If your dog has been scratching a little more than usual, or you've noticed some flakiness when you brush them, fall might be the reason.  As temperatures cool and the air gets drier, your dog's skin can start to feel the effects, making fall a good time to pay a little closer attention to their skin and coat.

Here's what's actually going on, and a few routines and remedies worth having on hand.

Why does my dog's skin get drier in the fall?

The biggest culprit is humidity, or the lack of it. As outdoor air cools and indoor heating starts running, the overall moisture in the air drops significantly. Dry air pulls moisture from skin,, which is why a lot of people notice their own skin getting drier around the same time their dog starts scratching more.

Cooler outdoor air plays a role too. Wind and cold temperatures can be drying on their own, especially for dogs who spend a fair amount of time outside on walks.

How do I know if it's dry skin and not something else?

Dry skin in dogs usually shows up as flaking, a dull-looking coat, mild scratching, or skin that looks slightly ashy or grey, particularly noticeable on darker-coated dogs. It's generally not accompanied by redness, hair loss in patches, or a strong odor. If you're seeing any of those additional signs, it's worth mentioning to your vet, since that combination can point to something other than simple seasonal dryness, like an infection or allergy.

For most dogs, though, mild flakiness and a bit of extra scratching this time of year is dry skin doing exactly what dry skin does.

Does brushing help with dry skin?

It does, in a couple of ways. Brushing distributes your dog's natural oils through their coat, which helps skin retain a bit more moisture on its own. It also gives you a regular chance to actually see what's going on with their skin, since you're getting a closer look than you would just petting them.

A detangling spray can make this easier and add a bit of extra moisture at the same time. Smooth Coat Detangling & Conditioning Spray softens the coat while you brush, which helps loosen anything that's built up and gives dry, flaky areas a little relief in the process.

What about their bathing routine?

This is where a lot of dog parents accidentally make things worse without realizing it. Bathing itself isn't the problem, but harsh, stripping shampoos can pull moisture out of the skin right along with the dirt, which leaves things drier than before you started. A gentle, fragrance-free formula matters more in fall than almost any other season, since skin has less natural moisture to spare.

Soothe Shampoo and Nourish Conditioner from Dandylion, are built to clean without disrupting the skin barrier, so bath day supports what your dog's skin needs this time of year instead of working against it. Skipping the conditioner step in particular is worth avoiding in fall. That's often the part doing the most to actually replace moisture after a bath.

Are there quick remedies for a specific dry spot?

For localized dry spots, paws especially, a targeted, nourishing product tends to work really well. . Soft Paws Hydrating Paw Lotion is designed for exactly this, delivering concentrated moisture to dry, rough or cracked pads. This is also a good season to keep an eye on paws specifically. Cooler pavement and drier air can leave paw pads rougher than usual, and a quick check after walks makes it easy to catch dryness before it turns into actual cracking. A little Soft Paws worked in after a walk is an easy way to stay ahead of it.

Should I be doing anything differently day to day?

A few small habits tend to make the biggest difference. Wiping down your dog's coat between baths helps remove the kind of everyday buildup that can make dry skin feel itchier. Fresh Coat Daily Cleansing Spray works well here, refreshing the coat without a full bath

Keeping your dog's regular grooming routine  consistent, rather than sporadic, also helps more than any single product. A quick brush a few times a week, a wipe-down after walks, and a bit of Soft Paws on dry paw pads does a lot  for dry skin over the course of a season. When should I actually be concerned?

Mild dryness on its own usually isn't something to worry about. What's worth a vet visit is dryness paired with hair loss, redness, open sores, a strong odor, or skin that seems painful to the touch. Those signs suggest something beyond typical seasonal dryness and are worth having looked at.

The takeaway

Fall dry skin is common, mild, and usually pretty manageable once you know what's causing it. A consistent brushing routine, a gentle wash day, and a bit of targeted care for dry paws go a long way toward keeping your dog comfortable through the driest part of the year. 

*This blog post is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment