Coat care

Responsible dog and cat owners naturally know how important regular grooming is. After all, the coat is far more than just a cosy exterior that is wonderful to stroke. The countless fine hairs protect the animal from the weather, form a first barrier against pathogens and also serve as protection against injuries and mechanical influences. In addition, the coat is a calling card for the state of health. If it is beautifully even and shiny, we can usually assume that the dog or cat is doing well. Conversely, an uneven, brittle, dull or even scaly coat often indicates inadequate grooming, a parasite infestation or an illness. In this case, a vet should be consulted first to rule out a possible illness. If the animal is otherwise healthy, the main focus should be on appropriate and careful grooming. And even if the coat appears to be in good condition, regular grooming should never be neglected. This involves more than just a few brush strokes before going to bed!

The right coat care for dogs and cats

If a dog has a very short coat (e.g. Labrador or Great Dane), it is sufficient to use a brush or comb once a week. However, the coat should then be brushed or combed very thoroughly and all over the body. A grooming glove can be used to groom extremely short-haired dogs. The coat of long-haired dogs can easily become matted. This also makes it more difficult to find ticks. Long-haired dogs should therefore be brushed or combed several times a week or even daily. The same applies to cats, even if they are only indoor cats. Bathing is not necessary for healthy and well-groomed dogs and should be avoided altogether for cats. Exception: The animal has previously rolled in animal carcasses, faeces or manure. In this case, however, a moisturising coat care shampoo specially developed for dogs and/or cats should definitely be used. This is because every bath damages the natural protective coating of the coat and skin: germs, bacteria and pathogens then have an easy time of it.

Coat care with special care products

The skin function of dogs and cats also benefits from a little support. A good conditioning oil is particularly useful for hair loss, skin irritation and dandruff as part of coat care. If the animal’s coat is changing or the coat feels rather dull overall, a grooming oil can also be helpful. Of course, it depends on the right composition. Omega-3 oils have proved particularly effective. They not only help people with sensitive skin that is prone to inflammation, but also dogs and cats. However, pet owners should also use special pet care products here, as the formulas are precisely tailored to the needs of our four-legged friends. When selecting a grooming oil for coat care, it is advisable to look for a high content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docohexaenoic acid (DHA). In principle, several care oils would be suitable for coat care, but only algae oil is truly vegan and sustainable. With the appropriate know-how, the unsaturated oils can be stabilised well. The process has been tried and tested in cosmetics for years. Sometimes the skin of dogs and cats also needs particularly intensive care. This is the case, for example, if the animal has minor injuries, calluses or scars. Dermatitis or erythema also require more intensive skin care. Manuka honey is particularly suitable here. In combination with a rich water-in-oil emulsion, initial successes can be seen quickly in many cases. Irritated skin areas are soothed and the animal feels more comfortable.

Paw care, an important part of coat care

We humans wear shoes to protect our feet from cold, heat, injuries and excessive strain. The paws of dogs and cats are completely defenceless against all this. Paw diseases and so-called interdigital dermatitis are therefore not uncommon. Broken glass, which often lies on pavements or in the grass, is also a danger to dogs’ and cats’ paws. In winter, ice, lumps of snow and road salt can damage paws. As with coat care, manuka honey is also suitable for paw care. It has an antibacterial effect, promotes wound healing and can even kill some parasites. If a dog or cat has burnt its paws (e.g. due to hot tarmac in summer), the injured skin is supplied with important nutrients. At the same time, the manuka honey serves to seal the wound to the outside so that no further pathogens can penetrate. It is particularly suitable for high-quality ointment formulations.

Effective products for paw and coat care from Elbpfoten

Elbpfoten wants dogs and cats to feel good. With our coat care products, we help them to keep or get a healthy, shiny coat and strong, resilient paws. We are happy to formulate high-quality paw and coat care products for your target group. We use first-class and carefully selected raw materials that are very well tolerated.