Dog Dandruff

Dog dandruff does not differ much from the type of dandruff humans get. Dandruff is nothing more than a build-up of dead skin cells and because dogs do not bathe every day or two, the dandruff can really begin to get noticeable.

Taking the time to bathe and brush your dog on a regular basis can help control the dog dandruff. You can buy special dog dandruff shampoos at pet stores that contain moisturizers that can help. Some homeopathic remedies for dog dandruff include applying small amounts of vegetable or olive oil to the affected area weekly. Encouraging your dog to drink lots of water can also help to keep excessive dog dandruff at bay.

While dog dandruff is usually nothing more than dead skin cells that have built up over time, it can be a sign of problems. Mites and fleas can cause some cases of dog dandruff because as the parasites feed on the dog, they leave debris behind. Also, dogs tend to scratch themselves excessively when they have fleas or mites which causes a lot of dead skin cells to loosen. It is therefore very important that you inspect your dog’s coat on a regular basis to ensure that he does not have any small critters living on his skin’s surface.

A poor diet can also lead to dog dandruff. Dogs need to be fed high quality dog food that is full of protein, fiber, minerals and essential fatty acids. If you feel that your dog is eating good quality food but he still has dandruff, have a talk with your vet to see if he can prescribe a dietary supplement or suggest another brand of food. You should know that certain breeds of dogs are more susceptible to getting dog dandruff than others, so ask your vet if your dog is among those dogs that tends to have dandruff. Your veterinarian might simply suggest that you brush your dog well each day so that you can loosen and remove many of the dead skin cells.

Your local pet store should sell a couple of products designed to treat dog dandruff. These products can be in the form of shampoos, tonics or supplements. Most pet shop owners are very knowledgeable about dog health so do not hesitate to ask for some advice. Do remember however, that the pet store owner is in business to make money which means that he will inevitably try to get you to buy at least one of the dog dandruff products he sells.

Dog dandruff can also be caused by many types of allergies. Maybe there is an ingredient in the dog food you feed your pet that triggers the problem or perhaps your dog is sensitive to the type of shampoo you use. You can ask your vet about this possibility as it is not unusual for dogs to allergic to the corn fillers often found in dog food as corn is not a a normal part of a canine’s diet.