Winter is a demanding time for a dog’s skin. Dry freezing air, indoor heating, and limited sunlight weaken the skin’s natural moisture balance and protective barrier. When the skin starts to show symptoms, the changes often appear in the coat. At the same time, paw pads and eyes also reveal how the skin is doing from the inside out.
In research, canine skin wellbeing is linked especially to the quality and balance of fatty acids, adequate vitamin E intake, and sufficient zinc. Winter skin care is not rocket science. It is based on getting the right nutrients in adequate and balanced amounts.
Fatty acids – the biological foundation of skin, paw pads, and eyes
Skin, paw pads, and the mucous membranes of the eyes are tissues whose normal function is based on cell membranes and the lipid layer. Fatty acids are not only a source of energy. They are also essential for maintaining optimal body functions.
Omega-3 – the most researched fatty acid group for the skin
Omega-3 fatty acids are among the most researched nutrients in relation to dogs’ skin. Studies have shown that omega-3:
- supports normal skin structure and elasticity
- influences the skin’s ability to retain moisture
- is a central part of the overall nutritional approach for atopic skin
In atopic dogs, omega-3 intake has been shown to change the skin’s lipid composition and support the skin’s physiological balance. The same effect often extends to the eyes. Tear fluid and mucous membranes are also dependent on fatty acids.
Omega-6 – the protective barrier of skin and paw pads
Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for the skin’s protective barrier. They directly affect:
- the skin’s ability to retain water
- the elasticity and durability of paw pads
Most complete foods contain enough omega-6. The challenge arises when omega-6 is present on its own, without sufficient omega-3 balance.
Omega-7 – dry skin, paw pads, and eyes
Omega-7 is less well known, but it is interesting particularly from the perspective of dryness. In studies, it is associated with maintaining moisture in the skin and mucous membranes.
In winter, omega-7 comes up especially in connection with:
- dry and cracked paw pads
- supporting dry or sensitive eyes
- situations where the skin feels tight
Omega-9 – supports the overall fat profile
Omega-9 is not essential, because dogs can also produce it themselves. Even so, it supports the balance of the overall fat composition and the flexibility of cell membranes. It also functions as an energy fat in feeding.
Vitamin E – an essential partner for fatty acids
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant whose importance is emphasized especially in a diet rich in fatty acids. Studies have found vitamin E to:
- protect cells of the skin, paw pads, and eyes from oxidative stress
- support normal skin renewal
- be an essential part of the overall nutritional approach for atopic skin
Without sufficient vitamin E, the benefits of fatty acids can easily fall short. This is often visible specifically as dry paw pads and eyes that become irritated easily.
Zinc – renewal of skin and paw pads
Zinc is one of the most important trace elements for the skin. In studies, insufficient zinc intake has been linked to:
- flaking and hardening of the skin and paw pads
- reduced coat quality
- slower-than-normal skin renewal
Most dogs get enough zinc from complete foods or from a varied raw diet. In some cases, however, adding zinc may be necessary.
Copper, on the other hand, is not usually behind dogs’ skin issues. Added copper is not, as a rule, needed to support skin wellbeing.
How does this show up in practice? – Chia de Gracia products as part of the whole
When building a winter-skin feeding plan, no single product is a patented solution. What matters is which fatty acids come from which ingredient, and how they complement one another.
Hemp oil
Hemp oil naturally contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in a balanced ratio. It works well for:
- daily feeding
- general support for skin and coat
- situations where you want to improve the fat profile of the diet
Flaxseed oil
Flaxseed oil is a plant-based omega-3 source (ALA). Flaxseed oil:
- supports the skin’s lipid layer
- complements the fatty acid profile
- works well alongside animal-based omega-3 sources
- plant oils do not usually cause heartburn
Hemp seed and chia
Whole seeds add to the diet:
- fatty acids in a natural form
- fiber for digestion
- slowly released energy
They fit well as part of a raw diet or as a natural addition to a basic diet when you want to support the skin and the gut at the same time.
Sea buckthorn and sea buckthorn oil
Sea buckthorn is exceptional because of its fatty acid composition. Sea buckthorn and sea buckthorn oil naturally contain:
- omega-7 fatty acids
- omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids
Sea buckthorn is especially interesting in winter, when:
- the skin on paw pads dries and hardens
- the eyes feel dry or sensitive
- the skin feels tight
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a core part of a diet rich in fatty acids. It protects fats from oxidation and supports normal renewal of skin cells. The importance of vitamin E increases whenever oils are added to the diet.
Zinc
Zinc supports normal renewal of the skin and paw pads as well as coat structure and strength. Zinc deficiency can show up, for example, as flaking or as hairless patches around the eyes.
Summary
The wellbeing of winter skin, paw pads, and eyes is optimized when:
- the quality and balance of fatty acids are in good shape
- omega-3 and omega-6 are in the right ratio
- fats are supplemented as needed (omega-7, omega-9)
- there is sufficient vitamin E alongside fatty acids
- zinc supports normal skin renewal
Sources and research
- EFSA – Scientific opinions on fatty acids and skin function
- National Research Council: Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats
- Mueller RS et al. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids in canine atopic dermatitis
- Hall JA et al. Effects of dietary fatty acids and vitamin E on canine skin and coat
- Watson TDG. Diet and skin disease in dogs and cats
- Muller & Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology
