What Are The Best Dog Dandruff Treatments? What Causes Dandruff In Dogs? 

Low-humidity climates often lead to severe conditions such as dandruff. Moreover, this is a common phenomenon among humans. 

However, did you know that dandruff in dogs is also something very common, especially during the winter? Specifically, certain breeds remain more susceptible to dandruff-related problems. Dog dandruff is called seborrheic dermatitis. 

In dogs, it affects keratin production. Keratin is the protein responsible for the texture of skin and hair. Thus, it creates a protective outer coating around the hair and skin. 

In the cases of seborrhea in canines, the body of the animal starts producing too much keratin, or it does not produce keratin at all. 

This defect in the mechanism of keratinization causes the dog to become very dry, greasy, and lackluster.  

Thus, dog dandruff treatment mostly involves controlling seborrhea and its effects on keratinization. 

Do Dogs Really Suffer From Dandruff?

Dog dandruff is almost similar to human dandruff. Moreover, this happens because dead skin cells flake off faster than usual.  

Thus, you get to see too many flakes of dead skin cells sticking to the fur or the coat of your dog. The dry flakes generally build near the tail or the back. 

Thus, you get to notice them as you pet or scratch your dog. The dog’s skin produces a natural oil called sebum that keeps the skin moisturized.  

But excessive sebum production can lead to imbalances in skin texture and become a feeding ground for fungus and bacteria. 

This can lead to seborrheic dermatitis in dogs, as fungal growth can cause inflammation and damage skin. This leads to skin flaking in dogs.  

Moreover, dogs can suffer from various types of seborrheic dermatitis. This includes dry seborrhea and oily seborrhea. 

Hence, dog dandruff treatment mostly depends on the type of dog’s seborrheic dermatitis and its main cause. 

Why Is My Dog Getting Dandruff?

People often wonder why their dog is getting dandruff. However, there can be multiple reasons why dogs get dandruff. Here are some of the most common reasons that you should consider. 

1. Dry Skin  

Dry skin is one of the most common causes of dog dandruff. The dog’s skin often loses its natural oils for several reasons. 

Moreover, the loss of natural oils can be caused by environmental factors such as low humidity, more frequent and irresponsible bathing schedules, and others. 

Furthermore, these conditions often result from the use of harsh shampoos. Exposure to harsh cleansing agents strips the dogs’ protective layer of natural oils. 

2. Nutrition  

Nutrition plays a significant role in managing a dog’s skin health. Dogs often suffer from skin and coat issues when their diet lacks essential nutrients. 

A healthy diet for a dog’s skin and coat should include essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. It should be rich in omega-3 fatty acids. 

3. Food Allergies 

Allergic reactions often lead to some of the worst conditions in dogs. The dog’s body often treats several dietary components as allergens. This often happens with protein. 

The canine body often misinterprets certain proteins as allergens. Thus, the dog has to eat either hydrolyzed protein or take protein from other novel sources.  

As a result, you should always provide your dogs with vet-approved diets. The use of novel proteins and hydrolyzed proteins can be an ideal dog dandruff treatment. Dandruff can often be caused by feeding your dog the wrong food. 

4. Mites And Fleas In The Dog  

Mites and fleas often irritate the skin of a dog. The irritation triggers inflammation beneath the coat. The mites can cause issues such as inflammation, severe itching, and flaky skin. 

Thus, a proper dog flea shampoo can be the best treatment for dog dandruff. The dog’s parents should consult their vet and get the best dog flea shampoo containing ingredients like pyrethrins. 

5. Side Effects of an Underlying Condition  

At times, dandruff is not a condition itself but a symptom of an underlying condition. The dog can suffer from various conditions like hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease. 

Hypothyroidism can lead to dry skin and other coat-related problems in dogs. This happens because the thyroid gland remains severely underactive in dogs.  

On the other hand, Cushing’s disease affects the adrenal gland of the dogs. Thus, this can lead to skin issues, such as dandruff, in dogs. 

