How to Care for a Dog’s Winter Skin and Coat #BayerExpertCare
Question: What is your dog’s biggest organ? Answer: His skin. Surprised? The same hold true for humans. Since dry, flaky skin is a common complaint of people during the winter months, it also makes sense to care for a dog’s skin, too. Indeed it is very important to know how to care for a dog’s winter skin and coat.
During a recent trip to PetSmart® , we discovered the Bayer® ExpertCare™ line of products specially formulated for dogs and cats. For the past three weeks, we’ve been using the spot-on skin moisturizer on Dexter, our Cocker Spaniel. In fact, the little man helped us pick some goodies out at PetSmart while his moms perused the health and wellness aisle. Here’s a typical reaction my dog has when he sees PetSmart:
Why Your Dog Needs Extra Moisture in the Winter Months
- Forced heat indoors
- Lowered humidity inside
- Dry heat
- Cold temps outdoors
As a Cocker Mom of nearly 25 years, I know the importance of essential fatty acids to support a dog’s skin hydration. A lot of pet parents may not realize that good health starts from the inside out, but that the outside coat and skin are imperative to proper health, too.
How Bayer ExpertCare Spot On Skin Moisturizer Works
Inside the box are four cute little vials that are called pipettes. It is recommended to apply one pipette every week for two months and then one every two weeks for as long as necessary. Basically, a box or two will get you through the winter months, more as desired.
Simply part the coat between your dog’s shoulders and empty the contents directly onto the skin in one or two spots, like this:
Since Dexter has a thicker coat, it is recommended to brush the area of application point the day of application to spread it out and avoid any residue. That’s it. Just don’t bathe your pooch for 2 days afterwards. The scent is very light and did dissipate on Dexter. It is light and airy and definitely not greasy to my touch. It feels like liquid silk for the skin.
What’s It Made Of?
My rule of thumb as a dedicated dog mom is this: I will not use anything on my dog that I would not use on myself, and I stand by my word on this. Here is the exact ingredient list from the Bayer ExpertCare spot-on skin moisturizer:
Bio-Diffusing Agent, Olus (Vegetable Oil), Gelling Agent, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Bud Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor) Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Oil, Origanum Compactum Oil, Gaultheria Procumbens (Winter-Green) Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol
These are all ingredients I feel comfortable to use on my skin and on my dog’s skin to support a healthy coat. Make sure you purchase the pipettes that meet your dog’s weight range.
This is the face of my happy boy the week of his first application:
And this is what my dog’s coat looks like after three weeks, using two pipettes of Bayer ExpertCare spot on skin moisturizer (mud not included hehe):
A Few Other Tips to Keep Dog Skin Healthy in Winter Months
Care for the Paws and Pads: A dog’s pads are more resilient than other parts of his body, but chemicals can be absorbed through them. In turn, chemicals like antifreeze can be licked by dogs and cause severe problems. Wipe dog pads off thoroughly after a walk, perhaps using some warm water and a washcloth to melt any ice balls that may have formed on the feet.
Cover Up: Dogs and cats get cold, particularly short-haired breeds, senior citizens, puppies, and pets with medical conditions. Look for an insulated sweater with a turtleneck, that covers the belly, and that allows for protection from neck to tip of tail.
Moisture in the Air: Dry air in the home can make pets itchier, cause dry noses, upper respiratory infections, more dander, and dry throats. Consider a humidifier.
Safety First: As the temperatures drop, the thermostat rises indoors. The usage of an electric heater or fireplace should be done with caution. Tails, fur and paws that come too close to flames, hot surfaces or the coils of an electric heater can be damaged, and an unattended heater could be knocked over by a curious pet. To make sure your dog is warm indoors, and that fire hazards are diminished, never leave a heater on without someone in attendance.
Consider gifting your dog with the gift of good health and peruse the aisles of PetSmart, and take your pooch with you: Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcomed there.
Let us know how you like the line of Bayer ExpertCare products and/or what you do to keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy in the colder months.
Here’s the good dog health!
Great post! I definitely agree! Dogs need more moisture, especially in the winter time! I use a conditioning treatment on the girls!
I know winter can be so harsh on my skin. I never thought about it being the same for our pets, but of course that makes good sense!
Thanks for the tips! My dog definitely gets dry skin in the winter 🙁 Poor Milo.
Scooby in the winter suffers from the dry heat, fireplace, and wearing sweaters all seem to pull the moisture out of his skin. We have used everything on him from moisturizers to changing washing detergent to make the dander at a minimum. Jenny and I don’t have a problem but we both have long hair and don’t wear clothing or sleep under covers.
After 2 treatments of the spot on moisturizer we seen a big difference in Scooby’s coat. He hasn’t been scratching as much and his skin doesn’t have dry flakes everywhere. This will definitely be put on our must have list.
Great post. Love the #BayerExpertCare Line of Products. Mary d Dog has started using some of them also.
Your tip to only use products on your dog that you would be comfortable using on yourself is key. This sounds like a big help for dry skin issues for our St Bernard, especially in the winter months!
I had no idea that a dog needed skin care as I do. You learn something new everyday!
This article is so timely and informative. I actually made a copy of all your suggestions and posted it on my fridge. I am definitely getting the pipettes. I never knew these existed, I appreciate you sharing this with your audience.
I cannot believe how broad Bayer’s line of pet care products is, I’ve been learning about all their products from other bloggers and seeing them at PetSmart! That video of Dex getting super excited to go shopping at PetSmart is so adorable, he really loves that place doesn’t he? I like the simple application of this moisturizer, I wondered how doggie moisturizer would be applied to dogs with thicker coats like my Husky. Thanks for a great review.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Her skin/coat looks great! I am glad you only use the best on her, you are a great dog mom!
I agree, her coat does look lovely. And the bib makes me laugh. <3
I didn’t even think that a dog could have skin issues in the winter.
I sure have a lot to learn about dogs!!
These are helpful ideas! The Bayer ExpertCare Spot-on moisturizers sound so easy to apply.
I always worry about my dogs’ winter coats and skin. One of our dogs has such sensitive skin and everything seems to be a problem for her.
It’s so important t keep a dog’s skin and coat healthy! I haven’t heard of ExpertCare but I’m going to mention it to my mom who has furbabies.
I had no idea that so much affected a dogs’s skin during the winter! Thanks for sharing! I will have to check out Bayer Expert Care for my dog!
I LOVE the Mom loves me photo – super cute! Extra Care definitely sounds like a great product for dogs in different climates all year long.
Glad you posted on this- cracked paws were a HUGE issue when we lived on the east coast!
Thanks, for sharing these ideas, as I’m soon to be married this will really help me.