Did you know that the skin barrier protects your pet?
The skin is your pet’s largest organ! The outer layers of the skin form a protective barrier, called the skin barrier. This protects against harmful external substances and prevents dehydration via the skin.
See infographic:
What can damage the skin barrier?
Many factors can reduce the levels of ceramides, including:
- Inadequate essential fatty acids being fed: an important part of the ‘mortar’.
- Harsh chemicals in some shampoos: e.g. sulphate cleansers
- Genes: some breeds are prone to dry, itchy skin.
- Environmental Factors: e.g. UV, wind, humidity.
- Some diseases: e.g. eczema, or injury to the skin caused by itching, which further damages the skin barrier.
Got an itchy breed?
Some dog breeds are prone to dry, itchy skin and may need extra care. These include: German Shepherds, Terriers and Retrievers.
Ceramides can help nourish & protect your pet's skin.
Ceramides are fatty, oily substances that are the building blocks of healthy skin, which helps to prevent water loss.
The skin barrier is like bricks and mortar.
- ‘Bricks’ = skin cells. These provide strength & structure.
- ‘Mortar’ = fatty layer, including ceramides which prevents water loss ➔ Skin becomes dry & itchy, resulting in reduced ceramides & increased water loss. However, if the levels of ceramides fall, the skin can dry out and become prone to problems like itchiness and redness.
The benefits of ceramides are more than skin deep.
Scientific studies in both pets and humans support the benefits of ceramides in common allergic skin conditions – including eczema (or atopic dermatitis) – that cause dry, itchy skin.
3 ways to protect skin & boost ceramides.
1. Protect when you shampoo.
Use a soap-free and sulphate-free pet shampoo to help your pet retain the skin’s protective ceramides.
2. Nourish when you condition.
Follow-up with a conditioner enriched with ceramides to replenish the skin's natural barrier, increasing hydration and reducing itchiness.
3. Smooth on soothing relief.
For extra care, apply a topical product that’s rich in ceramides and other skin-soothing ingredients.
This duo pack effectively cleans, soothes and moisturises dogs and cats with normal, dry and itchy skin.
- PAW NutriDerm® Replenishing Shampoo is a sulphate free, moisture rich, oatmeal pet shampoo which is suitable for dogs and cats with normal, dry and itchy skin.
- PAW NutriDerm® Replenishing Conditioner contains an advanced Cerasine® skin nutrient complex to help improve skin hydration and maintain a healthy skin barrier in dogs and cats with normal, dry and itchy skin.
Expert tip
- For extra nourishment, use Nutriderm® Conditioner as a spray-on or leave-in conditioning solution: 1 part NutriDerm® Conditioner to 2 parts water - combine in spray bottle. Shake well; spray generously over pet’s coat; massage into skin – Use daily.