Moreover, these things often happen more in older dogs. Thus, the dog’s parents should take their dog to a vet who has experience treating older dogs. 

6. Bacterial And Other Fungal Infections 

Canine skin often produces large amounts of oil. Thus, this oil can lead to problems. The oil turns a dog’s coat into a feeding ground for fungus and bacteria. 

Thus, the overproduction of natural oil often leads to yeast infections. Hence, these conditions lead to more inflammation in the dog’s skin and cause flakes. 

What Are The Best Dog Dandruff Treatments?

Dandruff in dogs can be caused by several problems. Hence, it is important to investigate the underlying cause of dandruff.  

Here are some possible dog dandruff treatments, which depend mostly on the cause. 

1. Grooming The Dog Regularly With A Brush  

While you cannot bathe your dog every day, you can always brush your dog. Moreover, bathing the dog can strip the coat of its natural moisturizing oils. 

On the other hand, brushing a dog removes dead skin cells from its body. Furthermore, it also exfoliates flakes and distributes natural oils.  

The dog’s parents should definitely use a proper brush suited to the dog’s coat type. This shall reduce any further irritation to the dog’s skin. 

The dog parents can always reach out to the professionals who groom dogs. Professional grooming businesses can provide the best results.   

2. Bath The Dog With Moisturizing Shampoo  

Dandruff in dogs can be caused by dry skin. Moreover, this can be caused by the loss of natural oils or a lack of humidity in the climate during the dry seasons.  

Thus, you should use a moisturizing shampoo on your fur baby during these situations. Using a moisturizing shampoo helps keep the skin hydrated, leading to fewer flakes.  

3. Better Diet  

Provide your dog with a diet optimized with nutrients like Omega-3 and Omega-6. Hence, this will improve your dog’s coat and skin health. 

The dog shall eat things like fish oil and others that remain rich in Omega-3. Always provide your dog with vet-approved diets only. Thus, a better diet can act as a dog dandruff treatment. 

4. Hydrolyzed And Novel Protein 

The canine body often recognizes certain proteins as allergens. Thus, the body starts to react to them. This could lead to conditions like dandruff in dogs.  

Hence, the dog’s parents should provide their dog with hydrolyzed proteins or novel proteins that the dog has never eaten. Consult a vet before you start feeding your pet with a hydrolyzed or novel protein.  

5. Check The Dogs Regularly For Parasites

Ticks, fleas, and other conditions in dogs can be caused by parasites. Thus, using shampoos to get rid of ticks and fleas can lead to better conditions in dogs.  

Always get approval from the vet before using an anti-flea shampoo on your dog. Do not use the anti-flea shampoos regularly as a dog for dandruff treatment. Moreover, the cleansing components can be very harsh on a dog’s skin. 

When Should You Visit The Vet For Dog Dandruff Treatment?

Dandruff may not look like a big deal. Hence, you can manage dandruff at home in most cases. However, certain situations require proper veterinary supervision. 

Dandruff in dogs often does not resolve regular grooming and dietary changes. Prolonged dandruff can indicate an underlying issue in the dog. 

Hence, you should always go to a professional when the dog excessively bites, scratches, or licks their skin. 

Itching that persists can indicate skin infections and other complications. Visit a vet to treat open sores, redness, and prolonged dandruff in dogs.  

Prolonged symptoms can indicate underlying severe conditions in the dogs. Thus, prompt medical attention and proper veterinary care can resolve the situation. 

These conditions are accompanied by several other symptoms, such as lethargy, weight loss, changes in appetite, and others.  

Consider These Things While You Seek Dog Dandruff Treatment 

You should always consult a veterinarian before applying any remedy or precautionary measure mentioned on the internet. We at the Pets Magazine post information for informative purposes. 

Thus, you should always consult a vet and not conduct any experiments on your dog that is already suffering. Ill-informed experimental treatment can worsen the condition.  

Hence, understand the severity of the condition and take your pet to the vet before it’s too late. Correct treatment at the correct time can prevent your pet from suffering. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about dog dandruff treatment.