By Royal Canin Scientific Communications

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Groomers are often the first line in detecting skin problems with pets, because they know that coat appearance can signal underlying skin disease. Groomers also know that ears are extensions of the skin and can also have problems such as infection or inflammation. It's not uncommon for pets to have both skin disease and ear problems resulting from the same underlying cause. How can we promote dermatologic health nutritionally?

B vitamins serve in the general biochemical pathways for overall skin health, and a unique combination of B vitamins has been shown to actually improve the skin's ability to serve as a barrier. The result is reduced penetration by bacteria, reduced likelihood of skin infection, and overall improvement of skin health. Providing a diet high in omega 3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, can help reduce itching and inflammation associated with allergic skin and ear disease. For recovery and repair after problems have occurred, the diet should contain the proper amount of protein.

The groomer's knowledge of skin and ear health is valuable, and gives owners additional support between vet visits. By combining regular bathing and ear cleaning with innovative nutrition, the occurrence of these problems can be reduced.