Feeding a specifically formulated diet can often help support dogs with skin sensitivities. Everyone who comes into contact with your dog should realise the importance of feeding only the recommended diet.

Skin Care is formulated to have greatest positive benefits when fed exclusively and mixed feeding (including the feeding of treats or snacks) is not recommended. To maximise diet benefits, divide your dogs daily allowance into at least two meals. Fresh drinking water should be available to your pet at all times.

Royal Canin Skin Care diet is recommended as nutritional support for pets with skin issues:

n Atopic dermatitis

n Flea Allergy Dermatitis

n Pyodermatitis

n Otitis externa

n Maintenance of dermal function (dermatosis, hair loss)

n Ichthyosis

A diet based on highly digestible wheat gluten and rice, Royal Canin Skin Care is highly palatable in addition to offering nutritional support for a wide range of skin sensitivities.

Royal Canin Skin Care may be used for short term nutritional support of pets with skin issues (following wounds, burns or hot-spots for example) or long term for chronic conditions such as otitis externa or atopy.

Royal Canin Skin Care offers a highly palatable complete diet for nutritional support of dogs with skin disorders, with the benefit of:

n Combined essential fatty acids from linseed, soya, borage and fish oils

n Complex of select vitamins and an amino acid which supports the barrier function of the skin

n High digestibility and palatability

Royal Canin Skin Care diet is enriched in antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, taurine and lutein) to help maintain health and vitality.

'Antioxidant' is a general term for nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and other components naturally present in many foods. Antioxidants neutralise free radicals produced during normal body metabolism that can cause damage to body cells. Free radical production increases when your pet is ill.

Changing your pet s diet should always be carried out over several days. It is not uncommon for pets to refuse a new diet or to suffer from stomach upsets if the change is not gradual. On day 1, begin by adding a small amount of the new diet to your pet s existing food. As each day passes, add more of the new diet to less of the original food, until eventually you are only feeding the new diet. This change should take around 5-7 days.

Royal Canin are leaders in palatability. So confident are we that your pet will enjoy their food that we offer a no quibble, money-back guarantee. Simply return the food to your veterinary practice for a full refund*.

* Terms and conditions apply

EPA/DHA Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) are omega 3 fatty acids. These are naturally occurring polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil. They have a number of beneficial effects in the body which in turn helps support the skin s natural defences.

GAMMA-LINOLEIC ACID (GLA) An unsaturated fatty acid, GLA is well documented to support the skin of the allergic animal. In the body it is processed to form active compounds which reduce the reactive processes which lead to skin irritation and often damage. Borage oil is particularly high in GLA, hence it's of inclusion in the Skin Care diets.

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS My dog has been diagnosed with atopy, what does this mean?

Atopy - or Canine Atopic Dermatitis - is the term used for allergic skin disorders in dogs. Atopy is thought to result from an abnormality in the immune system of affected dogs as well as defects in the skin barrier function such that intense reactions occur to external irritants. Itching and redness can occur anywhere on the dog but is most commonly seen on the paws, face, ears and skin creases. Your dog may chew and bite at their skin causing hair loss and in some cases secondary infections.

Your Veterinary Surgeon will advise you when to begin to feed Royal Canin Skin Care. This diet is highly digestible and will allow the intestine to absorb the essential nutrients required by your dog.

Can I use Royal Canin Skin Care in conjunction with medications?

Your Veterinary Surgeon may recommend medication such as antibiotics, steroids or cyclosporins. Royal Canin Skin Care is not an alternative to medication but is often useful fed alongside other treatments recommended by your Veterinary Surgeon.

How long will it take before I see any benefit to my dog?

Considering the Skin Care diet reinforces the natural skin barrier, effects should usually be seen after one skin renewal cycle (22-30 days). It is recommended that Skin Care is fed for a minimum of two months for full benefits.

How long should I continue to feed Royal Canin Skin Care?

In acute cases, such as nutritional support for skin healing, burns and wounds, Skin Care may be fed until the condition is resolved. Many skin conditions are recurrent however and so long term or life time nutritional support with Skin Care is recommended.

What is the difference between the different types of Skin Care diets?

The Skin Care Junior Small Dog and Skin Care Small Dog products take the nutritional requirements of these select groups into account. The formula and kibble design of these diets are adapted in recognition of the fact that young dogs should be fed differently to mature dogs and small dogs have different requirements to larger dogs.

How does Skin Care Small Dog support the dental health of dogs?

With a greater risk of dental disease, small dogs are supported with a kibble size and texture which encourages crunching plus active ingredients. These trap salivary calcium, making it less available for tartar formation.

What else can I do to help my dog?

As atopy can affect your dog throughout their life, be sure to do all you can to remove other potential skin irritants; maintain strict flea control, wash bedding with an appropriate washing agent and vacuum your pet's living area regularly in addition to following your Veterinary Surgeons recommendations. Feeding Royal Canin Skin Care helps support the skin s natural defences. Your Veterinary Surgeon has recommended the most appropriate diet for your pet s specific issue.

The recommended diet

Changing your pet s diet

Antioxidants

Key features

Definitions

A specific diet for your pet