Top 10 Best Dog Foods for Shiny Coats
Did you know that you can tell the quality of your dog’s food by the health of their coats? If your dog has dull hair that feels coarse and skin that flakes or has bumps, their bodies are not as healthy as they could be, and you should take a closer look at their food to see if it’s benefitting them in any way. A healthy coat feels soft, smooth, and full of shine. Of course, the condition of your dog’s coat isn’t solely influenced by their food but also by regular grooming, so be sure to brush through their coats a few times a week.
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However, their food does play a large part. Trying out one packet of dog food at a time is time-consuming and costly, so instead, keep reading. We’ve explained which dog foods improve dogs’ coats and the ingredients, vitamins, and minerals you should look out for that restore their shine.
The 10 Best Dog Foods for Shiny Coats
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat All Life Stages – Best Value
| Main ingredients: | Salmon, Fish Meal, Potatoes, Lentils |
| Protein content: | 25% |
| Fat content: | 14% |
| Calories: | 408 kcal/cup |
For a more affordable option but one that has all the nutrients your dog needs, check out Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages Dry Dog Food, which is our pick for the best overall dog food for shiny coats for the money. Real salmon is the first ingredient, providing your dog with the protein and omegas-3 and 6 they need for a shiny coat. You’ll also find biotin, riboflavin, zinc, and copper in this recipe.
This dog food is available for all dog breeds and life stages to enjoy. If your dog is sensitive to grain, this grain-free option is a great alternative. However, grain is beneficial to dogs, so be sure to include it in your dog’s diet unless your vet advises you otherwise. Your dog’s body will benefit from the vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and probiotics in this recipe.
- Real salmon is the first ingredient
- Contains beneficial ingredients for shiny coats
- Affordable
- High in protein
- Grain-free only
- Contains legumes
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Chicken Recipe – Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | USDA Chicken, Brussel Sprouts, USDA Chicken Liver, Bok Choy |
| Protein content: | 46% |
| Fat content: | 34% |
| Calories: | 590 per pound of food |
The Farmer’s Dog is a new dog food company that focuses on fresh food that is cooked at lower temperatures to avoid nutritional loss. The Farmer’s Dog is a subscription-based service that will ship their meal plans to your home, which does make them a bit pricier. The recipes you receive are created to meet your dog’s needs, which they’ll gather from the information you send them when you sign up. They’ll ask for your dog’s weight, breed, age, allergies, and activity level.
We’ve picked The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Chicken Recipe as the best overall dog food for shiny coats because it’s high in protein and contains zinc, vitamin E supplement, copper, riboflavin, and fish oil. These ingredients contribute to skin and coat health and are excellent at bringing back the shine. The Farmer’s Dog’s recipes can be enjoyed by dogs of all ages and breed sizes. Unfortunately, they don’t have any grain-inclusive recipes at this stage.
- Contains fish oil and zinc
- Created for your dog
- Fresh ingredients
- High in protein
- Suitable for all ages and breeds
- No grain-inclusive recipes
- Expensive
- You can’t purchase it from your local pet store
AvoDerm Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies
| Main ingredients: | Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground White Rice, Chicken Fat |
| Protein content: | 26% |
| Fat content: | 16% |
| Calories: | 372 kcal/cup |
If you’ve noticed your puppy’s coat lose its shine, try your pup on AvoDerm Natural Puppy Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food because it contains healthy oils from avocados that benefit their skin and coat.
The number one ingredient is chicken meal, which is concentrated meat and high in protein and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids that moisturize and replace the oils in the skin. The recipe is pea-free but contains grains, which aid in good digestion. It’s also loaded with vitamins and minerals. It’s nutritionally balanced and suitable for growing puppies and pregnant and nursing dogs. Some owners have reported that the new food increased their dog’s shedding.
- May cause increased shedding
- High in protein
- Suitable for puppies and pregnant and nursing dogs
- Grain-inclusive for better digestion
- Nutritionally balanced
Royal Canin Veterinary Adult Skin Support Dry Food
| Main ingredients: | Brewers Rice, Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat |
| Protein content: | 22.5% |
| Fat content: | 13.5% |
| Calories: | 322 kcal/cup |
Our premium option comes at a high price; however, the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Skin Support Dry Dog Food is specially designed to help improve your dog’s skin sensitivities and dull coats by reducing redness and itching. The omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids moisturize your dog’s skin and make their coats shine.
This recipe has limited ingredients, but you’ll find fish oil, riboflavin, biotin, zinc, copper, and vitamins E, A, and C, which work to improve your dog’s coat health. As healthy as this meal is, it’s also tasty! Customers have reported having seen a difference in their dog’s coat within one week to one month once starting them on this recipe.
