicate that our four-legged friends are in perfect health. A dull, lackluster coat, on the other hand, is often a sign of health problems. By reading this article, you will discover the causes of a dull coat and all the secrets of proper coat care for dogs and cats.

Healthy Skin in Dogs and Cats: Why Is It Important?

An animal’s skin performs several essential functions: it protects against external aggressions, regulates body temperature, eliminates excess sebum, and releases pheromones involved in territorial marking and social and sexual communication.

Skin problems in dogs and cats are therefore a source of significant secondary issues that can undermine a pet’s quality of life and longevity.

But how can you tell if something is wrong? A healthy animal has skin that is uniform in color, well hydrated—meaning neither greasy nor flaky—and covered with a shiny coat.
Any change in the skin or in the health of a dog’s or cat’s coat must be carefully evaluated by a veterinarian.

Skin Problems in Dogs and Cats: The Causes

Skin problems in dogs and cats can have very different causes:

  • Nutritional deficiencies (proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, Omega-3 and Omega-6);
  • Lack of flea prevention in dogs/cats;
  • Lack of parasite prevention in dogs/cats;
  • Allergies in dogs;
  • Inadequate grooming;
  • More serious conditions, such as certain skin tumors and kidney dysfunctions.

While cleaning your dog’s or cat’s ears, have you noticed flaking or peeling skin?

Shiny Coat and Healthy Skin in Dogs and Cats: 11 Rules

To maintain the well-being of a dog’s or cat’s coat, there are some rules to follow:

1. Bathing a dog or cat should not take place sooner than 4–6 weeks after the previous bath and should be done with an appropriate dog or cat shampoo, to avoid disrupting the natural pH balance. Some animals, however, may be allergic to products designed for them. A veterinary dermatologist can recommend the most suitable shampoo for each specific case.

    2. Every 30 days, a broad-spectrum antiparasitic treatment should be administered, now in all seasons of the year, because due to climate change parasites no longer seem to take a break.

    3. The diet should include only natural ingredients that the animal would eat in nature. In some rare cases this is not possible. If you have rescued an orphan, read our in-depth guide on kitten nutrition to find out how to wean it.

    4. Wet food for dogs and cats should be made not from slaughterhouse by-products, but from white and red meats suitable for human consumption.

    5. Itching in dogs, excessive and out-of-season hair loss in cats/dogs, and excessive grooming in cats should be followed by a thorough veterinary examination.

    6. Brushing a dog’s or cat’s coat should be done daily. Brushing a cat’s coat, in particular, reduces the formation of hairballs. A small exception can be made for brushing short-haired dogs, which can be done twice a week.

    7. Supplements for dogs’ and cats’ coats can also support skin health and help in cases of deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, Omega-3 and Omega-6.

    8. Diets for dogs/cats with skin problems should be supervised by a veterinarian specialized in nutrition, otherwise nutritional imbalances may occur. To learn more, read our in-depth article on food intolerances and single-protein diets.

    9. GMOs, colorants, and flavorings should be banned.

    10. Veterinary check-ups for dogs/cats should take place at least once a year.

    11. Dogs’ and cats’ nails should be trimmed regularly, if not naturally worn down, to prevent them from becoming ingrown and causing skin wounds with subsequent infections.

    Shiny Coat and Healthy Skin in Dogs and Cats: The Best Diet

    A healthy and balanced diet is essential to maintain a shiny coat in dogs and cats. Dog food and cat food must contain sufficient amounts of proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

    It is worth noting that hair is made up of 95% proteins, such as keratin, and that for hair growth the body can use up to 30% of the proteins ingested through food.
    And since proteins are also needed for the functioning of vital organs, a protein deficiency can deprive the body of the keratin necessary for coat regeneration.

    The best diet for dogs and cats is one that respects their nature. Read our in-depth articles on dog kibble and cat kibble to find out what each of them needs.

    Natural Ingredients That Make the Difference

    Fish oil, Sicilian citrus fruits, oilseeds, olive oil, and high biological value proteins are some of the essential natural ingredients for maintaining a shiny coat and healthy skin in dogs and cats. For this reason, at Naxos we have added them to our various formulations.

    Our products, 100% made in Italy and cruelty-free, use raw materials intended for human consumption, ban GMOs, artificial flavorings and colorants, and respect the nutritional needs of pets of all ages—even when special requirements arise due to overweight, sterilization, or allergies. For a healthy animal, a healthy lifestyle is essential. Take a look at our range for dogs and cats and find out where to purchase our products online or near you.