Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM
Dandruff not only afflicts humans but dogs as well. Most of the time, its manifestation is harmless. However, occasionally, it could be an indicator of an underlying illness.
Knowing the potential causes of dog dandruff will help you figure out how to manage and solve this skin condition. You can also learn to minimize dandruff on Fido by following the natural home remedies we have provided in this article.
What Is Dog Dandruff?
Dog dandruff is a skin condition that takes the appearance of flaky dead skin cells. Unlike human dandruff, it commonly occurs on the backs of pooches, particularly near their tails.
Dog Dandruff vs. Seborrhea
Seborrhea is the medical term used for dog dandruff and sometimes they are used interchangeably. However, seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis is one of the skin problems that can cause dog dandruff.
It is brought on by the abnormal keratinization of the outer layer of the skin, hair follicles, and nails. This consequently leads to an increased scale formation and more frequent shedding.
Therefore, dog dandruff is a symptom of seborrhea rather than the disease itself.
Seborrhea also causes the overproduction of skin oil or sebum, resulting in greasy skin.
What Causes Dog Dandruff?
There is a wide variety of factors that can contribute to the existence of dandruff on dogs such as:
1. Diet and Nutrition
Some nutrients play a vital role in maintaining good skin and coat health in canines such as vitamin E and healthy fatty acids like omega-3. A deficiency of these nutrients in your furry pal’s diet will lead to dermatological problems such as dog dandruff.
However, overabundance is not a good thing too. For instance, excessive intake of omega-3 fats can lead to oily and flaky skin.
So work with a certified veterinary nutritionist to ensure that your pet’s dog food contains complete and balanced levels of nutrients.
2. Excessive Bathing
Bathing your dog once should only be done once in a while, specifically when he gets very dirty. Frequently washing his coat significantly strips off their skin oils, which can cause dog dandruff.
Some dog shampoos and other bathing products for pets also contain ingredients that are too harsh for your canine companion’s skin. It may trigger dryness, irritation, and eventually, flaky skin.
3. Environment
If you live in a dry climate, especially one that has a winter season, it can excessively dry out the skin of dogs. This is made worse by forced air heating. So if winter months come around, Fido is more likely to develop dog dandruff.
4. Parasite Infestation
Some kinds of mites are microscopic, but Cheyletiella mites are visible to the eye. These parasites are nicknamed walking dandruff because they appear like white flakes of dog dandruff. Sarcoptic mange, caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, also leads to dandruff.
Similar to most parasitic insects, Cheyletiella mites can be spread to other dogs.
5. Preexisting Health Conditions
Several types of canine illnesses can affect the skin health of dogs and cause dandruff such as:
- Bacterial and fungal infections on the skin
- Food allergies
- Environmental allergies
- Hypothyroidism
- Cushing’s disease
- Seborrhea
- Diabetes
- Obesity
For dandruff to go away completely, these health issues must be given proper treatment.
However, note that some cases of dandruff on dogs are simply idiopathic, meaning its root cause cannot be determined.
What Are the Symptoms of Dog Dandruff?
White flakes on your dog’s coat are a telling sign that he has dandruff. This symptom may be also accompanied by:
- Increased scratching
- Red and irritated skin
- Excessively dry or oily skin
Most cases of dog dandruff are harmless. However, severe dandruff can occur, which incites more concerning clinical signs such as:
- Bad skin odor
- Hair loss
- Constant licking and scratching
- Sores
- Scaby skin
Proper diagnosis must be carried out since the root cause of dog dandruff might be serious and require immediate medical treatment.
The veterinarian will conduct a series of lab tests to narrow down and determine the potential cause of dandruff on dogs. These include assessing skin scraping samples, blood tests, and allergy tests.
Read: Fight Fleas Naturally: 4 Home Remedies for Your Dog
3 Natural Home Remedies for Dog Dandruff
Bring relief to dogs with dandruff by using these natural remedies you can easily make at home:
1. Coconut Milk as Natural Remedies for Dog Dandruff
According to a study, the oil found in coconut milk is rich in vitamin E and healthy fatty acids that enrich the skin and stop dandruff.
While there is a lack of research on dogs to definitively prove this, many animal and human studies have shown the ability of coconut milk to improve skin health.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup organic, preservative-free, and unsweetened coconut milk
- ¼ cup 100% pure virgin coconut oil
Instructions
- Combine both ingredients in a bowl.