- Limited ingredients
- Tasty
- Specially designed to improve skin and coat by reducing skin sensitivities
- Omega-3 fatty acids moisturize their skin
- Positive reviews from customers
- Expensive
Iams Minichunks Adult Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Lamb, Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Barley |
| Protein content: | 25% |
| Fat content: | 14% |
| Calories: | 382 kcal/cup |
For dogs who don’t enjoy chicken or fish recipes, try out Iams Minichunks Adult Lamb & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food. This affordable dog food has real lamb as its first ingredient and a crude protein content of 25%. Once again, this recipe is rich in omega fatty acids that promote coat shine and skin health by spreading oils throughout the coat.
The ingredients are whole and natural, and the lamb is grass-fed. This recipe includes vitamins and minerals that maintain a healthy immune system. The fiber and prebiotics aid in healthy digestion, and the whole grains provide your dog with energy. However, this food may cause diarrhea and loose stool in some dogs.
- May cause loose stool
- Rich in omega fatty acids for healthy, shiny coats
- Whole and natural ingredients
- Nutrient-dense
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Yellow Peas, Cracked Pearled Barley |
| Protein content: | 20% |
| Fat content: | 13% |
| Calories: | 394 kcal/cup |
Another excellent option that’ll improve your dog’s coat is Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food because it contains vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids—as well as many other beneficial ingredients.
This dog food is recommended by vets all around the world. Meat is always the first ingredient, and chicken is the first listed in this recipe. All the ingredients are natural and contain amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Not only does this recipe improve coat health but also digestive health with the help of probiotics and small-sized kibble. Unfortunately, due to the high chicken content, some dogs may have an allergic reaction to this recipe.
- It may cause allergic reactions in some dogs
- Supports both coat and digestive health
- Recommended by vets
- Small-sized kibble for easy digestion
Annamaet Original Option Dry Dog Food – Vet’s Choice
| Main ingredients: | Salmon Meal, Brown Rice, Millet, Rolled Oats |
| Protein content: | 24% |
| Fat content: | 13% |
| Calories: | 406 kcal/cup |
Our vet-recommended choice is the Annamaet Original Option Formula Dry Dog Food due to its DHA and omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to a shiny coat. This dog food is expensive, but it offers more than just a shiny coat. It also has chelated minerals for a healthy immune system, prebiotics, and probiotics for gut health, and is free from soy and wheat, which may affect dogs with sensitivities.
This recipe has been crafted with passion and science with the guidance of animal nutritionists. It’s nutritionally balanced and made in the USA. It’s pea-free and contains grain. The kibble size might be too big for small breeds.
- The kibble size could be too big for small breeds
- Expensive
- Created with animal nutritionists
- Pea-free
- Nutritionally balanced
- Nutrient-dense
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Turkey, Oat Meal, Barley, Fish Meal |
| Protein content: | 26% |
| Fat content: | 16% |
| Calories: | 439 kcal/cup |
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Turkey & Oat Meal Formula Dry Dog Food is a high-quality dog food that is high in protein. Your dog’s coat is made up of protein and needs a diet consisting of it to grow well and look shiny. The crude protein content is 26%, with turkey as the first ingredient.
Other ingredients that contribute to a healthy coat and shine that are found in this recipe are sunflower oil, fish oil, vitamins, riboflavin supplement, zinc, and copper. For good digestion, oatmeal and probiotics are used, and antioxidants are included for good immune health. It does have a strong fish odor that may be off-putting to some dogs.
- Strong odor
- High in protein
- Turkey is the first ingredient
- Oatmeal and probiotics are used for easy digestion
- Nutrient-dense
Nature’s Recipe Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe Dry Food
| Main ingredients: | Brewers Rice, Soybean Meal, Barley, Canola Oil |
| Protein content: | 21% |
| Fat content: | 8% |
| Calories: | 305 kcal/cup |
Many dogs have allergies to the protein source in dog food, which is why Nature’s Recipe Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe Dry Dog Food has created a recipe that is free of animal meat or fat and uses plant-based protein and soybean oil instead.
This recipe is high in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients and is nutritionally balanced. It’s free from wheat and soy as well as artificial flavors. All the ingredients are sourced from suppliers the company trusts, and the food is well-priced. Dogs of all breeds can enjoy this recipe, and the kibble size is suitable for all sizes. Picky eaters may not enjoy this food, though.
