Common
causes of pet dandruff
Dandruff or scaly skin may simply be caused by dry, poorly
hydrated skin. This is common as most pets eat dry kibble which is very
low in moisture and don't drink enough water every day—leading to constant mild
dehydration. The skin is very sensitive to dehydration and will readily
become dry and flaky in appearance. When pets develop medical problems
(such as allergies, infections and diabetes), the skin is often the first to
indicate a change in general health by becoming roughened and dry. If
your pet develops dry skin or a poor haircoat, consider the following
possibilities and talk to your veterinarian.
Dry skin or lusterless coats may indicate a deficiency or an
improper balance of essential fatty acids in the diet. Pet foods are
notoriously low in certain beneficial fatty acids. Fatty acids are
relatively fragile and prone to break-down by overcooking or improper storage
of dry food. Pets on fat-restricted (weight loss) diets may be at
increased risk for deficiency.
Dry or irritated skin may be an adverse reaction to foods
containing artificial dyes, additives and preservatives. True food
allergy to specific ingredients can also cause dry flaky skin.
Flea allergy, ringworm, mites, mange, yeast and bacterial
skin infections (yes, even in indoor pets!) will often cause itchiness, skin
redness and possibly hair loss along with dry scaly skin.
Seborrhea is a skin condition that causes a greasy, oily or
dry coat with very scaly skin.
Hormonal or endocrine problems (such as hyper- or
hypothyroidism, cushings syndrome and diabetes), immune problems (such as
lupus) and skin cancer (such as cutaneous lymphoma) are much more serious
causes of skin flakiness and most often associated with other complaints of
illness.
There are many causes of skin flakiness and various tests
may need to be performed for an accurate diagnosis. Most often a skin
scrape with microscopic examination at your veterinarian's office is the first
step. Occasionally hair or dandruff culture, allergy testing, skin biopsy
and/or blood tests will need to be performed.
Natural
Remedies for dandruff
If your pet is suffering from simply dry dehydrated skin,
bathing and dietary recommendations can often resolve the problem quite
readily.
Bathing—Choose
only detergent-free shampoo which contain natural botanical oils and extracts that
nourish the skin and coat instead of stripping the skin of its essential
oils. Some pets (notably cats!) are not thrilled with bathing and
spray-on conditioners can work wonders for dry skin.
Diet—A natural
high-quality pet food is recommended to avoid adverse reactions that may be
associated with foods containing meat meals, preservatives and other artificial
poor quality ingredients. Canned food should be included as part of a
healthy pet diet. Pets are similar to people in that they rarely drink enough
water and live in a state of mild dehydration. Canned food provides vital
water supplementation and is excellent for organ (including skin!) hydration.
Supplements—Fatty
acid supplements are crucial in all pets with skin conditions. Fatty
acids help eliminate inflammation within irritated skin and help improve skin
moisture and suppleness, regardless of the underlying problem. Many
people are familiar with the omega 3 fatty acids, commonly referred to as fish
oils. There are other beneficial anti-inflammatory fatty acids,
therefore, I prefer a broader fatty acid supplement such as Halo Dream
Coat. Its combination of six cold-pressed virgin oils (including fish
oil) achieves an ideal ratio of anti-inflammatory fatty acids and is a perfect
complement to a natural diet.
Depending on your pet's specific diagnosis, your
veterinarian may recommend additional therapies but these natural remedies for
dry skin will complement most treatment plans.
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