Understanding the Gut

Why Does My Dog Have a Dull or Flaky Coat?

A dog's coat can reflect many things, including grooming, season, diet and overall condition. When coat quality changes, it is worth thinking about nutrient intake, digestion and the wider health picture rather than assuming it is purely a skin problem.

Introduction

A shiny, comfortable coat is one of the most visible signs owners associate with a dog looking well.

When the coat becomes dull, dry or flaky, the cause is not always obvious.

Sometimes the explanation is simple, such as seasonal shedding, grooming or environmental conditions.

At other times, diet and nutrient availability may be part of the picture.

Skin and coat are constantly renewing tissues. They depend on a steady supply of protein, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

That means coat quality can sometimes reflect what is happening further upstream in nutrition and digestion.

Understanding the issue

What is happening?

Hair and skin require nutrients to grow and maintain normal structure.

Protein provides amino acids used to build keratin and other structural components.

Dietary fats contribute essential fatty acids.

Vitamins and minerals support a wide range of normal metabolic processes involved in skin and hair growth.

But nutrients must first be digested and absorbed before the body can use them.

This is where the digestive system becomes relevant.

A nutritionally complete diet is important, but so is the dog's ability to break down and absorb what that diet provides.

The gut and skin are also connected through immune and metabolic pathways, although this relationship is complex and still an active area of research.

Common factors

What can influence it?

Several everyday factors can influence coat appearance.

Season

Many dogs shed heavily at particular times of year.

Grooming

Brushing frequency, bathing and coat type can all affect appearance.

Diet

Protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals all contribute to normal skin and coat maintenance.

Digestibility

Nutrients need to be broken down and absorbed before they can be used by the body.

Age

Older dogs may experience changes in coat texture or grooming habits.

Environment

Heating, dry air, swimming and repeated washing can all alter skin and coat condition.

Underlying health

Persistent itching, hair loss, redness or skin lesions can have many possible causes and should not be assumed to be nutritional.

What you may notice

What can you observe?

Look at the whole pattern rather than just whether the coat seems shiny.

Flaking

Is there visible dandruff or dry skin?

Texture

Does the coat feel softer, rougher or more brittle than usual?

Shine

Has there been a noticeable change in lustre?

Hair loss

Is shedding generalised or are there distinct bald areas?

Itching or licking

Repeated scratching, chewing or paw licking can suggest a separate skin concern.

Redness or soreness

Inflamed skin deserves veterinary attention.

Diet and appetite

Has anything changed in the dog's food intake or eating pattern?

Body condition

A dull coat alongside unexplained weight loss or poor condition is more significant than coat change alone.

Everyday considerations

Start with the basics.

Make sure your dog is eating a complete and appropriate diet.

Keep grooming suited to the individual coat type and avoid excessive bathing with products that may dry the skin.

If you are evaluating a nutritional change, give it enough time to judge fairly. Hair and skin do not remodel overnight.

Try not to introduce several new foods or supplements simultaneously.

That makes it difficult to understand which change, if any, made a difference.

If the coat change is persistent or accompanied by itching, redness, hair loss, soreness or other physical signs, veterinary assessment is appropriate.

When to speak to your vet

Speak to your vet if coat or skin changes are persistent, significant or accompanied by other signs.

Veterinary advice is particularly appropriate if you notice:

repeated scratching or chewing
persistent paw licking
redness or inflamed skin
bald patches
sores or broken skin
marked flaking
unpleasant skin odour
unexplained weight loss
reduced appetite
lethargy
recurrent skin or ear problems

Many different conditions can affect the skin and coat, so persistent changes should not be assumed to be caused by diet or digestion alone.

Where CaniNectar fits

CaniNectar is a complementary feed designed for everyday nutritional support in healthy dogs.

It contains enzyme-rich malt extract, or ERME, and the nutritional rationale begins with digestion and nutrient availability.

Skin and coat changes were among the more visible observations reported across CaniNectar field research.

In the independent Blue Cross study, 7 of 24 dogs showed a clinically significant improvement in skin score over four weeks, representing 29.2% of the group.

Professional observers also reported changes including softer, shinier coats and reduced flaking.

Examples included reports that coat shine improved, that coats became softer and shinier, and that flakiness reduced during the trial period.

These findings are encouraging, but they came from observational studies and do not show that CaniNectar treats dermatological disease.

CaniNectar is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent skin conditions. Persistent itching, redness, hair loss or other concerning skin changes should be assessed by a vet.

References

Further reading:

Blue Cross 2025. Independent 4-week observational CaniNectar trial in 25 rescue dogs.

CaniNectar UK Professional Trial, Phases 1 and 2, 2025–2026.

Case LP, Daristotle L, Hayek MG, Raasch MF. Canine and Feline Nutrition: A Resource for Companion Animal Professionals. Mosby Elsevier.

Pilla R, Suchodolski JS. The Role of the Canine Gut Microbiome and Metabolome in Health and Gastrointestinal Disease. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2020;6:498.

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