Grooming Tip – Toy Breed Coat Care

By Royal Canin Scientific Communications

Many toy breed dogs have unique hair coats. From the Maltese, whose coat is mainly primary hair that grows

constantly, to the Pekingese, who has a very dense undercoat and “fuzzy” appearance, there is quite a variation in

coat type among toy breeds.

One characteristic that is common to all of the toy breeds is the need for the proper nutrition to maintain these

special coats. Hair growth requires a large percentage of the dog’s total protein intake. It’s not only the total

amount of dietary protein that’s important, but the protein must also be very high quality, because their bodies

require the appropriate amino acids for optimal coat appearance.

In addition to protein, other nutrients can enhance the coat’s quality. To bring out the coat’s softness and sheen,

it’s important to supply fatty acids and zinc. Biotin, a B vitamin, is integral in normal coat turnover. Certain

nutrients such as tyrosine and copper can even intensify coat color!

From structure to color, high quality nutrition is essential for health of the coat. A diet with the proper amino

Grooming Tip – Enhancing Coat Color

By Royal Canin Scientific Communications

Did you know that coat color can be influenced by diet? It is well-known that specific amino acid deficiencies can

cause color changes in dogs’ coats. An example of this is “red coat syndrome” seen in dogs with a deficiency in

the amino acid tyrosine. And just as deficiencies can dull color, providing high amounts of certain key nutrients

can produce more intense coat color.

The process involved in producing coat color is very complex, but by providing the necessary amino acids and

some key minerals as “building blocks,” we can see an improved the coat’s natural color characteristics. The

amino acids are converted into melanins, which provide each individual hair with its characteristic color. Minerals

such as copper are cofactors in the color building process as well. By providing optimal levels of the nutrients that

are involved in melanin production, we can see more intense coat color as a result.

Good general grooming and nutrition can lead to healthy skin and coat. Just as individualized grooming

treatments can result in better coat health, specialized nutrition can make unique improvements as well.

A diet with the proper nutrients can provide not only a healthy coat, but a more intense coat color.

Grooming Tip – Coat Turnover

By Royal Canin Scientific Communications

Hair grows from tiny sacs called follicles. Hair follicles contain both a long individual strand of hair (primary

hairs) and multiple short, fi ne hairs (secondary hair). The process of shedding in cats and dogs occurs because

each individual hair grows through a cycle and is then released. After release, it is replaced with a new hair and

the process repeats.

In pets, many factors can affect shedding. Most commonly, we think of the effect of day length and temperature

on coats. Shorter days and cooler temperatures stimulate the follicles and result in a thicker coat. Conversely,

longer days and warmer temperatures lead to increased shedding, and with the cycle peaking around mid-summer.

Many of our pets today live inside throughout the year, and they are not subjected to a variety of temperature or

light changes. Instead of experiencing a large difference between the highest and lowest times of shedding, these

cats and dogs tend to shed at a consistently high level year round. This pattern of coat turnover requires more

attention through the entire year instead of only during peak shedding times.

One key in the management of shedding is good grooming. Many groomers offer shedding treatments that help

reduce hair turnover for a period of time. Frequent trips to the groomer for routine bathing and brushing will help

remove hairs in the fi nal stage of the growth cycle and lessen the amount that is shed into the pet’s environment.

In between grooming visits, brushing at home also helps.

On the nutrition front, the goal is to provide the nutrients necessary to keep the hair as healthy as possible and

prevent premature hair separation. Hair growth may demand 30% of total protein intake, so an adequate amount

of high level protein is important. Certain B vitamins like biotin and folic acid play a role in the formation of hair.

Key minerals and fatty acids also help nourish the coat. A deficiency in any of these essential nutrients can result

in poor coat quality, excess shedding, and slower hair re-growth.