Skin is a complicated organ that requires proper nutrition so that it can work at maximum efficiency to protect the internal organs from an often hostile environment.  It is often said that the coat of a dog or cat is a mirror of a pet's health. Healthy coats will protect the skin from extreme irritants, trauma and the sun's damaging rays.

If your pet's skin and coat becomes malnourished you are likely to see symptoms in the form of:

• Hair loss.
• Matted skin.
• Dry scaly skin.
• Greasy scaly skin.
• Itchiness - biting or scratching.
• Thickening and black pigmentation.

You can maintain your pet's skin and hair coat health with oral supplements that will nourish it from the inside. Supplements to help skin and coat include:

• Brewers yeast contains essential B vitamins including biotin, minerals including zinc, and high quality proteins. These assist in the shedding of hair and skin cells, and generally help to promote a healthy skin and hair coat.  Brewer's yeast also seems to create an odour that is unpleasant to fleas (this has not been confirmed through research).
• Linseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA,) an omega-3 fatty acid that is ultimately converted to EPA and DHA and can help improve the coat and skin of pets.
   

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