If you have been the proud owner of a German Shepherd, you may have always wanted to ensure that their fur is as beautiful as it can be.
A soft and healthy coat correlates with good health.
So, how can you help grow your German Shepherds coat? Let’s look.
What kind of coat do German Shepherds have?
Before you learn how to improve your German Shepherd coat, you must know the type of coat they have.
German Shepherds are a double-coated breed; they have two layers of fur. The top layer is the Guard coat, also known as topcoat; slightly wiry and abrasive. The under layer is, called Undercoat has a light color and is softer in texture; it comes in huge variety and color.
How do I know if my German Shepherd is healthy?
If a German Shepherd sheds too much and has a dull, thin coat, probably they are not getting the right amount of nutrients.
Signs that a German Shepherd is not healthy:
- Itching
- Dull coat
- Excessive shedding
- Dandruff
- Redness and hot spots
- Skin irritation
You should always seek your vet’s advice if your German Shepherd shows any signs of poor health.
However, I’m sharing some ways to grow German Shepherd hair.
How to improve German Shepherd coat?
In order to improve German Shepherd coat, here are the following steps to follow.
Step 1 – Brush regularly for a shiny coat
Proper grooming is an essential key for a healthy coat. Make sure you brush your dog coat every day; use brushes specially made for German Shepherd; it will make them fluffy and shiny and help get rid of dryness. Remove the dull fur, which can make the coat dull. Use brushes made of natural boar bristles. It helps distribute the natural oil and makes the coat shiny.
Brushing regularly distributes the oil from their gland to the rest of the fur, maintaining a healthy skin. So, a healthy skin leads to a healthy fur.
A monthly grooming session can go a long way in managing any undercoat shedding that your German Shepherd exhibits.
You can use a specialized brush designed to improve your German Shepherd coat. This brush can give your dog a tangle-free coat and less skin dryness.
Step 2 – Feed them high quality protein
Diet matters a lot when it comes to growth of the German Shepherd coat. According to a source, a German Shepherd’s coat is made of 90% protein. If they don’t have a balanced diet with the right amount of protein, the building blocks of the hair’s natural structure will suffer.
German Shepherd dogs tend to have a dull and thin coat and shed too much hair if they do not get the proper nutrition, so it is important to give them enough nutrition and supplements . Ensure you feed your German Shepherd high-quality protein, fats, and carbohydrates; it helps with a shiny coat. They should have omega-3 fatty acids for a full coat. In addition, fish oils and some plant oils such as hempseed and flaxseed improve the shine of the coats.
A good diet is essential to keep your dog physically, mentally and ethically healthy.
There are many foods that claim to help with fur growth. A high quality dog food should contain DHA, Fish Oil, Omega-3, Omega-6, Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and other essential fatty acids.
Since German Shepherds are prone to arthritis and hip dysplasia, a high-quality diet is essential.
Proper food can tremendously reduce hair loss and shedding, and can help your German Shepherd’s hair grow longer, faster and healthier.
Step 3 – Give them supplements for a healthy coat
German Shepherd can lose hair if they lack zinc and causes poor coat and skin. Therefore, supplements containing zinc are a must for German Shepherd. Including all these in their everyday diet will help them have a nice coat and skin and help them have fewer skin problems.
Zinc and Omega deficiency can lead to poor skin and coat condition. Lesions around ears, mouth and eyes, excessive hair loss and cracked paws are all signs of lack of zinc and omega in the German Shepherd’s diet.
Omega fatty acids not only improves coat of the German Shepherd but also improves brain function, reduces itching and scratching, improves heart and reduces inflammation.
Look for a supplement that skin and coat health with zinc and omega fatty acids.
Read: Do German Shepherds have a sensitive stomach
Step 4 – Add glow to the coat with beta carotene
Beta carotene plays an important role in defining the intensity of your German Shepherd’s coat color.
Beta-carotene is very helpful in maintaining the color of the German Shepherd coat; it does the work of fruits and vegetables. Vegetables like baby carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potato improve the German Shepherd coat. Fruits and vegetables full of vitamin A and fiber are recommended for German Shepherd.
Carrots, canned pumpkins intensifies the red and copper tones of your German Shepherd’s coat. Besides adding color to the coat, it also has benefits with eye health. They are easy to source and most German Shepherd’s enjoy their taste.
However, boil or steam carrots and pumpkins for easy digest.
Step 5 – Use coconut oil to moisturize the coat
Coconut oil is highly effective in reducing the dryness of your GSD’s skin. You can either apply it or cook your GSD’s food with coconut oil.
Coconut oil is a natural oil, which can reduce fungus and yeast on their skin. If your pooch has an irritated skin, has hotspots, cracked paws, coconut oil works wonderfully. Besides, when applied to skin, it enhances the quality of the coat visibly.
Coconut oil adds shine and luster to your GSD’s coat.
Take a small amount and rub it into your dog’s fur if it has a dull coat.
Step 6 – Don’t give him regular bath
If you want to keep your German Shepherd’s coat healthy, you should know how often to bathe them
Do not bathe them too often or don’t wait for too long to give them a bath.
How often you bathe them often depends upon the amount of outdoor time your dog gets and their coat length.
Bathing a German Shepherd too often can cause skin dryness, itching and hair loss.
If your dog spends most of the time outside, it’s best to give them bath once a month or else bathing them once every 6 to 8 weeks will do the trick. However, it is not advised to go more than 12 weeks in between baths as this will cause excess oil build-up in the coat.
Excessive oil can block the pores of your German Shepherd’s skin and will prevent the hair from growing.
Conclusion: How do I keep my German Shepherd coat healthy?
If you are struggling to get a gorgeous coat – a thick and shiny coat, taking excellent care of your dog’s nutrition along with supplements and grooming with the right brushes can do the trick.
And do you know along with food and supplements, exercise is also an essential component to your German Shepherd’s health?