Should I wash my dog if he has dandruff
6 Causes of Dog Dandruff (And How to Treat It)
Dogs, just like people, can get dandruff anannoying, unsightly skin condition.
Dandruff is dry, flaky skin.Itsmade up of dead skin cells that fall from the skin, looking like white flakes.
Dandruff is not normal and needs to be taken note of.
However, simple things such asdaily brushing, a balanced diet and dietary supplements can go a long way to sorting the problem out.
Possible Causes of Dog Dandruff
As with humans, dandruff can be a result of many factors in your dogs health. Here are a few possibilities:
1. Seborrhea
This is a medical condition where baby skin cells travel to the surface too quickly.
The glue holding these cells together is weak, meaning they flake away as dandruff.
Seborrhea in a dog may be accompanied by greasy skin, as the grease glands are also overactive. The cause is unknown, but certain breeds are particularly prone to seborrhea, which points to a genetic link.
Breeds most often affected include:
2. Cheyletiella Mites
Also referred to as walking dandruff, cheyletiella mites make themselves comfortable in a dogs skin and coat while they lay eggs.
These white mites are large enough to see with the naked eye and have the appearance of skin flakes.
They make life miserable for your dog because they cause excessive itchiness.
3. Bacterial and Fungal Skin Infections
Infections create a vicious cycle where they drag down the skins ability to protect itself.
Most commonly this causes hot spots or greasy patches, but in some cases it can cause flakiness and dandruff.
4. Low Humidity
If you live in an especially dry area or keep the heating high, the air in your home might be stripping your dogs skin of moisture.
Dry skin is naturally less supple, prone to flakiness and itchy, which means your dog will scratch frequently. This scratching will also worsen existing skin conditions.
5. Poor Diet
If your dog isnt getting enough water, vitamins, minerals and fat from their food, the coat will probably suffer.
Like a plant deprived of water, without proper nutrition skin becomes sick, causing dull hair and dandruff.
6. Health Conditions
Problems such as under-active thyroid glands (hypothyroidism) and auto-immune conditions (pemphigus) can cause skin scaling and dandruff.
How to Treat Dog Dandruff (4 Simple Ways)
- Brushing: Treat your dog to a good brushing session once a day. This helps distribute the natural oils from the coat and stimulates blood supply to the skin, which promotes oil production.
- Improve thediet: Switch to a high-quality pet food and consider investing in a good nutritional supplement. Especially helpful is an omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplement. Aim to give at least 35 mg of omega-3 for each kg body weight of the pet. Also, put several water dishes throughout the house so your dog will always have access to fresh water.
- Specialized shampoo: Certain pet shampoos are designed to re-moisturize the skin andrelieve flakiness and irritation caused by dandruff. Keep in mind that a dandruff shampoo designed for humans will be too harsh for your dog, so usingHead & Shoulders is abadidea. Look for a soap-free, natural shampoo thats made in the USA.
- See your veterinarian:Your vet will be able to properly diagnose your dog and advise ontreatment and prevention. Remember, dandruff could be a clue your pet has an infection and needs medical management, so dont ignore this important sign.
This pet health content was reviewed for accuracy by a veterinarian,
Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS. This article was originally published in 2012 and is regularly updated. It was last reviewed for accuracy and updated Aug. 25, 2019.
If you have questions or concerns, call your vet, who is best equipped to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See
additional information.
Dog Dandruff: Facts, Prevention & Treatment | Hill's Pet
You probably know a few humans who deal with dandruff, but did you know dogs get dandruff, too? Maybe you have noticed your pup scratching more often or have seen white flakes on his bedding. Besides irritated skin, these signs can also point to a skin condition called walking dandruff.
How do you know when dog dandruff warrants a veterinarian visit? Since the signs of canine dandruff can be very similar to other skin issues, it's important to know what to watch out for and the possible treatment options to consider.
The Facts About Dog Dandruff
Dandruff is the presence of dead skin cells on your dog's coat. Depending on the color of your dog's fur it may be difficult to actually see the flakes, but they are often visible when they hop off the couch or put their head in your lap. There are many ways a dog's skin can get irritated. From excessive licking to a nutritional issue, the root cause of dandruff can sometimes be difficult to identify.
The first thing to ask yourself is whether you notice the dandruff all over your pup's coat or just in a particular area. Irritated skin in one concentrated spot could be due to a reaction to something your dog came in contact with, or it could be a more serious problem like an infection or parasite. Once you notice dandruff, consider visiting your vet for help. If you notice additional signs such as itching, reddened skin irritation, or scaly patches of hair loss then the best advice would be to consult with your vet immediately for further help. Since skin issues can have genetic, environmental, nutritional or parasitic causes, sometimes several different treatment options have to be explored.
