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Move with your dog

19 October 2023

Apart from the great bonding moments, sharing a life with a dog can be an opportunity to take part in a physical activity. Here are a few examples of dog sports you can enjoy with your 4-legged friend. They promise hours of fun.

Canicross

To take part in canicross, you’ll need a suitable traction harness. This belt is fastened around your pelvis, and is attached to an elastic line linking your dog to you. This activity combines running and dog traction. It is perfectly suited to energetic dogs who enjoy pulling.

Agility

Agility is a sport that involves taking your dog through an obstacle course, with jumps, tunnels and slaloms. This discipline enhances your dog’s coordination, speed and intelligence. You can join a club – this activity is fairly widespread – or simply create a course in your garden.

Frisbee for dogs

This game of skill, also known as disc dog, is a simple, fun activity that requires very little equipment. But make sure you choose a Frisbee specially designed for dogs, to avoid injury. This activity requires great precision and a strong bond between master and dog. It stimulates concentration and strengthens your pet’s muscles.

Treibball

Treibball is football adapted for dogs. The aim is for your dog to push a large ball towards a goal, using its nose or shoulders. This activity stimulates your 4-legged friend’s thinking, coordination and concentration.

Bikejoring

A pulling harness, an elastic line linking your faithful companion to your mountain bike, and you’re off for hours of riding. For this cooperative activity, your dog needs to have acquired recall, and be able to respond to basic commands such as “stop” and “go”.

Yogadog

Yogadog is a gentle activity suited to dogs. Yoga promotes relaxation, connection and well-being. A session includes stretching, adapted postures and moments of meditation. Beware, not all dogs are receptive to this activity. For a safe and suitable practice for your pet, we recommend that you consult a yoga instructor.

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MP Labo
The importance of diet for skin and coat quality in dogs and cats

The importance of diet for skin and coat quality in dogs and cats

The skin is the body's largest organ, representing between 12% and 24% of the animal's weight, and its surface area in a dog weighing around thirty kilograms is close to one square meter. It's hardly surprising, then, that the quality and quantity of the dog's diet can have an impact on this organ, and in the event of a deficiency can lead to problems that go far beyond a simple visual appearance.  

Key nutrients for healthy skin and coat

Among the macro-nutrients, proteins play a crucial role. They provide amino acids, including sulphur amino acids, which are essential for the structure of the skin and coat. These are the main components of collagen, which gives the skin its suppleness and resistance, and of keratin, which plays a part in the effectiveness of the skin barrier. Lipids are also important; they make up the bulk of cell membranes and, in the skin, contribute significantly to the effectiveness of the cutaneous barrier. Among lipids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help maintain healthy skin, modulate inflammatory mechanisms and promote a shiny, soft coat.  Vitamins and minerals are also involved. Vitamin A is necessary for cell renewal, as is vitamin D, which also plays a part in the skin's natural defences. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, while B vitamins and biotin are essential co-factors in the synthesis of various skin elements such as ceramides, keratin and collagen. Among the minerals, zinc is involved in synthesis, protection against free radicals and immune defence mechanisms.    

Disorders linked to inadequate nutrition

Inadequate or poor-quality food can lead to skin problems in our pets. A deficiency in essential fatty acids leads to dry, flaky skin, a dull coat and brittle hair. When it's the vitamins and minerals that are in short supply, synthesis is affected, the skin barrier can be less effective and the breeding ground for infections and inflammations that can lead to itching. On the other hand, these nutritional benefits can be used to compensate for individual sensitivities and improve the quality of the skin and coat in the event of dermatological disorders or diseases.    

Conclusion

The quality of a dog's skin and the beauty of its coat are directly influenced by the quality of its diet. However, some dogs and cats have increased needs, and it is therefore necessary to provide them with greater quantities of useful nutrients. This is particularly true in the case of certain dermatological disorders, to help compensate for imbalances and accompany the medical treatments prescribed by your vet. 

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