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skin & coat care

Problem solversWhen it comes to skin and coat care for pets, there are a number of standout manufacturers

that provide not only effective products, but also sound advice.

By Sara Hodon

Healthy skin and coat is vital to a pet’s overall wellness, so pet owners should be diligent in checking their animal companions regularly and noting anything out of the ordinary. A pet’s behavior—namely excessive

scratching, licking or biting a particular area—can also indicate a problem. Fortunately, there are a number of products dedicated to addressing a wide range of skin and coat issues. Here is a closer look at some of the standouts in the category:

Beating YeastAccording to Adelia Ritchie, PhD, founder

of DERMagic Skin Care for Animals, retailers should remind pet owners to be watchful for signs of yeast on their furry friends, which is the number-one skin problem for dogs and often mistaken for a skin allergy. “It’s the biggest problem for dogs, and another huge problem is an eagerness to prescribe steroids and antibiotics without testing for bacterial yeast infection,” she says. “Check the belly and genital area frequently for black specks or grayness. This is not from old age, but rather from yeast, and it needs to be dealt with immediately. DERMagic products are strong yeast fighters with no side effects. Check the feet for rust-colored stains between the toes. This is another sign of yeast that’s easy to treat before it gets more serious.”

DERMagic’s Skin Rescue Lotion and its partner, DERMagic Skin Rescue Shampoo Bar, are organic products that contain sulfur and neem oil, and they work together to effectively fight yeast. “We also offer a powerful one-two-punch for eliminating fleas without flea drops or other meds, with our food-grade, certified-organic Flea Dust and our organic Flea Shampoo Bar, both made with organic diatomaceous earth,” Ritchie adds. “These products are 100-percent effective, yet they are gentle and safe. Flea ‘drops’ can be irritating, cause rashes, or even lead to hair loss and black skin on sensitive dogs.”

the Power of MudMadra Mór uses a combination of mineral-rich mud in its

product line of massage applications to address hot spots—itchy, irritating dry patches that cause dogs discomfort and frustration. Jacqueline Hynes, president of Madra Mór Mud, says pets’ skin care should be taken seriously by pet parents and advocates a balanced diet, along with daily brushing and routine massages to ensure a healthy coat.

“Dry skin is exposed and vulnerable to absorbing irritants. Pet parents should seek natural products that gently remove undesirables without weakening—or even better, those that strengthen—their dog’s protective layer,” she says.

Retailer education is critical to consumers’ education, explains Hynes. “Remind pet parents that thin, delicate skin resides under all that fur, requiring nurturing,” she explains. “Our convenient, premixed, luxurious mud treatments absorb and adsorb—promoting healthy skin regeneration resulting in a beautiful, shiny coat.”

Madra Mór’s popular Mud product line includes Soothing Mud, which helps to heal blemishes and calm irritated, sensitive skin; Mobility Mud, whose cooling properties stimulates circulation and soothes an itch; and Shed Safely Mud, which “contains plant and fruit extracts that provide alpha-hydroxy acids to deep clean hair follicles and provide intense hydration,” as Hynes explains.

Another best seller in the company’s skin and coat line is its Flea Relief, described by Hynes as a “power mud full of strengthening nutrients and lipids from our earth.” And just like humans, massages are good for pets, too. “Massages are enjoyable and beneficial; encouraging sebaceous gland activity, helping flush toxins, releasing congestion and supporting the dog’s overall wellness,” she says.

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skin & coat care

GivinG Bath time a CharGeThera-Clean has taken the typical

pet bath-time ritual to another level with its unique micro-bubble formula that penetrates areas of a pet’s skin that shampoos normally can’t reach. “Thera-Clean produces a new kind of clean that the pet world is just starting

to experience,” says Kyle Darling, president and CEO. “The system is like a regular bath—it produces millions of tiny microbubbles…it can get into the hair follicles and remove all of the bacteria, dirt and debris that have been lingering there. The dog’s skin, eyes and mouth are totally safe—it’s 100-percent chemical

free, providing a clean on the pet that you’ve never seen before.”

The science behind the system lays in the bubbles’ ionic negative charge, which bonds with the pet’s positive ionic charge. “The skin has no choice but to receive the bubbles—all of the debris that has been lingering in the follicle will be rinsed out. The microbubbles eat away at the crust that has formed on the follicle,” he explains.

As a fairly new company, Darling says right now the focus is on getting the word out about Thera-Clean. “We’re just trying to get the pet world in North America to know that our system is out there, and it’s just water and bubbles. It’s not just for dogs with a skin condition—it’s for every type of dog.”

all-natural approaChSan Francisco-based Opie & Dixie’s

company philosophy emphasizes the importance of natural ingredients in its product lines, as opposed to chemicals or synthetics that can create or exacerbate a pet’s skin condition.

A healthy skin and coat can be

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maintained on the inside, as well, says company founder Debbie Guardian. “I recommended feeding a balanced omega-3, -6 and -9 essential fatty-acid supplement,” she says. “Essential fatty acids not only promote healthy skin and coat, but they have the added benefit of balancing cholesterol levels, improving cardiovascular circulation, organ function and immunity levels,” she explains. “EFAs also encourage a healthy metabolic rate and increased energy levels. It’s important to seek out a product with all three essential fatty acids, not just omega-3, which is the most common. Flaxseed and hempseed are balanced. For a supplement, I love Ultra Oil.”