- Use a spoon to mix the coconut milk and coconut oil thoroughly.
- Smear a small amount of this dog dandruff home remedy on the palm of your hands.
- Gently work it on your dog’s coat for 10 minutes or until completely absorbed by his skin.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour before wiping him down with a clean damp cloth.
- Apply this natural dog dandruff treatment on Fido at least 2 times a day.
Nutritional information
- Coconut milk contains nutrients such as vitamins C and E, which function as antioxidants that boost the immune system of dogs.
Note
- Avoid using low-fat coconut milk to make this dog dandruff remedy because you want to take full advantage of its healthy fatty acids.
2. Aloe Vera as a Natural Remedy for Dog Dandruff
Research indicates that the gel of the aloe vera is a natural skin moisturizer with anti-inflammatory abilities. It can help inhibit certain symptoms of dandruff on dogs such as irritated and scaly skin.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh aloe vera gel
- ¼ cup mild dog shampoo
- 2 tablespoons vitamin E oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add all the ingredients and stir them together using a ladle or a spoon.
- Keep mixing until everything is well-combined.
- When bathing your dog, apply this homemade aloe vera anti-dandruff shampoo on affected areas of his body.
- Make sure to give him a gentle but thorough scrubbing.
- Allow this dog dandruff remedy to stay on his coat for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing it off completely.
Additional information
- Aloe vera has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help treat different types of skin infections in dogs.
Note
- When extracting the gel from the aloe vera plant, remove the sap found in the leaves since it is a skin-irritant.
3. Green Tea as a Natural Remedy for Dog Dandruff
A study states that green tea has an exfoliating effect on the skin. Thus, it can aid in the removal of dead skin cells causing dandruff on dogs.
Additionally, green tea also serves as a natural moisturizer. So pawrents do not need to worry about this natural home treatment drying out their dog’s skin.
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons dried or fresh green tea leaves
- 6 tablespoons raw honey
Instructions
- Mash both ingredients using a mortar and pestle to form a paste or combine them in a food processor.
- Massage this homemade dog dandruff remedy on the affected areas of your dog’s body.
- Wait for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off.
Nutritional information
- Giving green tea to dogs with GI problems can help settle their upset stomachs.
- Adding it to the water of dogs reduces foul mouth odor and promotes fresher breath.
FAQs About Dog Dandruff
1. Why Does My Dog Have Dandruff?
There are many possible reasons why your dog has dandruff, including:
- Nutrition imbalance
- A dry and humid climate
- Overbathing
- Parasite infestation
- Underlying health problems
Seeking a veterinarian’s expertise will help diagnose the main cause of dandruff on dogs. However, remember that some cases of dandruff have no determining trigger.
2. Should I Be Worried If My Dog Has Dandruff?
Generally, you do not need to worry about mild forms of dog dandruff. They are sometimes brought on by environmental changes or excessive grooming.
On the other hand, severe dandruff on dogs warrants concern since it is very likely to be caused by a serious illness.
3. Is Dandruff Contagious to Dogs?
Dandruff is not contagious to dogs unless this skin condition was caused by an infectious condition such as Cheyletiellosis or Cheyletiella mite infestation and sarcoptic mange.
This is another pressing reason why your dog needs to acquire a diagnosis from the veterinarian.
4. How to Get Rid of Dog Dandruff at Home?
You can get rid of dog dandruff at home with home remedies like green tea, coconut milk, and aloe vera. They have moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and exfoliating abilities that can hasten the resolution of dandruff on dogs.
Summary
Dog dandruff does not cause serious harm to dogs, but it can cause itching and discomfort. Relieve your furry pal of these symptoms with the help of natural remedies like coconut milk, green tea, and aloe vera.
Coconut milk and aloe vera moisturizes and hydrates the skin and soothes inflammations. Green tea exfoliates dead skin cells that eventually turn into dandruff on dogs.
These home treatments only target dog dandruff, not the main problem causing this skin condition. We advise bringing Fido to the veterinarian for diagnosis, especially if he has severe dandruff.
Dry skin is another dermatological problem in dogs to watch out for as it can worsen dandruff. Learn how to treat it at home by reading our article “Dog Dry Skin Dilemma: Why It Occurs and How To Treat It Naturally.”
