Finally, to help a senior dog have the best quality of life, the addition of supplements and nutraceuticals can have a positive impact on their ageing body and functions. Biotin, an important B-vitamin for skin, hair and nail health is also included in the recipe and may help to promote fur growth and a glossy coat, whilst powerful antioxidants from Milk Thistle provide support for the immune system with anti-inflammatory properties. Royal Canin has maize, gluten and rice as its first three ingredients, when protein rather than carbs is of more benefit to a dog’s diet.

Dogs don’t need to be bathed as much as humans - their delicate skin needs time to produce its own natural oils, and they’re relatively adept at cleaning themselves. Bathing your dog every three months is a fail-safe option for most breeds - unless your dog gets particularly messy on a regular basis (you live in the muddy countryside, or if it’s long-haired, for example) and could benefit from a bath more often. A shiny coat on your dog is ideal - especially if strangers slow down and swoon in the street - but at the very least, a healthy dog’s coat should be as soft as possible and free of dandruff and greasiness. This happens when your dog’s coat and skin is producing just the right amount of natural oils, and is generally in good health. You may think your dog’s hairdo is intended purely for warmth and a side of cuteness, but it’s actually a big indicator of physical health. Just like humans, dogs have different hair types - from curly, fluffy or coarse to long-haired and short-haired - and therefore, variable signs of whether their coat is in a good or iffy condition. Be sure to read up on how your dog’s coat should look and feel based on their breed, and do everything possible to ensure they feel light, comfortable and relaxed in their own skin. But over the last few years, there have been some brilliant new dog food brands who have helped the public understand the importance of feeding our dogs well. One of these brands is Pooch & Mutt, founded in 2007 by Guy Blaskey when his dog Cookie was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 3 months and told they would need a hip replacement by the time they were 3. Cookie was treated with a natural joint supplement for horses made by Guy’s mum’s company, Blue Chip Feed.Pooch & Mutt Soft & Shiny is a fish-based food, which contains a higher abundance of omega fatty acids to help reduce skin inflammation and prevent itchiness. Onto the chunky, jellified or gravy-drizzled slurp fest that defines the best wet dog food. For this important test we compared Lily’s Kitchen Fishy Fish Pie with Pooch & Mutt Fish, Potato & Pea Wet Food . Pooch and Mutt 'Soft and Shiny complete dry food contains NUTRA-BIONIC, a unique supplement that includes ingredients which provide a healthy skin and coat, aid digestion, reduce stool odour and support urinal tract health. The recipe also contains prebiotics and probiotics which ensure a healthy gut microbiome is established, with a healthy digestive system improving nutrient uptake. This can reduce symptoms of skin allergies and may prevent food allergies from developing in the first place.

Finally, puppies’ allergies won’t be known this early - so you may run the risk of triggering a grain-allergy with the wrong food. Carb-rich ingredients: includes all ingredients derived from grains, pseudo-grains, potatoes and other starchy root vegetables, sweet potato and legumes (except whole peas which are categorised under fruit and veg) except for isolated protein and extracted oils. Also includes fibre supplements.

Bethany’s shining even brighter

The product is a complete food suitable for dogs from 8 weeks old that contains functional ingredients to keep your dog’s skin and coat in good shape. These are vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for general health, along with a ‘NUTRA-BIONIC’ supplement which contains ingredients that help promote healthy skin, reduce stool odour and support urinary tract health. References• ‘An un-commissioned randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study to test the effect of deep sea fish oil as a pain reliever for dogs suffering from canine OA’, 2012 - National Library of Medicine