Opie & Dixie’s product lines include a shampoo that contains organic oatmeal and organic almond oil, which work together to soothe dermatitis and control dandruff. Another big seller is the Snoutstik. “I can’t believe how many compliments it gets,” Guardian says. “A common condition among older dogs and ‘squashed-nose’ dogs is dryness and crustiness of the nose. Like all our other products, the Snoutstik is 100-percent natural and contains ingredients that not only moisturize and soothe, but actually diminish the condition.”

Another popular item is the Healing Paw Balm, which helps to moisturize and soothe sore, calloused paws. Guardian’s personal favorite among the company’s products is the Rosehips Dry Shampoo mist. She uses it on her own dogs for a quick freshening-up when there’s no time for a full bath, “but the girls still need to be cleaned, detangled and conditioned. They’re big on rolling around in grass and sand, so it’s a must-have at our house!”

InnovatIng FIrst-aIdOne-off emergencies like a scratch,

bite or other wound needs some specialized attention that even the most diligent skin and coat care may

not be able to address. The team at Minneapolis, Minn.-based Protégé Biomedical sought a different solution to the other topical first-aid treatments on the market with the launch of ClotIt, a brand-new product that hit store shelves in early 2014.

ClotIt is a skin treatment that helps to stop the bleeding of minor to severe wounds, ranging from a scratch to ulcers, to bleeding hot spots. It’s applied by squeezing the powder directly onto the affected area and applying pressure.

“Most bleeding stops instantly, depending on the size of the injury,” explains Susan Wuollett, co-founder and president of Protégé Biomedical. What sets ClotIt apart from similar products is that it is a colorless powder. “The powders on the market now are yellowish brown and stain the coats, skin, and the floor and fingers of whoever applies it,” Wuollett says. “The powders on the market today work as vasoconstrictors to constrict the blood vessels and slow the bleeding to the wound site. Ours does that too, but it also has rapid absorption and clotting factor activators to actually stop the bleeding in the area.”

ClotIt forms a complete clot over the wound and as soon as the bleeding stops, Wuollett says, it won’t start again unless the new scab is disturbed. “We can stop the bleeding in ear cuts, major flesh wounds, et cetera,” she says. “Of

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skin & coat care

course, if the wound is large enough to require stitches, we recommend that they seek veterinary attention.”

Addressing AllergiesPet King Brands’ ZYMOX dermatology line targets skin

allergies, the most common condition in both dogs and cats that can be caused by a long list of factors. “Allergies tend

to weaken the immune system and create an environment

for bacteria, fungi and yeast overgrowth,” says Naomi Kirby, DVM MS, technical services manager at Pet

King Brands. “Since it’s often hard to control the allergic triggers, managing the complications of allergies becomes very

important to keep a pet comfortable and reduce risk of hot spots and infections.” The ZYMOX line specifically addresses allergic reactions, like ear and skin infections and hot spots, which can be uncomfortable and generally make pets miserable.

Three products comprise the dermatology line—the ZYMOX Ear Solution, ZYMOX Shampoo and Conditioning Leave-in Rinse, and the ZYMOX Topical Cream and Spray. The ear solution works to clear up infections caused by bacteria, fungi or yeast; the shampoo and conditioner both feature the company’s patented LP3 Enzyme System, with the addition of vitamin D3 to help relieve surface irritations, hydrate the skin and provide natural inflammation relief.

“The Conditioning Rinse can be lightly rinsed off or left on the coat,” Kirby explains. “Both shampoo and conditioning rinse are non-toxic and leave no greasy residue.” The cream and spray work together to fight skin infections caused by bacteria, fungi or yeast. The products were offered exclusively to veterinarians for over a decade, but they have recently been made available through specialty pet retailers. n

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advertiser index

Andis ................................................................. (800) 558-9441 ............................www.andis.com..........................................................................................24

Angels’ Eyes ............................................... (866) 350-4569 ............................www.angelseyesonline.com ............................................................15

B-Air .................................................................. (877) 800-BAIR .............................www.b-air.com ................................................................................................4

Bass Brushes ............................................. (818) 882-4247 ............................www.bassbrushes.com .......................................................................23

Bow Wow Bling ........................................ (206) 242-4366 ............................www.bowwowbling.net........................................................................14

ComfortGroom .......................................... (877) OK-GROOM .......................www.comfortgroom.com....................................................................11

Eqyss ................................................................. (800) 526-7469 .............................www.eqyss.com.............................................................................................3

Forever Stainless Steel ...................... (866) 774-EVER ............................www.foreverstainlesssteel.com ........................................................9

Madra Mór .................................................... (800) 975-8364.............................www.madramormud.com ...................................................................21

Opie & Dixie ................................................ (415) 652-7989 ............................www.opieanddixie.com ...........................................................................7

Pet King Brands ...................................... (630) 241-3905 ............................www.zymox.com .......................................................................................20

Protégé Biomedical............................... (800) 451-2773 .............................www.protegebiomedical.com .........................................................18

Ray Pet ............................................................ (800) 526-1526 ............................www.raypet.net ..........................................................................................13

Shor-Line Manufacturing Co. ....... (800) 444-1579 .............................www.shor-line.com .................................................................................10

Soggy Doggy Productions .............. (877) 504-4811 .............................www.soggydoggydoormat.com ....................................................14

Reliq Pet ......................................................... (682) 651-8897 ............................www.reliqpet.com ........................................................................................8

Wahl Clipper Corp. ................................. (800) 767-9245 .............................www.wahlanimal.com ...............................................................................2

Company Name Phone Web Site Page #

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