Interacting with our pets daily allows us to see and touch their skin and coat. While we may often focus on the coat quality from an aesthetic perspective, it is crucial to know that a healthy skin and coat are essential for our pets' overall well-being.
For example, did you know that the skin is the largest organ of a pet's body? Protected by the coat, the skin is a barrier for keeping bacteria and viruses from entering the pet’s body, while also regulating temperature and preventing water loss.
It also allows the pet to feel heat, cold, pain, pressure, and itch. Any damage to the skin could expose the cat or dog to various health conditions, both minor and severe.
Common skin disorders in dogs and cats
Skin issues are a common reason for pets visiting the veterinarian clinic, with allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis being frequently observed. These conditions can lead to itching, redness, hair loss, and discomfort, with ongoing inflammation being a key driver.
Dogs often scratch their face, neck, and ears or lick their paws, while cats tend to focus on their head and neck, potentially causing harm to their skin. Since managing these conditions can be a challenge, the role of nutrition as a possible treatment option becomes increasingly important.
Read more: How Can Marine Omega-3 Nutrients from Krill Improve Mobility in Cats and Dogs
Nutrients for skin and coat health
Nutrients like essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins play a significant role in maintaining a healthy skin and coat in cats and dogs. The lipid skin cell barrier, responsible for the skin's water-repellent function, relies on the overall dietary fat intake, including the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 (such as ALA, EPA, DHA, LA, GLA, and AA).
These are crucial for maintaining healthy skin and a shiny coat in pets. The omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid (LA) is the most abundant essential fatty acid in the skin, playing a key role in maintaining the skin's protective barrier intact. Meanwhile, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are most important as an immune modulator that improves skin health. All essential fatty acids play a vital role in ensuring optimal skin hydration.
Skin disorders due to lack of dietary fat or specific essential fatty acids are not commonly seen in today's pet population, thanks to the wide availability of adequate commercial pet foods. In some cases where cats or dogs are fed low-quality diets or unbalanced homemade meals, these skin disorders may still occur.
However, dermatitis may be caused by abnormal essential fatty acid metabolism in pets, resulting in a deficiency of important fatty acids in the skin. Furthermore, an overreactive immune system triggering allergies and atopies is often the cause behind dermatitis. Such cases may be managed by food change or fatty acids supplementation (see the table below for how certain dog breeds may predispose to certain skin diseases). 
Source: P. Roudebush and W.D. Schoenherr. Skin and Hair Disorders. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th edition. Mark Morris Institute; 2010
Zinc, a crucial trace element, also plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin. The skin is the third richest in zinc, and a deficiency can lead to various skin disorders such as hair loss, skin ulceration, and dermatitis. The latter may also positively respond to zinc treatment, particularly in breeds like Bull Terriers, Siberian Husky and Malamutes as well as in rapidly growing puppies.
Vitamins A (retinol) and E (tocopherol) are also well known for their significant impact on skin health, not only in addressing deficiencies but also in treating various skin conditions such as seborrheic skin, keratinization disorders, dermatosis, and rash-inducing issues. As an example, vitamin A-responsive dermatosis has been identified in breeds like Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, and Miniature Schnauzers.
Read more: How Can Marine Omega-3 Nutrients from Krill Improve Mobility in Cats and Dogs
Inflammatory response and marine omega-3 treatment options
Once inside the cell, both omega-3 and 6 play a crucial role as precursors to signaling molecules that can affect immune response. Omega-6 fatty acids will produce molecules that may increase inflammation, while omega-3 fatty acids produce those that may decrease inflammation. This distinction is particularly crucial when pets experience inflammatory-driven skin diseases.
To summarize the concept of inflammation, this is a defense mechanism triggered by the pet's immune system in response to perceived threats to its well-being. However, when inflammation lingers unresolved and transitions into a chronic state, it can escalate into a health problem.
The “defense” cells are actively killing unwanted substances, and healthy cells and tissues are also harmed in the process. If the immune reaction is short, as in hours or a few days, the restoration phase will repair all cell damage.
In chronic situations, the body tissue is harmed by “defense” cells over time, and the restoration phase is not initiated. Hence, in addition to killing harmful substances, the immune system is harming the pet’s bodily tissue and eventually its overall health. These types of chronic inflammatory processes are seen in multiple conditions affecting the skin, and they can play a major part in illness progression.
The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are well known for their anti-inflammatory effects, breaking the vicious cycle of chronic inflammation, and therefore beneficial as treatment in skin conditions.
Furthermore, a combination of omega-6 fatty acid GLA and omega-3 fatty acid DHA has been shown to reduce histamine release, alleviating itchy skin and reducing inflammation in cases of atopic dermatitis.
When supplementing dogs or cats with omega-3 in cases of treating inflammatory dermatosis, scientists recommend a dosage of 50 – 300 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per kilogram of body weight per day. This equates to 0.35%-1.8% of omega-3 fatty acids on a dry matter basis in their food, as suggested by Roudebush et al. in Skin and Hair Disorders, Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th edition, 2010.
The same scientists agree that up to 50% of dogs with allergic itching will improve if provided the right amount of dietary omega-3 fatty acids, as long as there are no abnormal bacteria or yeast present.
Read more: Krill is Nature’s Superfood for Combating Chronic Inflammation in Pets
Conclusion
Proper nutrition with the right amount of essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins is key to healthy skin and a shiny coat. However, even with optimal nutrition in place, cats and dogs may still experience discomfort and pain from inflammatory-driven allergies and skin conditions.
In such cases, marine fatty acids EPA and DHA can contribute to reducing this prolonged and negative immune response, and zinc and vitamins may support in resolution and recovery.
Including krill (QRILL Pet PL Nutri Plus) in the daily diet of cats and dogs provides a rich source of phospholipid-bound omega-3s (EPA and DHA), along with zinc and vitamin E. This can help maintain healthy skin and coat and will also address skin irritations and inflammation-related skin disorders. The effectiveness of this supplement depends on the recommended inclusion rate in the pets' daily food or supplement regimen.