Preventing & Treating Dandruff
There are a few things you can do to prevent dog dandruff and other skin problems. Trupanion recommends that pet parents start by grooming their dogs regularly. Removing matted hair leaves less of a breeding ground for parasites, and regular brushing encourages you to spend a few minutes checking your dog's skin and coat to catch any problems early on. You should also look for seeds, burrs and sharp plants or objects they may have picked up on a walk.
Your vet might suggest bathing your dog more frequently to prevent dandruff. Wag! advises using a specially formulated dog dandruff shampoo and making sure you dry your pet thoroughly after their bath.
If simple preventative measures like grooming and bathing are not ridding your dog of dandruff, discuss special food options or allergy tests with your vet. They can help you find a dog food with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E that promote a healthy coat and immune system.
The Difference Between Dandruff and Walking Dandruff
A more serious possible cause for your dog's flaky, itchy skin is a condition called walking dandruff. MedVet clarifies that walking dandruff is a parasitic infection called cheyletiellosis that is caused by mites. If you notice your dog scratching, licking or biting their skin, check the area for hair loss, redness and scaly patches.
Walking dandruff is extremely contagious. The mites can easily spread to other pets in your household like cats and rabbits, and in about 20 percent of cases they can also affect humans, MedVet notes.
It is best to get your dog to the vet as soon as you notice they have dandruff coupled with redness or scaling. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for walking dandruff. Your vet will likely administer a topical treatment called a dip that coats your dog's fur in a mite-killing medicine. Dips and other treatments may need to be repeated once or twice every week for up to six weeks. You should also bring any other household pets to the vet for mite treatment, and you may need to treat your home with a pesticide designed for killing mites and fleas.
No one likes an itchy and uncomfortable pup. Once their dandruff or other skin issues are addressed, hopefully you and your dog can enjoy more time doing the things you love, itch-free.
Causes of Dandruff in Dogs and Treating it Properly
Just like humans, dogs produce natural oils to keep their skin moisturized. They can develop dandruff if their skin gets dry or irritated, or if they dont have the right nutritional balance or hydration levels.
Dog dandruff can result from skin conditions that range from irritating to very uncomfortable for your pup, so keeping an eye on canine skin health is a key part of their care.
In this article I'll go over common causes of dandruff in dogs, what symptoms to look out for, and how to best treat it.
I'll also share home remedies for dog dandruff and let you know when it's time to see a veterinarian instead.
Common Causes of Dog Dandruff
Dog dandruff has a range of causes. There can be environmental factors such as dry winter air or allergies, nutritional imbalances, hormonal conditions, skin infections, or even frequent bathing.
Here are the most common ones:
Dry Skin
Dry skin is commonly caused by factors like drier winter air, use of indoor heating, excessive bathing, or other environmental conditions. Excessively dry skin will crack and flake and is typically resolved with new grooming, bathing, and moisturization routines.
Allergies
Allergies to food, or environmental allergies to things like pollen, commonly cause dry, flaky skin in dogs. Dogs with seasonal allergies or another allergy will typically have itchy, inflamed skin.
Nutritional Problems
Sometimes dogs with nutritional imbalances can develop skin problems and dandruff. Diet can have a major effect on the health of your pup's skin and fur. Often if a dog isn't getting enough Omega-3 fatty acids, they'll develop dandruff.
Skin Infections
Bacterial or fungal infections on your dog's skin can cause flaking, irritation, and dandruff. Pups are especially susceptible to these conditions if they spend a lot of time in moist environments, don't dry off fully after a bath, or recently swam or played in dirty water.
Related: Hot Spots on Dogs
Over-Bathing
While dogs benefit from regular grooming, bathing a dog too frequently or using a harsh shampoo can strip their skin of their natural oils, leading to dryness and dandruff.
The frequency with which a dog needs a bath depends on various factors, including their breed, haircoat type, activity level, and overall health condition. Ask your veterinarian about the frequency of baths that is appropriate for your pup.
Health Conditions
Various health conditions like hormone imbalances, immune disorders, genetic predisposition to skin conditions, and hypothyroidism or diabetes can lead to dry skin and dandruff in dogs.
Mites & Other Parasites
Mites, fleas, & ticks are common external parasites that can lead to itching and irritation which can ultimately result in dandruff. One mite in particular, the Cheyletiella species, can even look like dandruff.
Closely inspect your dog's dandruff - if the white specks are moving around, they're mites. This condition requires treatment from a veterinarian, so make sure to contact us if your dog has developed an infestation.
Related: Mange in Dogs
Understanding the root cause of dandruff can help prevent it from affecting your pup, or treat it effectively if they're already in discomfort.
