Dogs, just like us humans, can also suffer from dandruff. If you've recently noticed white dots in your friend's fur, it's likely dandruff. Find out. why does my dog ​​have dandruff. 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.
Symptoms of dandruff in dogs and areas where it appears
Dandruff is observed as whitish scales that shed from the skin and accumulate on the coat or bedding. In many cases, it's just a sign that something isn't right and may be accompanied by other symptoms: coarse or oily hair, alopecia in patches, itching (sometimes very intense), reddened skin or thickened, hyperpigmentation y scabs. If you also detect fatigue, bad smell or changes in behavior, it is advisable to consult.
Veterinarians distinguish dandruff localized (in a specific area) and widespread (throughout the body). Location guides the cause; consult skin diseases: tail base (frequent in flea allergies), ears and head (typical in mites), back (area rich in sebaceous glands), cuello, armpits and belly (suggests allergies or contact dermatitis), between the fingers (possible fungi) or around the eyes and snout (environmental irritations).
Why does my dog ​​have dandruff?
Hay 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 stay well nourished. Consult diets for skin problems in persistent cases.
In addition, it is important that the food provides omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (e.g. fish oil), biotin y Group B vitamins, as they support the skin barrier and reduce flaking. A diet low in these nutrients can promote Dry Skin, dull hair and dandruff.
Hormonal changes
Such as the Hypothyroidism, the ovarian imbalance or Leydig cell tumor, they can present symptoms such as dandruff because the skin loses its natural fats that keep it hydrated.
Other endocrine disorders (e.g., hyperadrenocorticism) also modify the quality of sebum and skin renewal. symmetric alopecia, thickened and hyperpigmented skin, the veterinarian usually orders tests to confirm the cause.
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 either. It is also highly recommended to use a natural dog shampoo, as it will better respect the skin's pH and, in addition, will not harm the environment.
As a general rule, avoid human shampoo and Very frequent baths without indication, since they dry out the skin. In oily skin, the veterinarian may prescribe degreasing shampoos and, on dry skin, moisturizing shampoosThe important thing is to adapt the frequency and the product to the real need of the skin.
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.
Chronic stress alters skin immunity and can aggravate dermatitis and scaling. In these cases, improve game routines, exercise and environmental enrichment often help.
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.
In dogs, the most common thing is to talk about seborrheic dermatitis primary (hereditary, less frequent) or secondary (due to allergies, infections, parasites, or nutritional deficiencies). Your veterinarian will differentiate between these conditions and recommend appropriate management.
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.
A very common mite is Cheyletiella, known as «walking dandruff» because the scales appear to move. It is contagious among dogs and can even temporarily affect people, so it requires specific deworming and cleaning of the environment.
Other Influencing Factors
- Age: Older dogs are more prone to dandruff due to skin changes.
- Environment/Atmosphere: The dry air and the cold promotes dryness and flaking.
- Young: During moulting periods, the presence of scales may increase.
- Environments with artificial light: Indoor light can disrupt the shedding cycle, causing continuous fall and more dead cells visible.
- Allergies environmental or dietary factors that trigger itching and secondary seborrhea.
How to treat my dog's dandruff
Now that we know what causes dandruff in dogs, 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 we must not forget brush it once a day to remove dead hair.
For dry skin, opt for gentle and moisturizing shampoos and complete rinses; for oily skin, choose degreasers that help remove excess sebum. Massage during bathing facilitates the removal of dead cells. In cases that require specific products, there are options such as Vetriderm for dogs indicated by the veterinarian.
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.
As support, you can include: Supplements with omega-3/6, biotin or folic acid, useful for skin and hair health. Consult your veterinarian for dosages and how to reduce shedding.
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.
Exercise reduces Stress and improves skin circulation, two allies to maintain a more balanced.
Veterinary treatments according to the cause
To relieve discomfort and address the problem at its root, the veterinarian may indicate:
- Antiparasitics (pipettes, tablets or collars) if there are fleas, ticks or mites.
- Antifungals oral or topical in case of fungi such as tub.
- Antibiotics and topical therapy when available bacterial folliculitis.
- Antihistamines o corticosteroids to control allergic outbreaks, always under supervision.
- Hypoallergenic diets or testing protocols if food allergy is suspected.
As supporting measures, take care of the environment (clean bed, humidity adequate) and maintain brushing routines constants make the difference.
Diagnosis: How the veterinarian detects it
If your dog scratches a lot, loses clumps of hair, or has persistent dandruff, see your vet. To identify the cause, the veterinarian will ask you about your condition. diet, habits of hygiene, antiparasitic treatments and medication figure.
- Try with adhesive tape: it is glued onto flakes and observed under a microscope for Mites or lice.
- skin scraping y cytology: allows the detection of parasites, bacteria or fungi.
- Trichogramma and hair examination to assess the changes and the quality of the follicle.
- Blood Tests if suspected hormonal changes or allergies.
- In some cases, tests of allergy or elimination diets to confirm food sensitivities.
Prevention: How to avoid dandruff in dogs
- Bathrooms only when necessary and with specific shampoos for dogs, adjusting the frequency to their skin type.
- Regular brushing to remove dead hair and distribute natural oils.
- balanced nutrition with quality proteins and omega-3/6.
- Parasite control throughout the year with the method recommended by your veterinarian.
- clean environment: Wash your bed and blankets regularly, vacuum your carpets and sofas.
- Keep humidity adequate (humidifier in dry seasons).
- Hydration constant and exercise diary to reduce stress.
- Avoid the smoke and other indoor environmental irritants.
- Periodic reviews in the clinic to detect skin problems and parasites in time.
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, has an easy solution 
The professional will assess whether it is appropriate to adjust diet, modify bathing frequency, to schedule topical treatments more specific or perform new tests. It is not advisable to apply Home Remedies unsupervised, as they can worsen the condition. More information at dandruff in my dog's hair.
FAQs
Is dandruff contagious? Dandruff itself is not, but some causes (e.g., mushrooms o Mites (such as Cheyletiella) can be transmitted. They require treatment and hygiene measures.
How often should I bathe a dog with dandruff? As a guide, once a month or every 40 days, unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian. For oily skin, more frequent therapeutic baths may be prescribed; for dry skin, space out and use products moisturizers.
How do I differentiate between dry and oily dandruff? La drought They are fine, white flakes that fall off easily; fat has scales yellowish, oily skin and sometimes, odours.
When to go to the vet? If dandruff is PersistentThere intense itching, loss of hair, scabs, bad odor, or does not improve with basic care. See also My dog ​​has dandruff, what is the cause? if you look for possible causes.
Can it appear only on the spine? Yes. It is an area rich in sebaceous glands, so the seborrhea may be more noticeable there. It is also common in the tail base with flea allergies.
Identify in time the causes of dandruff and act with a Integral plan (diet, adapted hygiene, parasite control and veterinary care) quickly improves your dog's comfort and the quality of its coat, reducing relapses and keeping its skin strong and balanced throughout the year.
