What makes a dog's coat shine?

Question

I've heard that eggs help, and I've seen it done before. But is it the egg white or yolk that does it? Or is there anything else you know of?

Answer 1

Hey folks, it's NOT protein that helps dogs have a shiny coat its FATS. Good quality protein helps the hair grow strong but the sheen comes from oils.

The best thing you can do for your dogs coat is feed it a high quality food. Bathing is good once in a while but it actually strips the dogs coat of natural oils so too frequent bathing can acutally dry out the dogs coat making it dull.

If you are feeding a low quality food like Iams, Science Diet, Purina, Pedigree, Royal Canin, Ol Roy, Walthams, Diamond, Eukanuba, Pro Plan, Dog Chow, etc, you NEED to switch for you dogs overall health...not just its coat.

High quality foods like Innova, Wellness, Solid Gold, Fromm, Merrick, Evolve, Canidae, etc. all use high quality fats in their foods that are easily absorbed by the dog so it makes their coat much shinier.

I've worked with some very high end foods including Innova and the first comment new customers ALWAYS make is how much nicer the dog's coat is.

PLEASE DO NOT listen to the person suggesting you add bacon fat to the dogs food. If you are unable to switch to a healthier food, add either flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, or olive oil to your dogs food. These oils are good for your dog and are an alternative to switching to a better food.

Eggs are definitely good for your dog but I highly doubt (as they are a protein) that they do to much for your dogs coat.

Answer 2

Good nutrition, and regular grooming is all it takes. If the dog isn't getting those, eggs are not going to help. Giving a couple eggs weekly is fine, but do not give them raw. There are a lot of products out there for helping the coat. I have double coated dogs that I show, and it is just a matter of grooming and good nutrition that keeps the coat in great condition.

Answer 3

A decent dry food such as Hills canine, royal etc. No supermarkets own stuff. Also add cod liver oil to your dogs diet, this will help with bones and coat, this works VERY well. It worked a treat on our dogs coat. My GSD is now 16 and has had cod liver oil sinse she started showing signs of aging, this has kept her going and she is in immaculate condition, the vet didnt realise how old she was until he looked at the register. It works a treat and would recomend it to any dog owner/cat owner. For dogs 500 mg is enough once a day. Good luck

Answer 4

I've heard that about adding eggs, pumpkin, corn oil, etc., etc., etc. to the diet, but these have all been disproven scientifically. The main factors are frequent baths (which clean away dirt that detracts from the coat's natural luster), a good diet (which promotes overall good looks as well as health), and grooming as appropriate for the coat (which distributes the coat's oils and removes grit and dust).

Answer 5

I also heard that if you pour a little bacon grease over there dog food that that helps to bring out the shine too. But I wouldn't know for sure. Hope it helps. There are products for that but I think you wondering about more at home or natural remedies

Answer 6

usallly you can brush a dogs coat with a soft bristle brush and it will bring the oils from the skin to the surface and thats what really makes a dogs or cats coat really shine.

Answer 7

Proper diet and general good health. Eggs contain protein, which is good for hair condition in humans too. Proper and regular grooming. For dogs with long fur, lots and lots of brushing.

Answer 8

Proper grooming is all I've heard of.

Answer 9

Cooked eggs provide the extra protein for a shiner coat on your dog. I have used this method for years.... taught to me by my grandmother whom was a dog breeder for MANY years.

Answer 10

It's the protein. Just giver your dog the whole egg. (minus shell, of course.) It's good for them!