Just like humans, dogs can get dandruff too. But, the amount of hair they have can be much more irritating for them. Itching, flaky skin, and white powdery stuff on their fur are clear signs of dandruff. This scalp peeling off in chunks can even be an indicator of a bigger medical condition. It is a good idea to get your dog checked by a veterinarian if you notice severe dandruff on your dog’s coat. Let’s get into the how to get rid of dog dandruff guide.
What Causes Dog Dandruff? – 9 Top Reasons
Dandruff in dogs also known as seborrhea, is generally a secondary problem. Primary seborrhea in dogs is rare and generally inherited. Various factors cause why does my dog have dandruff
#1 Allergies
Food or seasonal allergies generally affect the dog through skin infections, such as itchiness at certain times of the year, chronic diseases, etc. Dandruff, in this case, is one of the symptoms of something severe.
#2 Yeast or Bacterial Infection
Bacterial or yeast infections generally take advantage of your dog’s already weakened skin and affect the skin to cause dandruff.
#3 Parasites
External parasites such as ticks, lice, or fleas live and feed on the dog’s skin, making itchier.
#4 Certain Endocrine Disorders
Hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism can deteriorate your pet’s skin health. The weakened immune system makes the dog more susceptible to secondary infections.
#5 Obesity
Over weight puts the dog at risk for many health disorders, and unhealthy skin is just one of them.
#6 Dietary abnormalities
Not having a properly balanced diet can cause your dog to miss out on the nutrients it needs for a healthy coat.
#7 Dry weather
Dogs also get dry skin in the colder months like humans do when low humidity. The dry skin on dogs often becomes the reason for dandruff.
#8 Bathing
Though bathing is very important for the dog’s hygiene and grooming, bathing it too often will strip the body of its natural oils, which can cause dry skin and dandruff. Using the shampoo meant for humans will do the same, always make sure to use it specifically for dogs only as they have a different pH than shampoos for humans. There are plenty of best dog shampoo for dandruff option available in Amazon.
Dog Dandruff Symptoms
It is pretty easy to spot extreme dandruff on your pet’s coat as it generally appears on the back and face. You may also see white flakes stuck to your carpet, the dog’s bed, or any other place around the house. As we know, dandruff can be a symptom of a more severe underlying problem. There are a few cases in which you should get immediate medical attention to your dog, they are.
Too flaky
If your pet’s skin is too flaky, you need to get it evaluated by a veterinarian to know the root of problems. The Crusty dog dandruff could be any of the reasons mentioned above, and the doctor will need to examine your pet to determine the one.
Redness or Stink
In case of allergies or skin infection, you may notice redness on some parts of your dog’s body. It could also cause the skin to smell different, producing a foul odour.
Itching
Dogs with primary seborrhea are usually not very itchy. Skin diseases, certain parasites, and sporadic skin cancer make the skin flaky, can cause itchiness and make your dog very uncomfortable.
Home Remedies for Dog Dandruff and Itching
Dandruff is a prevalent condition that could occur in any breed of dog. There are several home remedies that you can try to make your dog more comfortable and get its coat back.
- Grooming: Regular grooming and brushing distributes the natural oils evenly on the dog’s skin and thus keeps dandruff at bay. Make sure to clean and grooming brushes for dogs after using.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplements – Adding fish oils in your pet’s diet can improve its skin health and reduce dandruff. Though, make sure to consult your veterinarian before giving any extra omega supplements for dog.
- Oatmeal Bath – Oatmeal can provide a soothing effect to itchy skin, which will be good as excessive scratching also causes dandruff.
- Use anti-dandruff shampoo for dogs – The dog dandruff shampoo can help with the correct pH and elements. Replace your regular shampoo until the condition is better.
- Humidifier – If the dandruff is caused by low humidity, you can put a humidifier near the dog’s sleeping area to keep the air moist.
- Lime juice – Washing the hair with a mixture of water and juice has proved effective in battling dandruff as lime juice is rich in vitamin C.
- Coconut oil – You can apply a little coconut oil to the itchy spots as it will soothe the area.
- Balanced diet – Make sure your dog is getting a balanced diet with all the necessary nutrients and take all its food allergies (if any) into account.
When to Visit the Vet?
As we already know, dandruff in dogs can be a symptom of a more severe underlying problem. If you notice too many dandruff flakes, itching, redness, a foul odor, etc., get your dog checked out immediately, as the doctor will perform several tests to determine the reason behind the problem. The diagnosis will be based on the symptoms and what the vet suspects the problem to be. They may have to do a skin scrape to look for parasites, a culture to look for infections, blood work to check for other disorders, etc.
Dog Dandruff Treatment Options
Ever wonder how to get rid of dog dandruff? Most cases of puppy dandruff are secondary problems. The treatment is also based on the diagnosis of the doctor and the underlying issue they might find. Here is simple ways about how to treat dog dandruff, with this simple step you can keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy for a long time.
Allergies – Environmental allergies are more common than food allergies, but both look the same and need to be diagnosed correctly. As a pet owner, you can treat environmental allergies with medications. At the same time, food allergies require a strict change in diet.
Skin Infections – Yeast or bacterial infections can affect the skin’s health and leave it open for secondary issues such as dandruff. After determining the type of infection, the treatment is composed of either topical antiseptics or oral medicines, based on the severity.
Sebaceous adenitis is when the sebaceous glands, which produce the oil called sebum, are destroyed due to inflammation. This condition needs many topical treatments to replace the oils and oral medication to suppress the inflammation.
Endocrine Diseases – Hypothyroidism or low thyroid hormone need to be treated by supplementing the thyroid hormone. Cushing’s disease is cured by decreasing the number of steroids produced by the body.
Conclusion
Dandruff is a widespread occurrence, and most of us ignore it when we first see it, but now you know all the implications of a simple dandruff problem. It is essential to keep observing your pet and take action immediately if you notice any changes in their fur or behavior. Do not ignore the symptoms as minor as dandruff, and consult your veterinarian. Our precious pets cannot talk, so it is up to us to take care of them and keep them healthy.