Your Dog's Coat Can Tell You a Lot – Do You Recognize These Signs?

Your Dog's Coat Can Tell You a Lot – Do You Recognize These Signs?

Is Your Dog's Coat Looking Dull? Here's What to Check

A glossy, smooth, healthy-looking coat is often one of the clearest outward signs of a dog's overall well-being. When dog coat health takes a turn — becoming dull, dry or brittle, with increased shedding or skin that flakes, itches or turns red — there's usually more than one possible reason behind the change.

The coat's appearance alone won't tell you exactly what's going wrong. That said, changes in the skin and coat are frequently among the first visible signals that it's worth taking a closer look at your dog's diet, skin health and general condition. This Article — Your Dog's Coat Can Tell You a Lot – Do You Recognize These Signs? — walks you through what to consider.

1. Is Your Dog Getting Enough High-Quality Protein?

Hair is built largely from keratin, which is a protein. An adequate intake of high-quality, digestible protein and the right essential amino acids is therefore fundamental to normal hair growth and a healthy coat.

Insufficient protein or energy intake may show up as:

  • a dry or dull coat

  • brittle hair

  • increased shedding

  • slow coat regrowth

  • loss of muscle mass

  • weight loss or poor overall condition

The overall balance of the diet deserves particular attention in dogs fed homemade or raw diets. Simply providing a generous amount of meat doesn't automatically mean the diet delivers all nutrients in the right proportions.

2. Fatty Acids Are Important for the Skin and Coat

Both the quantity and quality of fat in the diet can have a tangible effect on your dog's skin and coat condition.

Dogs must obtain essential fatty acids from their diet. When intake falls short, the skin may become dry and flaky, and the coat can lose its shine or turn coarse and lifeless.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are especially relevant to skin health. Omega-3s include the plant-derived alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), as well as EPA and DHA, which are found primarily in marine sources.

Good plant-based sources of fatty acids include:

Fatty acid intake is best assessed as part of the dog's overall diet rather than by focusing on any single oil supplement in isolation.

3. Zinc and Copper Contribute to Normal Skin and Coat Function

Zinc is one of the key trace elements linked to normal skin health in dogs. It plays a role in cell renewal, healthy skin function and keratinisation.

Zinc deficiency may be associated with hair loss, thickening of the skin and skin lesions. Copper, meanwhile, contributes to normal hair pigmentation — insufficient copper intake may be linked to a fading coat colour and a general deterioration in coat quality.

When it comes to trace elements, however, more is not automatically better. The balance between nutrients influences how well they are utilised, and excessive amounts of certain minerals can interfere with the absorption of others.

If your dog eats a complete and balanced commercial diet, zinc or other trace elements generally shouldn't be added without a specific reason to do so. With homemade diets, trace element intake should always be calculated across the entire diet.

4. What About Biotin and Other Vitamins?

Biotin is probably the best-known vitamin associated with skin and coat health. It's involved in the metabolism of fats, glucose and amino acids, making it relevant to how the body maintains the skin and coat from the inside out.

True biotin deficiency is rare in dogs. It can occur, however, when the diet is unusually restricted or unbalanced. Feeding large amounts of raw egg white is another potential concern, since avidin — a protein present in raw egg white — binds to biotin and reduces its availability.

Other B vitamins, along with nutrients that function as antioxidants, are also involved in the normal metabolism of the skin and coat.

When choosing supplements, the overall diet is what matters most: what might genuinely be missing, and what is already being provided in sufficient amounts by your dog's everyday food?

5. Heavy Shedding Does Not Always Mean There Is a Problem

Many dogs naturally shed more heavily in spring and autumn. Breeds with a thick undercoat can lose particularly impressive amounts of hair during seasonal coat changes — and this is entirely normal.

Dogs that spend most of their time indoors may shed more evenly throughout the year, as the stable indoor temperatures and artificial lighting tend to reduce the influence of seasonal cues.

During a normal seasonal shed, the skin underneath generally looks healthy, and no clearly defined bald patches develop.

