Naturally, corgis have a thick double-layered coat that protects them from harsh conditions. Apart from the insulation the coats give, with their density they also act as traps for a number of allergens. This is why for a long time, they have remained to be the breed which is more susceptible to skin problems. Most of the times, may dog ailments reveal themselves on the skin, and that’s why it’s agreeable that a healthy coat simply means that the dog is equally healthy.
When not handled, even a slight itch can lead to hair loss because your corgi will be pushed to bite, lick and scratch that particular spot until the hair falls off. Now, this gets worse in case the area affected happens to be a bigger batch, and that’s something you don’t want to happen to your corgi. This is why just like any other pet, there’s a need to know more about corgi skin problems so that you get a glimpse of what to expect and equally how to go about the issues as a pet owner.
What Are Some Of The Common Corgi Skin Problems?
Dermatitis – There are three cases of dermatitis namely environmental, moist and nutritional dermatitis
Environmental dermatitis are skin problems that the dog is exposed to when they interact with the environment, mostly outdoors. Professionals often recommend outdoor playtime for proper dog health development, but then we have dogs which can negatively react to simple things like plants, dirt, grass and even bugs the moment they come into contact with them.
Moist dermatitis on the other hand has moisture involved, which has anything to do with rain and water in general. In the end, this can lead your corgi to constantly lick the part of their body which has gotten into contact with water, exposing the skin in that particular patch. Overtime, it is such exposure that leaves your pet exposed to bacterial infections, considering that the skin will no longer be insulated.
And lastly, nutritional dermatitis trails back to those skin problems arising from lack of a proper dietary tradition. If you entirely depend on commercial dog foods, it’s important that you first understand what nutritional components the particular pack has because we have those brands which don’t offer even the slightest bit of basic nutrients. That way, you will be depriving them of all the necessary ingredients needed for a healthy skin, and in the end they will develop skin problems.
Critters – Many corgi owners limit their worries to fleas when in the real sense mites and several other critters can give your dog recurring skin problems. They are initiated by allergic reactions arising from insect bites or when the insect itself finds its way into the dog’s coat. The best way to save yourself from those trips to the vet is by proactively keeping the pests away especially during warmer months when they flourish. This can be done by investing in pest control shampoos and conditioners which are still usable for regular baths.
Skin Allergies – Today, this is one of the most common corgi skin problems, probably because of how poorly-bred some dogs are. These are skin problems which come from exposure to stimulants, that is, anything the dog inhaled, ate or something that got into contact with their body. It often gets frustrating because combating such skin issues would mean that you have to figure out what’s causing them in the first place. However, a professional can always examine and tell why your dog could be constantly scratching, coughing, sneezing, sniffing or has watery eyes because that’s how most of these allergies manifest themselves.
Hives – Unlike other types of allergic reactions, hives are particular in terms of how they appear and what causes them. With the bumps, the coat will in turn swell or spot out in specific parts of the body like the eyelids. The only better part with this case is that they’re easy to combat in that you can easily point out the allergen, being that it only takes minutes for the reactions to occur after exposure.
The 4 Main Causes Of Corgi Skin Problems and How to Go About Them
From the highlighted skin problems, it’s now easier to point out some of the causes of these problems, examples of which are:
Unstable Environment
Change of weather is something inevitable, however as a corgi owner you should always ensure that the environment you are in stays stable. There are ways in which you can adjust to those extreme hot and cold conditions because either way, their coats will somehow be susceptible to skin problems.
Low humidity has a way of draining out the natural fats off your pet’s skin, something which extends to winter when the heaters are always running. If yours reacts badly to moisture, ensure that you keep their cage warm with blankets when winter knocks in. At the same time, you can frequently moisturize their coats when it gets warmer, so that their skin doesn’t dry up.
Allergies
Dogs can be allergic to anything and everything, ranging from food, hair products, fragrances, dust and any other allergens. It only get worse if your corgi has a sensitive skin, which means that you’ll have to be particular in everything you buy for them. We have those which could leave their skins dry, and also those which could react badly to their coats the moment they interact with them.
One common mistake most people make is introducing random substances to the dog’s skin without establishing the possible side effects. For those who are still in the process of establishing what works best for their dog, you can start by going for neutral or hypoallergenic brands guaranteed to go well with all skin types.
Poor Diet
After grooming, what follows closely in the maintenance of a healthy coat is nutritional consistency. As mentioned earlier, you cannot always bank on what the manufacturer indicates on the dog food pack to be the true ingredients. So when you consistently feed them such brands, you’ll be depriving their skin of all the basic nutrients needed to thrive.
There has to be a balance in the dog food you buy or cook, so that you don’t stretch much on either wet or dry foods. One of the things that shouldn’t miss is omega oil supplements which is essential for healthy skin and coat. However, before introducing any new food to your corgi, ensure you get clearance from a professional to avoid any allergic reactions.
Dehydration
This is closely linked to dietary traditions, however it bears so much weight being that most people often eliminate it. Just like with the case with humans, dogs too have to stay hydrated for you to see that glow on their coats. This means that they should always get enough water, depending on how old and active they are. As you keep their feeding stations filled, also remember to supply them with clean water, especially if you’re fond of serving them dry foods.
Remedies For Corgi Skin Problems-What Are The Available Treatment Options?
For chronic or severe skin problems, you can always consult your vet on the best way forward. However, we have some natural remedies which can help with the itching associated with corgi skin problems, thereby minimizing chances of them scratching. Here are a few home-made hacks to try:
Herbal Tea Soaks
When you combineherbal teas like chamomile, calendula and green tea with hot or warm water, they reveal substances that help in soothing and cooling irritated skin. Depending on how severe the itch is, you can fill up their bath basin with the tea or just give them a quick rub if it’s a small itchy patch.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Water Spray
Apple cider vinegar has both antifungal and antiseptic components which give natural reliefs for dry itchy skin. For the solution, just combine water and vinegar in two equal parts and spray on the affected areas. However, this shouldn’t be used on open wounds and cuts because it stings.
Oatmeal Bath
This trick has been with us for ages so you can try it on your corgi as well. You can bring the idea of oatmeal hypoallergenic shampoos home by sprinkling oatmeal powder in the dog’s warm bath. Apart from the bath, you can also make a consistent and spreadable paste to cover the affected areas for quick relief. The better part is that the solution is nontoxic, so it goes well even with red and sore skin.
Coconut Oil
Apart from being a regular moisturizer, coconut oil also has antifungal and antibacterial properties that penetrate the dog’s coat for relief on anything to do with allergies, insect bites, eczema and other skin problems. This means that as the dog is relieved from itching, their coat will equally start improving if you massage them with the oil often.
Plain Yoghurt
This helps tackle those skin problems rooting from the digestive tract. Plain unsweetened yoghurt helps clear yeast infections it finds on the way, which in the end might help with rashes, hive and other allergies.
Unlike the rest which require massaging or soaking, here you should feed small amounts of this yoghurt directly to the dog or mix it with their regular food a couple of times in a week to see if their skin will improve. However, we still have those dogs which are lactose intolerant, so before you introduce yogurt to their diet, ensure you consult a vet.
What Is The Way Out?
Before we sign out, it’s important to remember that dealing with corgi skin problems has more to do with preventive measures. This trails back to establishing what could have possibly triggered the skin problem which then dictates the measure you can take to eliminate it and ensure that the same doesn’t reoccur. At the same time, corgis are different, and that’s why I also recommend that you always seek the services of a certified vet especially before buying any medications or dietary supplements.
