Healthy Coat

A healthy coat, won't have any smell to it even when dirty it will only smell like whatever is making it dirty. An unhealthy skin and coat will have a bad smell, a greasy odour. The odour is caused by skin bacteria and the waste products of that bacteria, braking down the oils in the skin.

All skin has bacteria present, but an unhealthy skin harbours the wrong type of bacteria. Sometimes a vet will recommend a weekly wash with a product that kills harmful bacteria. Dermatitis for an example is a harmful bacteria which will destroy the skin tissues and can soon develop into baldness and sores.

There are many reasons why a Westie's skin/coat maybe unhealthy, allergies, infections, harsh environment and parasites like fleas can all cause big problems. But one factor not considered by many Westie owners is proper nutrition. A Westie that does not get full nutrient requirements will not be able to fight skin problems, which are less severe and less often in well nourished pets.

Talk to any vet about nutritional needs and you may be shocked to find he/she does not know an awful lot, and what he does know may be influenced by the training he/she received from various dog food manufacturers. The recommendation of brands names, are quite common with veterinary practices, and can vary tremendously, depending on what manufacturer has "His foot in the door"

Throughout this site there are many articles covering nutritional needs, and include my thoughts on pet food, so I don't need to cover it all again. It is up to you to ensure your Westie gets a good balanced diet with all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

Who said grooming was just a matter of cutting a few hairs ?. Remember ! if a pet doesn't look good, it probably doesn't feel good.