The Five Top Tips on Dog Coat Health

Giving your dog a shiny coat isnt just about beauty. A shiny coat is the result of your dog being healthy. And we all want a healthy dogright? Read on to learn the top tips on dog coat health.

Tip 1: A shiny coat starts with good nutrition. Feed your dog a high quality dog food. Often generic dog foods use cheaper ingredients which may not always be great for your dog.

Remember to compare ingredients, and when in doubt, consult your vet. Also, limit the amount of dog treats to give to your dog.

Tip 2: Make a habit of checking your dogs fur. Not only can burs and fleas interfere with a healthy coat, they can be a health problem for your canine. Make a habit of checking your dogs fur weekly.

Tip 3: Consider the benefits of conditioner. Yesconditioner for your dog! Some people think it sounds strange, but it can work wonders. Look for a dog conditioner that is tearless, so if it gets in your dogs eyes, it wont hurt.

Tip 4: Dont be tempted to share. You paid a fortune for your shampoo, so it must work wonders on your dogright? Wrong, often human shampoos are too harsh for dogs. Make sure to purchase a shampoo that is specifically designed for dogs.

Tip 5: Spoil your dog with the brush. Brushing your dog often will help keep his coat looking great. If your dog has long hair, you may need to brush twice a week. If your dog has shorter hair, you may brush less.

Bonus tips: The scoop on baths. Some dogs require baths more often than others. If your dog is one that requires fewer baths, this may interfere with a shiny coat. Check with your vet on your specific bread.

And remember, if your dog continues to have a dull luster to his coat, talk to a groomer or vet. They may have additional suggestions based on your dogs unique breed and circumstances.

Skin and Coat Medicine for Dogs

The happiest dog can easily become quite miserable when they develop a skin or coat problem. Dogs, which have required nothing beyond simple grooming and a healthy diet for years, can be struck by disease or old age and the effect is often evident in their coat. It may lack the healthy sheen you are used to seeing. Or maybe the dog has developed spots on his skin that itch and have become irritated. The problem could be the result of changing nutritional needs due to his age.

Or it could be the result of a disorder that requires treatment, such as endocrine disorders, congenital or inherited disorders, parasites, trauma, infectious disease or an immune disorder. For some dogs, the problem can be something simple like an allergy to something in the environment. Allergies can strike dogs at an early age or upon exposure. It is hard for a dog to ignore itchy skin. Without treatment, the dog may keep scratching to the point that its skin becomes inflamed. Once that happens, the dogs skin may not heal quickly and infection sets in.

The answer can be as simple as skin and coat supplements, which provide the skin with the nutrients it needs to be healthy. These supplements contain fatty acids, which are natural anti-inflammatories, vitamins and minerals all needed to ensure your dog has a shiny, healthy coat and skin. Or the dogs condition may require skin and coat medications. These come in various strengths and formats lotions, shampoos, conditioners and sprays.

Lotions

Some lotions, like Resicort Leave-on Lotion, contain 1 percent hydrocortisone and are indicated for the relief of inflammation and pruritus. You should massage it deep into the dogs coat to soothe allergic skin. The lotion leaves a film behind that continues to treat the skin and coat long after its been applied.

Conditioners

Just as children with chicken pox have found that an oatmeal bath can provide a lot of relief, it can do the same for dogs. Oatmeal-based conditioners, like Epi-Soothe Oatmeal Cream Rinse, are used after shampooing to help relieve itchy or sensitive skin by restoring the moisture and natural oils to the skin. As a side benefit, it can also make longer coats more manageable and less likely to tangle. There is also Relief Cream Rinse, which combines colloidal oatmeal and proxamine HCL, to soothe itching caused by a variety of skin conditions. Its emollients and Omega-6 fatty acids will continue to nourish the dogs skin if it is not rinsed out.

Shampoos

With almost all of the dogs body covered with fur, finding the right shampoo is important. With myriad varieties of dog shampoos, there is one for almost any canine condition. For outdoor dogs, there are shampoos like Adams Flea Shampoo, which kills fleas, ticks and lice. Skunk-Off shampoo is as mild as tearless baby shampoo with the deodorizing ingredients found in the original Skunk-Off liquid. Products like Douxo Calm Shampoo are for dogs suffering from allergies. It gently cleans the allergens from the skin and protects against further attack by helping the skin heal. Allegroom Shampoo cleanses without heavy stripping of the lipid layer and adds moisture to the surface. Allergroom contains no fragrances, soaps or detergents, and is pH controlled. There are also high-lathering shampoos, such as Keratolux Shampoo, that help remove scales and crust common to seborrhea and other skin disorders.

