PASSIONATE BREEDERS
ARE ALWAYS LEARNING.

Healthy Dog Skin and Coat

Archive document IAMS COMPANY

Iams is since 1999 a registered trademark of The Procter & Gamble Company. This is an archive document used historically by the Iams Pet Food company or for Iams Pet Food products. Any and all mentions included herein needs to be replaced in context of the time and geography of its initial use as circumstances and products may have changed since then. Products and relative data are for US only. No assertion or further use of these documents can be made without P&G's authorization.

HEALTHY SHINE YOU CAN SEE

By Dr. Donna M. Waltz, Ph.D.
The Iams Company

You can't judge a book by its cover, but you can tell a lot about your dog's internal health by its skin and coat.

Nutritional research from The Iams Company shows feeding a complete and balanced diet with omega-6 fatty acids (found in chicken and corn) and omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish meal) in a ratio between 5:1 and 10:1 promotes a healthy skin and coat, along with overall canine health.

To help achieve a healthy, vibrant coat that reflects good overall health, Iams has enhanced all dry Iams ® Dog Foods with the addition of vitamin-rich fish oils. This nutritional enhancement provides dogs with essential nutrients for a healthy heart, liver, kidneys, and skin, as well as a shiny coat.

New research shows it's not the amount, but rather the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that is important in such a diet. Supplying a dietary fatty acid balance in a ratio between 5:1 and 10:1 is key to a healthy skin for dogs, which also can lead to a shiny, luxurious coat in the show arena.

This ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids also is important for optimal reproduction in bitches. The oil in fish meal provide omega-3 fatty acids to achieve this ratio, and the addition of fish meal to dry Iams Dog Foods also enhances protein and quality in the diet.

A key result of the omega ratio is noticeably less dander and flaking of the dog's skin, compared with skin condition when a diet with a higher ratio was fed. For breeders and handlers, this vibrant sheen and rich, luxurious coat can translate into an edge in competition.

Another role of a canine's skin is to block nutrients (such as water) from leaving or harmful bacteria and viruses from entering the body, so feeding a quality, enriched pet food that enhances skin and coat health is the best thing you can do for your dogs. With the fish-meal enhancement, vitamin-rich oil add luster and shine to the coat, while protein helps maintain healthy hair growth.

All breeders want their canines to look and feel happy and healthy. With dogs, exterior appearance acts as a mirror to their inner health. Owners will know their canines can be healthy inside because they see healthy, shiny coats on the outside.

About Dr. Waltz

Dr. Waltz received a B.S. in agriculture and a M.S. in animal science from The Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in animal science (nutrition) from the University of Minnesota. After graduation, she spent over five years as a primary reviewer at the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine in the division of animal feeds. Dr. Waltz is currently the Manager of Veterinary Communications Development with The Iams Company. She has been involved in various stray animal rescue organizations and currently shares her life with nine pets.