Getting Under Their Skin

We all love the feel of our pet's coat against our cheeks.  When petting, grooming or cuddling with your pet, do you ever think what the skin and coat is really all about?

Skin is considered an organ, just as the heart, lungs, liver and brain.  Organs are made up of millions of cells, which must have good nutrition to function properly.  Just as the heart beats and sends blood throughout the body, the skin has its job too.  The skin maintains a barrier between the outside world and the interior of the dog and cat.  It keeps substances such as dirt, bacteria, fungus, mites and chemicals from entering the body.  It is truly a remarkable organ.

Skin is made up of three layers.  The top layer is called the epidermis and consists of cells that die and are replaced constantly.  If they die too fast, you see dead cells and notice your pet has dandruff.  Hairs grow from hair follicles deep within the skin.  Each hair follicle goes through a cycle of growth in which old hair is shed and new hair takes its place.  Pets shed due to many different factors including genetics, temperature, length of the day and amount of nutrition available for growth.  Oil glands are attached to the hair follicles, producing a substance called sebum, a mixture of fats and proteins.  Sebum waterproofs the skin, deters bacteria and fungus from causing infection and keeps the coat shiny.

The skin is a complicated and important organ that requires proper nutrition so that it can work at maximum efficiency.  A healthy and shiny coat also requires adequate protein, vitamins and minerals, as well as fats (or oil).  The nutrients your pet receives from food are sent to the skin and coat last, so it's important that your pet get an optimum diet that will satisfy the nutrient requirements of the entire body.  That is why they say that the coat of a dog or cat is a mirror of a pet's health.

Remember to bathe your pet regularly based on the condition of the skin and coat.  A dog that romps through puddles and meadows during the summer should be bathed after his play.  A dog that stays in the house most of the time, except for walks and rides in the car, should be bathed every 4-6 weeks.  Oily dogs should be bathed more often, sometimes once weekly.  Cats should be bathed every season to remove the dead hair and skin cells.  However, sometimes bathing alone is not sufficient for good skin and coat health.

Life's Abundance™ Skin & Coat System is specifically designed to sooth the itching and scratching that comes from a variety of sources.  It consists of three products that tackle skin health two ways: from the outside, sending soothing herbs and minerals deep within the skin and from the inside, supplying the body with essential nutritional oils and special nutrients to get your pet's skin and coat looking and feeling healthy.  The Soothing Mist topical spray (made with aloe vera gel, zinc and other soothing and skin-enhancing herbs) is formulated for irritated areas of the skin.  The Revitalizing Shampoo contains natural, wholesome ingredients, including oatmeal, aloe vera, tea tree oil, lavender and marigold.  It gently cleans away dirt without drying the skin and it works in conjunction with the Soothing Mist.  But it's not enough to simply treat an animal externally.  Most topical skin applications fail because it's important to tackle skin health from the inside as well as the outside.

Life's Abundance™ Skin & Coat Formula combines special oils (known as omega 3 fatty acids) with skin and coat support nutrients such as vitamins A, D and E to promote a shiny, healthy and full coat.  Since these chewable tablets are made with a special taste appeal, even finicky pets will love them!

With the Life's Abundance™ Skin Care System, your pet can have a "furry nice" any time of the year!  All Life's Abundance products are formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks, well renowned holistic veterinarian.  Read more about Dr. Jane here!