- Not a great choice for picky eaters
- Affordable
- Great option for dogs with food sensitivities
- Suitable for all breeds
Go! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Salmon Meal, Oatmeal, Potatoes, Whole Oats |
| Protein content: | 22% |
| Fat content: | 12% |
| Calories: | 427 kcal/cup |
Another recipe specially formulated for dogs with skin problems that result in dull coats is Go! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Salmon Recipe Dry Dog Food. This recipe has real salmon and ground flaxseed that contain plenty of omega fatty acids to produce a shiny coat.
The first five ingredients in this recipe are salmon meal, oatmeal, potatoes, whole oats, and de-boned salmon and the food is free from by-product meals, legumes, wheat, artificial preservatives, and chicken, making it a great alternative for dogs with sensitivities. The fruits and vegetables aid in digestion and provide your dog with the antioxidants they need. There are plenty of flavors to choose from, but there have been a few reviews about finding worms in the food!
- No chicken, legumes, or preservatives
- Contains natural ingredients
- Plenty of flavors to choose from
- Some bags had worms in them
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Food for Shiny Coats
You’ve probably heard that your skin is the largest organ on your body. Well, the same is true for dogs, except that their hair covers just about every part of it. If the food your dog is eating doesn’t meet their needs, that organ will suffer, and the result of it will be displayed through their coats—which will shed excessively and appear dull and coarse.
What Type of Dog Food Should I Consider?
- To keep your dog—along with their coats—healthy, you should feed them a high-quality, balanced diet. Dogs require a high amount of protein which should mostly be from animal sources. This can include meat meals or fresh meat. Animal protein should always be the first ingredient in your dog’s food. Your dog’s coat contains protein and therefore needs it to stay healthy.
- Along with protein, your dog needs fats. Fat contains omegas 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are essential for healthy skin and coat. They keep the skin moisturized and contribute to its shine. Fish and chicken have the most amounts of fatty acids.
- A balanced diet for dogs includes carbohydrates which are necessary for energy, colon health, digestion, and controlled blood sugar levels. Vitamins, minerals, and nutrients should also be included in their food.
What Vitamins and Minerals Are Necessary for Shiny Coats?
There are many vitamins and minerals that promote healthy coats and skin.
- Copper: Aids in skin cell growth and regeneration as well as color
- Zinc: Protects your dog’s coat from skin infections
- Biotin: Promotes healthy skin and coat
- Riboflavin: Promotes healthy skin and coat
- Omega-3: Protects their coats from skin diseases
- Omega-6: Makes skin supple and coats shiny
- Vitamin C: Repairs damaged skin tissues
- Vitamin E: Maintains cell function
- Vitamin A: Promotes a healthy coat and skin
What Else Causes a Dull Coat Appearance?
- Other than a poor diet, your dog may have a dull coat because they aren’t regularly groomed. You should brush your dog a couple of times a week and bathe them when they need it. If you’re not able to do it yourself, you can take your dog to the groomer.
- Stress is another factor that could affect their coat appearance and increase their shedding. Illness also tends to affect the coat, making it appear dull. Examples of these illnesses are Cushing’s syndrome, abnormal thyroid levels, and diabetes.
- Whether you think your dog may be sick or not, if their coat has become dull, it’s important to get them to the vet for a full body checkup. The vet will be able to discuss solutions with you, which may include a different type of dog food or supplements. But they may also detect something more serious and be able to start your dog on treatment.
The Importance of Your Dog’s Coat
- Your dog’s coat doesn’t cover their bodies just because it looks nice but rather because it plays a huge role in protecting their bodies. Dogs have guard hair and an undercoat. The undercoat is shorter and softer and keeps your dog insulated in cold weather. Their coats also help regulate their bodies in summer to keep them cool.
- The guard hair is the topcoat, which is longer. It repels water and dirt and protects the skin from the sun while adding another layer of insulation. Some breeds have a double coat, while some have a single coat.
- It’s highly important to look after your dog’s coat and change their diet if it loses its shine. If their coat becomes patchy or thinned, they’ll lose their insulation and protection from the elements. A healthy coat is indicative of a healthy dog.
Final Thoughts
Our top choice overall of dog food for shiny coats is The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Chicken Recipe for its customizable recipes. Our best value option is Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages Dry Dog Food for their grain-free option, and our premium choice is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Skin Support Dry Dog Food because it’s specially formulated for skin problems that cause a dull coat.
For puppies, we picked AvoDerm Natural Puppy Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food for its natural oils, and our vet’s choice was Annamaet Original Option Formula Dry Dog Food for its skin and digestive care.
Hopefully, one of the above foods will be the perfect choice to help your pooch get a shiny, healthy coat!
