Last Updated: 15/10/2026
What To Feed Your Pet For Healthy Skin And Coat
Our vet explains which nutrients build healthy skin and a shiny coat, and why digestion plays a bigger part than most pet parents expect.
Author: Dr Olivia Clarke BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets, Avian)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
If your pet's fur has lost its shine, or their coat is looking a little dull and dry, the answer may not be in the grooming cupboard but in what is going into their bowl.
The integument, or the skin and coat, is one of the most nutrient-hungry tissues in the body. Fur and skin cells are built, shed and rebuilt constantly, and nutrition is a key driver in keeping skin cells and fur follicles healthy. So what goes in the bowl shows up, quite literally, on the outside.
In this article we'll explain which nutrients build healthy skin and coat, why digestion matters more than you'd think, and how Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin food is formulated to support both.
In this article
- What is your pet's coat telling you?
- Which nutrients build healthy skin and coat?
- What has digestion got to do with your pet's coat?
- How Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin food supports skin and coat
- How do you switch your pet over?
- How do I know if Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin food is right for my pet?
- FAQ
What Is Your Pet's Coat Telling You?
The appearance of your pet’s coat can tell you a lot about their health and wellbeing. Signs of a healthy coat include:
- Glossy, with a bit of natural sheen
- Soft rather than dry or brittle
- Even, with no bald patches and clean skin underneath
- Shedding at a steady rate for the breed and season, rather than excessively or persistently
A coat that isn't thriving looks dull or dry, feels rough between your fingers, or shows flakes when you part the fur.
Everyday dullness is different from a medical problem, though. Broken or inflamed skin, bald patches, or persistent scratching warrant a trip to your vet first for investigation into causes like skin allergies and infection.
Which Nutrients Build Healthy Skin And Coat?
Skin and coat are built from the nutrients in your pet's daily food. A few do most of the work:
- Quality protein: fur is largely protein and is constantly being replaced, so the body needs a steady supply of high quality protein to provide all the amino acids needed for a healthy coat
- Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids: help nourish the skin and support the barrier that keeps moisture in
- Vitamin E: an antioxidant that works alongside omega fatty acids to nourish skin and help maintain a healthy, shiny coat
- Vitamin C: another important antioxidant that supports a healthy immune system, which underpins skin health
The good news is that a complete and balanced adult diet formulated with skin and coat in mind, like Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin, delivers all of it, every day, with every meal.
What Has Digestion Got To Do With Your Pet's Coat?
More than you'd think. Every one of the above nutrients has to be absorbed through the gut before it can be used anywhere else. A pet who isn't digesting efficiently may not be getting full value from their food, and because the coat renews constantly, it's often the first place that shows.
There's a second link too: much of your pet's immune system sits in and around the gut wall, and skin health is influenced by that system sitting calm and balanced. Which is why gut and skin health are intrinsically connected.
How Does Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Support Skin And Coat?
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin is a science-backed, complete and balanced food for healthy adult dogs and cats, and it works to support skin and stomach health in three key ways:
- A source of vitamin E plus omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to nourish the skin, and help maintain a healthy, shiny coat
- A highly digestible formula with prebiotic fibre that's gentle on the stomach, for optimal nutrient absorption
- Clinically proven antioxidants (vitamins C and E) for a healthy immune system
When fed Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin:
- 83% of dogs had a shinier and softer coat*
- 86% of dogs had improved digestion, including stool quality, gas and bloating*
- 86% had an improvement in their skin and coat after 8 weeks*
- 78% of dogs had improved stool quality*
*While trialling Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food. Home Tester Club 2026. Reviews incentivised.
How Do You Switch Your Pet Over?
Any diet change should be made gradually over 7 to 10 days to avoid digestive upset. Mix a small amount of the new food into the old, increasing the proportion a little each day and watch your pet's stools as you go. It can take a little while to see skin and coat improvements, so give it a fair trial of four to six weeks before you judge it.
How Do I Know If Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Is Right For My Pet?
If your pet is otherwise healthy and their coat has simply lost its shine, or they experience the occasional mild digestive upset, a complete and balanced food like Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin is a sensible place to start. Give it a few weeks, and let their coat do the talking.
Important: Hill's Science Diet is an everyday wellness food for healthy adult pets. If your pet has diagnosed skin disease, allergies or an ongoing digestive condition, speak with your vet first to determine what food is right for your pet.
FAQs
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Mon Sep 14 2026
Written by Dr Olivia Clarke BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets, Avian)Dr Olivia Clarke BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets, Avian)
Veterinarian
Dr Olivia graduated from Murdoch University in 2015 and worked in Western Australia before moving to Sydney to work in specialist practice as an avian and exotics veterinarian. Olivia has thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of species and interesting cases in her time as an exotics veterinarian. She has a particular soft spot for rabbits and thoroughly enjoys all aspects of rabbit medicine and surgery. She also has many years of experience working with dogs and cats as well as an array of wildlife.
