We recently had a woman come to visit our home several times. Every time she visited she made comments about what great condition our dogs’ coats are in and what nice white teeth they all have. “You must spend hours brushing them,” she said. Yes, our dogs are show dogs, so I do brush out burrs when I see them and not allow knots to get bad. However, I do not brush them on a daily basis or go to any extremes. Our dogs are encouraged to be dogs. If there is a muddy pond to romp in. we always cheer them on! Their external appearance is directly related to how we raise them – a natural diet, chemical free and tons of exercise.
A dog’s outward appearance says a lot about what is going on internally. As with people, dry skin, brittle nails, oily coat or obsessive grooming reflect the internal health and mental state of the dog. When people bring a dog to see me for training or a consultation, the first thing I look at is the dog’s appearance.
Odor: It always surprises me how many people learn to live with “that dog smell”. Not to say dogs don’t have some odor, but an overly sweet, sour or yeasty smell means your dog’s body is eliminating yeast or other toxins from their system – most likely a cause of poor diet – one riddled with too much grain and by-product.
Coat Condition: Dry, oily, brittle, thin or matted coats are signs of a problem. Many of the causes can be dietary ors environmental. If your dog has a dry coat, most of the time a diet better suited to your dog that includes added omegas and essential fatty acid can solve the problem from the inside out. Coat condition can also tell you things about the dog’s mental state. Excessive grooming – shown by red tint and chew marks), if not related to itching, can mean that the dog needs more exercise and mental stimulation or they are anxious about something.
Teeth and Gums: Our three year old Aussie boasts white teeth, no tarter and beautiful gums. I have never brushed or cleaned her teeth. Her teeth are a reflection of her raw diet, which includes chewing raw meaty bones on a regular basis. Bad teeth and bad breath is another sign of inappropriate diet as a dog’s digestive system is not built to handle grain and it causes tarter build-up and bad breath. We know from human studies that the build up of tarter can cause more than just bad teeth; it can lead to all sorts of illness.
In the case of a dog’s coat and external appearance, you can tell a lot by the cover. As your dog’s guardian, it is part of your duty to be aware of these signs and act to help your dog live the healthiest life. Odors, tartar and excess dander can all be signs that your dog’s internal system is struggling. For most people who take vitamins and supplements for their own health, learning about those external signs and that they have dietary solutions will come naturally. It is never too late to start reading your dog and making changes to their diet and lifestyle that will improve their appearance and health.