What is the Relationship between Pet Food and the hair of Cats and Dogs?

The hair of dogs and cats is such a characteristic factor of the different breeds and species that it is, even in many cases, what makes a person can choose for one breed or another.

In this article we will tell you the importance of pet food when it comes to preserving the hair of animals and the different options that we can offer to pets in our Industry.

Many Dogs and Cats suffer from hair problems that manifest as persistent shedding, obsessive grooming, paw chewing, bald patches, or skin rashes. However, the hair responds to a cyclical process. Hair shedding is a normal physiological process, common to many species of animals (and even humans).

The truth is that, in Dogs and Cats, taking into account it's more visible (and in many cases, annoying for their owners). In these species, the shedding must occur once or twice a year: in the transition from winter to spring, and from summer to autumn on some occasions. This is known as a seasonal shedding, which is normal, necessary, and healthy.

Now, the problem appears when a Dog or Cat constantly sheds its hair, we could even say that throughout all the seasons.

Does the food given to the pet have to do with these events? Are there ingredients that positively or negatively affect the fur of animals?

First and foremost, it should be noted that a continuous shedding of hair indicates that there is an excess of waste in the pet's system that is trying to eliminate.

Among the possible causes of a continuous shedding of hair, poor quality food is the main one, followed by:

• Overfeeding

• Unidentified food allergy or intolerance to an ingredient in the formula

• Excess fat and protein intake

These factors can lead to the accumulation of toxic waste in the system and a variety of problems.

What can we do from the pet food industry?

There are certain components that we can take into account when making a new formula or improving an existing one:

• Hypoallergenic food: After years of studies and tests, it could be said that, today, formulas with whole grains give excellent results; secondly, there are potatoes and buckwheat. In the case of dogs, a natural, healthy, easily digestible food, rich in complex carbohydrates and low in protein and fat is the closest thing to an ideal formula.

• Overfeeding: Although in this sense there is not much that we can control from the industry, what can be done is to raise awareness and inform through the packaging of each of our products about the importance of respecting the amounts recommended by veterinary nutritionists. You have a recent article where we talked at length about this topic. Overfeeding a pet will cause the body to receive more of what it needs and consumes, even if the food is of excellent quality, so it will accumulate all these components in the form of toxins.

Hair loss in dogs

It goes without saying that a food with a complete and balanced formula helps to keep the cycle of coat change unaltered. Still, in many cases, what is good for one dog or breed may not be good for another.

The ingredients that today help prevent excessive hair loss in dogs are:

• Fruits and vegetables, due to their high omega-6 content.

• Royal smoked salmon, due to its high omega-3 content.

• Protein from brown rice.

• Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids: Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids provide a lot of nutrition and hydration to the skin and coat, especially in breeds with a tendency to have dry, sensitive or dull skin. The balance between these two acids is what achieves a shiny and healthy coat.

• Salmon and trout flour.

• Antioxidants, prebiotics and probiotics.

Hair loss in cats

In the case of cats, and especially those with long hair, the formula of the food can make a big difference, both in the aesthetics and in the health of the hair. The shiny coat of a cat can have up to 1,200 hairs per square centimeter.

With what ingredients can we try to take care of it and keep it healthy, shiny and smooth?

• Pure coconut oil: Helps to hydrate the skin, especially sensitive skin prone to allergies or redness. At the same time, it improves the appearance of the hair, because it provides shine and softness from within. Prevents excessive loss and promotes healthy growth.

• Zinc and vitamins C, E, A and B: This set of vitamins promotes the synthesis of keratin, something essential for a healthy, elastic, thick and shiny skin and coat.

• Biotin: Vitamin B complex that helps promote healthy tissue growth.

• Vitamin E: This vitamin is a natural antioxidant that helps protect your pet's skin against free radicals that could damage skin cells.

• Chicken flour and brown rice.

Summary

Hair, beyond being characteristic of each race or species, has its own functions, such as providing sensory data and protection.

Beyond aesthetics, it is essential to emphasize raising awareness among the pet-owning public about which food is most suitable for each species or breed and how to recognize when the hair is in good or bad condition.

Without a doubt, a balanced and complete formula in nutrients, vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates will do its job and will keep the animal healthy and cute. Even so, you must always take into account reinforcing the importance of respecting the quantities, as well as researching or consulting about the indicated food for each Pet.

What ingredient do you think is the most suitable to add to pet food formulas?

By: All Pet Food