Signs of Dandruff in Dogs
Identifying dog dandruff quickly will minimize your pup's discomfort, so make sure to regularly check their skin for signs and symptoms. Common symptoms of dog dandruff include:
- Dry skin
- Itchiness or irritation
- Smelly skin
- Flaking, scaly, or patchy skin
- Loss of fur
- Visible discomfort or licking
If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms and seems uncomfortable, inspect their skin carefully and contact your veterinarian for advice. Since there are so many potential causes of dog dandruff, a veterinary visit is recommended if symptoms don't resolve with basic home care.
A dermatologic exam by a veterinarian will uncover the root cause of dandruff and help determine the correct course of treatment. Diagnostics such as skin cytology or blood testing may be necessary to fully determine the diagnosis.
Effective Home Remedies for Dog Dandruff
Home treatment can include preventive care, grooming techniques to reduce dog dandruff, extra attention to coat care, and proper bathing techniques.
Try the following remedies to treat and prevent dog dandruff, although not all causes will respond to home treatment.
Regular Brushing
Regular brushing benefits dogs in many ways and is one of the key home methods to prevent dandruff. Brushing helps prevent matting, removes dirt, encourages healthy fur growth, and helps to evenly distribute the natural oils produced by your pup's skin.
Topicals
Moisturizing topical sprays, conditioners, and even coconut oil can help hydrate their skin. Make sure to consult with your veterinarian about safe topicals you can use at home.
Dog Bathing Techniques
Bathing your dog with a soothing, moisturizing or anti-dandruff dog shampoo can help reduce dandruff. Remember, bathing a dog excessively can actually strip their skin of its natural oils and make dandruff worse. Fully dry off your dog after a bath to prevent bacterial and fungal infections.
Seasonal Skin Care for Dogs
Dogs need extra care and protection during the winter months. Winter weather means drier air and thicker coats, so make sure to groom your dog more carefully and brush their coat daily. They may also benefit from a humidifier if their skin is dry.
Hydration
Ensure your pup has access to fresh water at all times. Proper hydration is essential for overall health, including their skin health.
Parasite Protection
Protect your dog from external parasites by using safe preventatives. Our experienced veterinarians can advise you on the best parasite prevention for your area.
Nutritional Solutions for Dandruff: Dietary Changes and Supplements
Sometimes a dog's dandruff is caused by a nutritional deficiency. In these cases, a dietary change or nutritional supplement might be helpful and reduce or eliminate symptoms.
I always recommend consulting with a qualified veterinarian before making any changes to your pup's diet or giving them a new supplement. But as a general rule, dogs can often benefit from holistic approaches to skin care.
Omega-3 fatty acids for dogs help to keep their skin and fur healthy and shiny. If they're not getting enough in their diet, a supplement might resolve symptoms.
Professional Treatments: When to Consult a Veterinarian
If your dog's dandruff is not improving with home treatment, or they seem like they're in a lot of discomfort, it's probably time to seek professional veterinary skin treatment.
A consultation with a veterinarian will help determine the cause of their dandruff and the best course of treatment. Your visit will include a full dermatological exam and may include allergy testing, blood tests, or skin samples.
If your dog is suffering from dandruff, we'll be able to help. Treatment might include dietary or lifestyle changes, ointments, prescription shampoos, parasite treatments, or oral medications.
Dogs who are suffering from a mite or other parasite infestation will benefit from a treatment plan that can include extra baths with insecticide rinses, medication, and deep-cleaning bedding and home surfaces. Your veterinarian will be able to advise on the best course of treatment for your pup.
Conclusion
Staying proactive about dog skin health will help keep your dog dandruff-free and comfortable year-round. By monitoring their skin, staying on top of grooming, and prioritizing healthy lifestyle choices and bathing habits, youll minimize the risk of dandruff.
If your dog does develop dandruff, now you know what to do! Use the tips in this post to keep them comfortable at home, and seek out advice from a qualified veterinarian if you are not seeing any improvement.
If your dog seems uncomfortable and you don't know what to do, schedule a visit today! We'll perform a thorough exam and determine the cause of their dandruff and how to best treat it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can diet affect my dogs skin health?
Yes, a poor diet can definitely affect a dog's skin and fur. If dogs are not getting enough Omega-3 fatty acids or if they have an allergy to a food they can suffer from skin dryness and flakiness.
Are there any specific grooming tools that help with dandruff?
Moisturizing shampoos and dog dandruff brushes are helpful in resolving symptoms. Brushing regularly, gently, and thoroughly will remove skin flakes and help your dog's skin become healthy again.
When should I be concerned about my dogs dandruff?
If your dog's dandruff seems to be worsening or does not resolve with standard home care, consult a veterinarian to prevent further discomfort. A dog with visible mites or other parasites should also be seen by a veterinarian to reduce itchiness and prevent worsening infestation.