If hair loss is excessive, localised or symmetrical, or if it comes alongside itching, redness, scabs or other skin changes, there's likely another underlying cause beyond a routine seasonal coat change.

6. Digestive Function and Nutrient Utilisation

Even a well-balanced diet can't do its job properly if your dog's digestion isn't working as it should.

Persistent digestive problems can affect how well nutrients are absorbed and utilised, and over time this may become visible in the dog's general condition, skin and coat.

Keep an eye out for symptoms such as:

  • recurring diarrhoea or loose stools

  • flatulence

  • vomiting

  • changes in appetite

  • weight loss

  • recurring digestive discomfort

If these symptoms persist, the priority should be investigating the root cause with a veterinarian — not continually layering new products onto the diet in the hope that something will help.

7. Itching and Hair Loss Can Be Caused by Parasites

Both external and internal parasites can have a real impact on a dog's skin and coat.

Fleas, lice and various types of mite can trigger severe itching, skin irritation and hair loss. A significant internal parasite burden may also affect a dog's overall condition more broadly.

If your dog is constantly scratching or licking itself, losing hair in specific areas, or developing visible skin changes, parasites should always be considered and ruled out as a possible cause.

8. Allergies and Skin Problems Are Common

Not every coat problem has a nutritional explanation.

Skin symptoms in dogs may be associated with:

  • environmental allergies

  • food-related sensitivities

  • bacterial or yeast infections

  • fungal infections

  • external parasites

  • excessively dry skin

  • prolonged moisture

  • mechanical irritation of the skin

Skin inflammation can produce symptoms including itching, redness, flaking, thickening of the skin, an unusual odour and hair loss.

Severe itching, broken or weeping skin, marked redness or rapidly worsening hair loss are all good reasons to seek veterinary advice without delay.

9. Hormonal Conditions Can Affect the Coat

Sometimes coat changes are caused by a condition that affects the whole body rather than the skin alone.

Hypothyroidism and other hormonal disorders, for example, can disrupt normal hair growth and lead to a thinning coat or symmetrical hair loss across the body.

Long-term illness, chronic stress or significant physical strain can also take a toll on coat quality over time.

It's worth consulting a veterinarian if changes in your dog's coat are accompanied by any of the following:

  • tiredness or lethargy

  • weight gain or weight loss

  • changes in appetite

  • increased drinking

  • a noticeable change in activity levels

  • widespread or symmetrical hair loss

10. External Factors Also Affect Coat Condition

Not everything comes down to what's in the food bowl.

A range of external factors can put stress on the skin and coat, including:

  • bathing too frequently

  • using a shampoo not formulated for dogs

  • prolonged moisture

  • insufficient drying after swimming or washing

  • matting

  • infrequent brushing

  • harnesses or clothing that rub against the skin

  • dry indoor air

When washing your dog, always use products designed specifically for dogs and factor in the individual needs of your dog's particular coat type.

Where Should You Start?

If your dog's coat no longer looks as healthy as it once did, begin by stepping back and looking at the bigger picture.

A useful checklist to work through:

  1. Is your dog eating a suitable and nutritionally balanced diet?

  2. Is your dog getting enough energy and high-quality protein?

  3. Does the diet provide sufficient essential fatty acids?

  4. Are zinc, copper and other mineral and trace element levels properly balanced?

  5. Is a homemade or raw diet being supplemented correctly?

  6. Is your dog's digestion functioning normally?

  7. Is there flaking, redness, scabbing or an unusual odour on the skin?

  8. Is your dog scratching or licking itself more than usual?

  9. Is the shedding part of a normal seasonal coat change, or are distinct bald patches beginning to appear?

  10. Have there been any changes in your dog's weight, activity level or general well-being?

In the vast majority of cases, the best outcomes come from looking at the dog's complete diet and overall health — rather than pinning hopes on a single supplement.

Dog coat health is built from within — but the skin and coat can also reveal a great deal about what is happening inside your dog's body.

Back to blog