Skin Conditions

[Pages:5]Skin Conditions

Clinical Nutrition to Improve Quality of LifeTM

The importance of nutrition

The food your pet eats plays an important part in his or her overall health and well-being. And a nutritious, balanced diet is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle. When your pet has a skin condition, it's even more important to feed the right food. This booklet explains how nutrition can help manage all types of skin conditions.

Topics covered: ? Signs of skin conditions ? Causes of skin conditions ? Foods that can help improve

the condition

Has my pet got a skin condition?

Your pet's skin should be smooth and soft with no flaking, redness or signs of irritation. It should be neither too dry nor too greasy and have no areas of hair loss. Signs of skin disease include the following:

Itching, scratching, licking or

rubbing

Red patches, spots or pimples

Bad skin odour

Signs of skin conditions

Scabs, crusts or thickened skin

Flaky or scaly

patches

Hair loss

IMPORTANT

Skin discomfort can have many causes. If your pet is showing signs of irritation, consult your veterinarian who will be able to diagnose the condition.

What causes skin conditions?

Your veterinarian may carry out tests to identify the exact reason for your pet's skin condition. Common causes include:

Allergies

Your pet may be allergic to either food or environmental factors like dust, pollen or mould.

Parasites Fleas, lice and mites can all cause

mild to severe skin irritation.

Hormonal imbalances

Pets with too much or too little of certain hormones are prone to skin problems.

Infections Bacterial infections can cause

skin problems.

How can the right food help?

Some skin conditions can be cleared up quickly, while others need lifelong management. The good news is, most pets with skin conditions can be helped by feeding the right food, even if the cause of the condition is not dietary. Some important ingredients that can help heal and protect your pet's skin include:

Protein

High quality protein provides the building blocks for repair of damaged skin. Feeding unusual sources of protein, such as venison or duck, can also help avoid reactions in pets with allergies or intolerances to more common ingredients.

Essential Fatty Acids

A diet containing high levels of omega-3 and omega-6, found naturally in fish oil, will help nourish and protect your pet's skin, prevent dryness, and control inflammation.

Antioxidants

Vitamin E and other antioxidants are vital in helping to maintain your pet's healthy immune system, and protect it from harmful free radicals.

Combining these ingredients in a single pet food provides a convenient and natural way to manage your pet's skin condition.

Hill'sTM Prescription DietTM pet foods

Hill'sTM Prescription DietTM pet foods are specially formulated to help manage pets with health problems. Backed by extensive clinical evidence, it's the most reliable and trusted range of its kind.

Your veterinarian will recommend the Prescription Diet food best suited to your pet's skin condition. You may be advised to change food permanently or just for a short time until your pet's condition improves. Hill's Prescription Diet is available in both canned and dry formulas, which can be used alone or together to suit your pet's preference. Because it tastes great, changing to Hill's is easy. And because it's good value for money, you may find it costs less to feed than your pet's previous food.

We're sure your pet will enjoy Hill's Prescription Diet foods. In fact we're so confident that we offer a 100% money back guarantee.

Prescription DietTM d/dTM

Helps pets with all skin conditions

High in essential fatty acids that soothe and protect inflamed skin, and high quality protein to promote healing. Formulated to protect skin cells and reduce the risk of adverse reactions to food. A complete, balanced diet that you can feed your cat or dog long-term.

Prescription DietTM z/d ULTRA Allergen FreeTM

Helps identify food allergy and food intolerance Prescription Diet z/d ULTRA Allergen Free helps your veterinarian to accurately identify pets with dietary sensitivity. Formulated to soothe and relieve symptoms in both cats and dogs.

Prescription DietTM z/d Low AllergenTM

Helps pets with food allergy and food intolerance Available in formulas for both cats and dogs, z/d Low Allergen effectively controls allergic reactions to food, and relieves your pet's skin discomfort. It provides a complete and affordable long-term feeding solution.

Your checklist

If you suspect that your pet has a skin condition, consult your veterinarian straight away

Only feed the food recommended by your veterinarian Ask your veterinarian for advice on combining dry and

canned food Instead of scraps or titbits, feed small amounts of your

pet's recommended food Make sure your pet doesn't scavenge for food Always provide plenty of clean, fresh water If the signs do not get better or recur, contact your

veterinarian

FEEDING ADVICE

Diet: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Daily amount: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

No. of meals per day:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How long:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hill's Pet Nutrition Ltd., Wingfield Court, Croxley Business Park, Hatters Lane, Watford WD18 8YL

Hill's Helpline: 0800 282438/1-800-626002 (ROI)

HillsPet.co.uk

TMTrademarks owned by Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. ?2006 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.

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