The same as us, dogs can have dandruff too. Although at first it may seem like something unimportant, it can be the symptom of various health problems. Therefore, we must never ignore it. We talk about the different causes that give rise to this disorder.
Dry skin
In reality, this dryness is often, in turn, caused by other problems. But the truth is that there are breeds prone to present this type of skin, like German Shepherds. Dry weather also favors this skin disorder.
Insufficient or excessive hygiene
Both the lack of cleanliness and the excess of it suppose serious damage to the dog's skin. It is appropriate to bathe our pet every month and a half or two months, never before. We must remember that your dermis is more sensitive than that of human beings.
Allergy
Sometimes this dandruff appears from the exposure to certain allergens or chemicals. It can be something environmental or cleaning products, fragrances, shampoos, etc. Some plants can also cause this reaction, and even the antiparasitic products themselves (pipettes, necklaces, etc.).
Bacterial infections
Skin infections also promote the appearance of dandruff, which is often accompanied by scabs and blisters. Such cases require immediate veterinary attention and the administration of medications.
Mites
The Cheyletiella mite is another possible reason. It is the cause of psoroptic scabies, as well as the so-called «walking dandruff». It is a special type of flaking that moves on its own due to the presence of mites.
Stress
Although it may sound strange, dandruff can be caused by stress. For this reason, it is common for the animal to present this problem in situations such as moving or the arrival of a baby at home. Likewise, dogs with separation anxiety are more prone to dandruff.
Nutritional deficiencies
A poor quality diet also affects the skin health of dogs. Lack of Omega 3 Fatty Acids Dries Out Your Skin and, in addition, it gives rise to more serious problems. It is important, in this sense, to offer the dog a high quality feed.
Treatments to eliminate dandruff
These are the most common causes of dandruff in dogs, but it must be the vet who determines the exact origin of the problem. Depending on it, one treatment or another will be administered.
One of the most effective techniques to eliminate dandruff is the use of special shampoos for this. These products contain active ingredients that combat this problem and help balance the pH of the dog's skin. There is a wide variety on the market, but it is appropriate for the veterinarian to recommend one in particular.
For example, if dandruff is due to dry skin, the shampoo should contain a very low level of surfactants, while if the problem is caused by excessively oily skin, it should include some sebum-regulating active ingredient.
How to prevent dandruff
The keys to prevention are to use the appropriate hygiene and antiparasitic products, as well as to acquire the correct eating habits. We can list the following tips:
- Balanced diet. As we have seen previously, vitamin deficiencies can lead to this dermatological condition.
- High quality shampoos. To keep the animal's skin in good condition, we have to use a shampoo adapted to its breed and hair type. The best thing in this sense is that the veterinarian advises us.
- Frequent baths. Good hygiene is essential for the welfare of the animal. But we must be careful, since as we said before, excess baths can also lead to the appearance of dandruff.
- Protection against parasites. Many times it is parasites that cause this problem, which is often accompanied by others. For this reason, it is very important to keep your vaccination schedule up to date and offer you the necessary protection against parasites.