Healthy Pit Bulls are supposed to have glorious, shiny coats and smooth skin. The condition of a Pit Bull’s skin and coat usually reflects his/her overall health. Most canine skin conditions are caused by deficiencies in nutrition. Some other causes are allergies, parasitic infections, immune problems, hormonal disorders and bacterial and fungal infections. The following supplements will help you maintain a healthy Pit Bull coat and skin.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA & EPA)
This is an important supplement for a dog’s healthy coat and skin. Omega-3 Fatty Acids have anti-inflammatory properties which will help with allergies too. Supplements that contain fish oil are better than the ones that contain Flax seed oil or ground flax seed. Furthermore, go for a molecularly distilled product in order to avoid environmental contaminants found in fish.
Digestive Enzymes
It’s possible that your Pit Bull may have an unhealthy coat although you are feeding him/her quality dog food. Your dog’s body may not be producing enough enzymes to absorb nutrients. Therefore, introducing a digestive enzyme supplement will help your dog’s body break-down and absorb nutrients well.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Keratin and collagen are two scleroproteins that are essential to a healthy Pit Bull coat and skin. MSM is an organic sulfur compound that promotes the production of those scleroproteins. Furthermore, MSM is effective against allergies as well as wound healing.
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
GLA helps against pruritis and seborrhea as well as maintain a healthy Pit Bull coat and skin. Most Omega-6 fatty acids can be found in a typical dog’s diet with the exception of GLA. Borage oil, black currant oil and Primrose oil are very good sources of Gamma-Linolenic Acid or GLA.
Zinc
A Zinc supplement helps fight dog skin and coat conditions such as hair loss, redness, scaling and crusting. Zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, zinc histidinate and zinc orotate are easier to absorb while zinc sulfate is poor when it comes to absorption.
Cod Liver Oil
Some skin conditions will respond to supplements rich in Vitamin A. Cod liver oil is a rich source of natural Vitamin A. Above all, cod liver oil also provides much needed Vitamin D to your dog.
Kelp
This is a great source of minerals, vitamins, amino acids and trace elements that promote a healthy Pit Bull coat and skin. Kelp is known to help with skin pigmentation, glandular and metabolic function and detoxification. Norwegian or Icelandic deep water kelp is known to be the best.
Vitamin E-Complex
Your Pit Bull’s coat and skin will benefit from a natural E-Complex supplement that contains tocopherols and tocotrienols. Furthermore, Vitamin E promotes wound healing.
Further Reading
Supplements alone can’t ensure that your Pit Bull has a healthy skin and a shiny coat. This article talks about how to maintain a healthy Pit Bull coat and skin.
Introducing your Pit Bull to a raw diet has many benefits. Here’s a guide to feeding raw meals to your dog.
