Dogs, just like us humans, can get dander too. If lately you see that there are like little white dots in your friend's fur, it is very likely that it is her. How to avoid having it and what to do in the event that the problem has already appeared?
The first thing we have to do is know the causes of dandruff in dogs, since depending on each case, we will have to act in one way or another. We will talk about all this and much more in this special dedicated to dandruff in dogs.
Why does my dog have dandruff?
There are several causes why a dog may have dandruff, and they are:
Inadequate diet
It seems not, but the truth is that the diet also influences the health of the coat. In pet stores you can find a wide variety of brands of feed; some more appropriate than others, but at home you can prepare the daily meal, with chicken wings, organ meats and boiled fish, etc. Dogs are carnivorous animals, so the diet that is given will have to have a high percentage of meat so that the skin can be kept well nourished.
Hormonal changes
Such as the Hypothyroidism, ovarian imbalance or Leydig cell tumor, they can present symptoms such as dandruff because the skin loses its natural fats that keep it hydrated.
Bad hygiene habits
Whether the dog is not bathed enough or over-bathed, he can have dandruff. Remember that you should bathe once a month or every 40 days, no more ... but no less. Likewise, it is also highly recommended to use a natural shampoo for dogs, as it will better respect the pH of the skin and, in addition, it will not harm the environment.
Mood disorders
The dog can also end up having dandruff if he is going through a bad time. Either Stress, depression o anxietyIt must be taken into account that if the animal is not well, this discomfort will influence the health of all parts of the body, including the hair.
Weak immune system
If the dog has low defenses, it can end up suffering Psoriasis, which is a disease characterized by peeling of the skin, and whose main symptoms are itching and inflammation. It is very easy to confuse flakes with dandruff, so if you have doubts, I recommend that you take him to the vet for an examination.
Scabies
Another of the possible problems that dogs can have and that can make us believe that they actually have dandruff, is scabies. The mites that produce it are very small, and can quickly affect the entire body of the animal. If your dog scratches much more than usual, even to the point of injuring himself, and if his hair also starts to fall out, do not hesitate to take it to have it checked by a professional.
How to treat my dog's dandruff
Now that we know what the causes of dandruff in dogs are, let's see what to do to treat it:
Change hygiene habits
Whether you bathed him a lot or bathed him little, the first thing to do is change this habit. Dogs, as we said, it is only recommended to bathe them once a month or every 40 days, so, once a month, they will be bathed. If you want it to look clean every day, you can put talcum powder, which will neutralize the odor.
And by the way do not forget to brush it once a day to remove dead hair.
Give him a quality diet
The food that is given to the dog must not only have a high protein percentage, but also must contain oils and vitamins. If the feed you give it contains cereals (especially if they are among the first three ingredients), it is highly advisable that you change it for one that does not. If you can't afford it, there are feed containing rice, which is, so to speak, the least bad cereal, and 30kg bags cost about 15 euros.
Exercising so that the dog is happy
Anyone who lives with a dog should take it out for a daily walk to interact with other dogs and exercise. But at home you also have to take care of him. Dogs do not only need walks, but also it is very important to play with it several times a day so that you enjoy and be happy.
My dog is not getting better, what do I do?
If, despite all the advice and recommendations that we have given you, your dog continues to have dandruff, it is convenient that you take it to the vet as it may be a symptom related to a hormonal problem that needs to be reviewed by a specialist.
Dandruff in dogs can sometimes be caused by a serious problem, but most of the time, it has an easy solution 😉.