Latest fashion news & ideasYour Coats This Winter

It might be a bit early to feel cold, but it's never too early to speak of wintery trends. We are always eager to find out all about the cold season's popular items, and now we choose to shed the light on coats. The latest jacket trends for women are awesome, with updates on classic styles, and some newer looks as well.

What makes this season's coats really special is the fact that they are voluminous and bright, so you can just wear them over any regular outfit, and you'll be good to go, looking really cozy and chic. Here are seven designs for this winter's coats for women… just choose one of them and slip it on.

Velvet Coats: Velvet coats are distinguished by their luxurious fabrics that are soft enough to sleep in. You can choose a chunky topper that will last you through winter, especially when layered. You can also wear blazer styles that provide a flashy finish for evening wear.

Shaggy Coats: Shaggy coats are big and voluminous. They can be really fuzzy, and with that they add a whole lot of texture to any regular outfit, such as a t-shirt and jeans.

Trench Coats with Updates: Trench coats for women are always in style. They stay in your closet from winter to winter, and they can never go out of style. This season, choose a trench coat that is a bit different than the usual. The updated trench has super stylish details. It either comes in the classic camel shade with fancy buttons and an oversize silhouette, or it's in a flashy material like leather or PVC.

Mixed Material: What we mean with mixed material is a jackets with more than one fabric, one color and lots of designs in them. It can be a varsity jacket or a mid-length peacoat, experimenting with embellishments, graphics, and jewel finishes.

Patchwork: A patchwork coat is amazing! It is full of colors and prints, and adds more than enough vibrancy to any outfit. It's all about striking a color block effect with just one piece.

Puffer: Puffer coats are also jackets that are always in style. They are flexible and extremely comfortable. This season's puffer coats are not long and really big. They are worn off the shoulder in a cropped silhouette.

Military: Military coats have been in style for a couple of cold seasons now, yet they come with few updates this winter. They come with slick lining or smooth plated buttons and fine tailoring too.

Which of these winter jackets for women do you prefer?

Follow the latest fashion news & ideas for the upcoming winter.

Boiled Wool Fashion Apparel – Tips for Cleaning Your Designer Coats and Jackets

Boiled wool fabric is becoming increasingly popular in designer coats, jackets, sweaters and vests. But what is the best way to clean and maintain this fine quality fabric?

First rule of thumb: It is always best to refer to the care instructions on the label of your specific garment.

If youre missing the specific care instructions for your particular garment or just looking for additional information, here are some helpful tips to keep this unique apparel in tip-top shape:

1. DON'T use extensive dry cleaning on your garment.

The wool contains natural oils that protect the fiber. The harsh dry cleaning chemicals can break down these oils and over time can diminish the elegant luster of this unique fabric.

2. Boiled wool fabric worn on the skin can be hand-washed, as needed, in lukewarm water.

A special wool detergent is highly recommended. Turn the garment inside out and Move the item gently through the water. Avoid any stretching, rubbing or wringing of the fabric. Gently press or squeeze the water out; then roll the garment up in a bath towel to remove excess water. Lay flat to dry.

If you wish, when almost dry, you may gently steam your boiled wool garment from the wrong side. Recommended iron temperature setting # 2. Place a damp dish towel between the fabric and iron to avoid scorching. Use a tapping motion, not an ironing motion.

3. Don't launder your apparel in a top-loading washing machine with an agitator.

This can cause excessive felting of the wool. However, a modern front loading washing machine that offers a special "wool cycle" will gently rock the garment back and forth. To dry after machine washing, follow the same instructions listed for hand washing. Take care not to over-launder your boiled wool clothing.

4. Drying your coat or jacket in a dryer is not recommended.

Exposure to motion and heat could cause excess felting of the fabric.

5. Hanging your garment in a steam-filled bathroom can eliminate musty odors and wrinkles.

Within only a few hours the garment will smell naturally fresh; and the exposure to humidity will greatly reduce the effect of wrinkles, thanks to the resilience and form recovery characteristics of the natural wool fabric.

With the right care, your fine boiled wool garments will stay fresh, bright and like new for years to come!