Dog running in a field with a ring toy in the mouth

Skin Barrier

Is your dog constantly scratching or your cat licking their skin raw? They might be struggling with atopic dermatitis—a common and chronic skin condition caused by a combination of genetics, allergens, and a weakened skin barrier.

What Is Atopic Dermatitis in Pets?

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a long-term inflammatory skin disease seen in both dogs and cats. It’s often triggered by environmental allergens like pollen, dust mites, or mold, and made worse by a weakened skin barrier and immune imbalance. Pets with atopic dermatitis often show symptoms like:

Constant scratching or licking
Red, inflamed skin
Hair loss or flaky patches
Recurrent ear or skin infections

The good news? With the right skin support and care, you can help your pet feel better.

Why the Skin Barrier Matters

Think of your pet’s skin barrier as a suit of armor—it protects against allergens, bacteria, and keeps moisture in. When this armor is damaged, it’s easier for irritants to get in and for moisture to escape. This leads to itchiness, inflammation, and infections.

The Skin Has Three Key Layers of Defense:

1. Physical Barrier

The outer layer of the skin (stratum corneum) acts like bricks and mortar:

Corneocytes = the "bricks"
Lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids) = the "mortar"

When these elements are lacking, the skin becomes dry and more sensitive to irritants.

2. Immune Defense

The skin’s immune system helps fight off allergens and microbes. In pets with atopy, this system becomes overreactive, causing redness and itch.

3. Microbial Barrier (Skin Microbiome)

Healthy skin has good bacteria that keep harmful ones in check. If this balance is off, your pet becomes more prone to infections like hot spots, pyoderma, or yeast overgrowth.

What Happens When the Skin Barrier Breaks Down?

In pets with atopic dermatitis, several things go wrong at once:

Low ceramide levels mean dry, fragile skin
Weak stratum corneum lets allergens sneak in
Less filaggrin and other skin proteins weaken the structure
More bad bacteria (like Staph or Malassezia) grow, causing infections
Decreased natural antimicrobial defenses, making healing harder

This leads to a vicious cycle: itching → scratching → more skin damage → more allergens and infection → more itching.

How to Support Your Pet’s Skin Barrier

A healthy skin barrier is key to managing itchy skin in pets. Here’s what you can do:

1. Use Lipid-Rich Topical Products

Topicals with essential fatty acids can help restore the skin’s “mortar.”

2. Add Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These healthy fats reduce inflammation and support skin cell structure from the inside out.

3. Boost Skin Nutrition with Daily Supplements

Skin health starts with nutrition. Look for supplements with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.

4. Support the Skin Microbiome

Probiotics and postbiotics are emerging tools to help balance the skin microbiota and improve resilience.