There are estimates that, in an average urban veterinary practice, between 20 and 25 percent of the cases involve skin problems. Fleas and flea dermatitis are by far the most common cause of skin problems in dogs. Another common problem is seborrhea, an oily, scaly skin condition, which can be controlled with proper treatment.
Nonspecific dry skin—dry skin without any obvious physical or external cause—is another common problem among house dogs. The dog has dry, flaky skin that itches and a dull coat. This condition is more common among urban dogs that are house pets, because they live in artificially heated areas with low humidity; this tends to dry Out the skin, just as similar conditions can in humans.
If your dog has dry skin and a dull coat, first see your veterinarian, who can categorize your dog’s coat and skin type. It could be that your dog belongs to a breed whose coat is supposed to be coarse and harsh, and that there’s really no problem. According to Dr. Kirk, average own ers should not expect their dogs to always look like show dogs.
If your veterinarian thinks that the dog’s coat and skin are abnormally dry for the breed, he or she will review the possible causes. Some dogs need far more fat in their diet than they may be getting. Another potential cause of dry skin is overbathing; owners of house dogs tend to be more fastidious about grooming, because their dogs live in close proximity to them. But overbathing dries out the skin.
Brushing your dog more often may help; it stimulates the skin and increases oil production, which may relieve dryness.
Some dogs, particularly bored dogs, develop a condition called lick sores. They lick and lick one or two specific spots, until the hair is gone and the skin is irritated. Dogs with lick sores generally need far more activity than they are getting. Calluses, thickened areas of the skin, might develop from lying on a hard floor; provide padding for the dog to cure this issue.
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