Maintaining a clean and shiny Cane Corso’s coat can seem to be a difficult task due to the perceived process involved. However, there are ways you can have their coat shiny and healthy without too much work.
If you are wondering how to continuously maintain your Cane Corso’s coat’s glossy appearance, then no need to worry because, in this article, I will show you how to keep your Cane Corso’s coat shiny.
The process consists of 6 simple tips that will help to keep a Cane Corso’s coat healthy and shiny.
How To Keep A Cane Corso's Coat Shiny
1. Bath them on a schedule
The Cane Corso has a short glossy coat. Maintenance of this appearance and its health requires keeping the coat clean by removing the build-up of dirt and loose shed hair. Bathing helps to maintain healthy skin and coat.
The great thing about Cani Corsi is that they also don’t need very frequent baths and the frequency is mostly on a need basis and also depends on their level of activity and lifestyle.
Frequent cleaning is not recommended because it strips their skin of the natural skin oil which keeps the skin from drying and flaking as well as also contributing to the natural glossy sheen of the coat.
Schedule their bath every 6 to 8 weeks but if they become dirty because of their daily activities or lifestyle, they will require a bath earlier than this to keep their coat clean.
A Cane Corso’s bath session should include a dog shampoo best for their skin sensitivity and one that will not dry out their skin by stripping off their skin oil which gives the coat the natural glossy appearance.
The Buddy Wash dog shampoo is the best shampoo for a Cane Corso’s skin and coat. The shampoo effectively cleans and does not dry the skin. It is also effective if your Cane Corso has itchy or allergic skin.
During the cleaning process, I also recommend the KONG brush which is effective in removing dirt from your dog’s coat during the shampooing process.
Remember to stick to your bath routine to maintain a clean, healthy, and glossy coat for your Cane Corso.
Read More: Why does my Cane Corso stink? (Explained)
2. Brush their coat
In addition to having a cleaning routine, a Cane Corso’s coat needs to be brushed regularly. Their coats are short but that does not mean this process is to be skipped.
Brush your Cane Corso’s coat at least twice a week.
Brushing helps to remove loose excess hair or dead skin and also spreads the natural skin oil throughout their coat giving it a sheen.
Brushing also stimulates blood flow to the top of the skin which also supports the growth of the coat.
The best brush to use for grooming is the KONG brush which is gentle to the skin and is also effective as a de-shedding brush when your Cane Corso sheds their hair during the Spring.
You can also use a grooming mitt which you wear on both hands and brush your dog’s coat by working your way slowly from their neck to their tail. This is a good massage session for your dog which is also a great treat for them.
3. Feed them a high-quality diet
The health of a dog can be observed by the state of its coat. A dull coat indicates a poor diet and lack of provision of sufficient nutrients.
Providing a healthy balanced diet for your Cane Corso results in overall health including their skin and coat.
A healthy diet consists of balanced nutrition that is suitable for large or giant breed dogs which provide the required nutrients for development as well as healthy skin and coat. Dog food formulation for a specific dog breed offers these benefits.
Taste of the Wild and Great Giants dog food are among the best dog foods for large breed/ giant breed dogs which provide the essential nutrients.
Also, feed your Cane Corso the recommended quantity of food to gain the required nutrients. Inadequate nutrients can also limit the number of essential nutrients a Cane Corso can have which will affect their health and the appearance of their coat.
The quantity and frequency of food served depends on the age of your dog, which is 3 times a day when they are puppies up to 4 months of age and decreases to 2 times a day from month 5 onwards as they continue to grow into adults.
I also recommend talking to your vet on this based on your dog’s serving requirements based on their health status.
4. Supplement their diet with Omega 3 and 6
Omega-3 which is found in fish oil, flaxseed, or chia seeds supports your dog’s health by controlling inflammation and pain. The anti-inflammatory quality of Omega-3 also reduces the sensation of itchy skin of a Cane Corso with allergies.
Omega-6 which is found in safflower and sunflower oil helps to fight off infection and supports healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Most large or giant dog breed food formulations have these two elements which are supportive of healthy skin and coat.
Additional Omega-3 and 6 fatty acid supplements to your Cane Corso’s diet provides added nutritional support. This can be in the form of chewable tablets, treats, or oils.
Zesty Paws Alaskan Salmon oil is an Omega 3 and 6 supplement that is best for a Cane Corso.
It takes about a month for the regenerated top layer of skin to reveal itself with the shiny coat so be patient and continue providing the Omega-3 and 6 fatty acid supplement.
Also, ensure that you don’t provide more supplements than the recommended amount per day so that your dog does not have diarrhea. Talk to your vet before you start your dog on any dietary change.
5.Treatment of health problems
Underlying health problems can also contribute to the dull appearance of a Cane Corso’s coat.
When you notice signs of sickness such as lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or your dog having a sudden change of behavior, have your dog be examined by a vet.
The vet will determine if there is any health problem and provide treatment if there is an identified condition.
Some Cani Corsi are also prone to having dandruff. Your vet will also determine the treatment for this and also recommend supplements for clearing the skin.
6. Have your dog checked for intestinal parasites
The presence of intestinal parasites can also deprive a Cane Corso of nutrition even if their diet is balanced.
Intestinal parasites such as hookworms or roundworms feed a dog’s nutrition limiting them from having the required nutrients for their overall health and also results in the appearance of a dull coat. Take your Cane Corso for a medical checkup.
The veterinarian can test for the presence of these parasites and if present treatment will be provided to enable your dog to feed well and gain from the nutritional value of their diet.
Takeaway
A dull Cane Corso’s coat can be an indication of poor grooming, the presence of disease, parasites, or poor nutrition. When a Cane Corso is healthy, keeping their coat shiny is a matter of proper and regular grooming as well as provision of a quality diet for their health.
Grooming is not just for appearance purposes but supports the physical well-being of your dog by keeping the skin and coat healthy as well as identifying any irregular skin infections.
Use of the right products in the grooming process as well as keeping a regular schedule for the process keeps their coats healthy and shiny.
Keeping a Cane Corso’s coat shiny should not be daunting and does not need to involve a lot of work.
For more information on the Cane Corso, breed information, health, behavior and care, feel free to check out the Cane Corso guide for owners.