How to stop dandruff in dogs: Dog Dandruff Causes and Plant-Based Treatments – Wondercide

Dog Dandruff Causes and Plant-Based Treatments – Wondercide

Dog Dandruff: Causes and Plant-Powered Treatments

Dog Dandruff: Causes and Natural Treatments

Those little white flakes you spot on your dog’s coat may not be a serious problem, but they can signal that your dog’s health is compromised beneath the surface. Dog dandruff is usually a secondary condition that springs from a deeper issue. Even if your pup seems perfectly healthy, you’ll need to get to the bottom of it before you be rid of those flakes and dry skin for good.

Dog dandruff (seborrhea) as a primary condition is rare. There’s a small chance that oily, flaky skin is a hereditary issue or the result of a systemic condition like adrenal disease, hypothyroidism, or diabetes. However, it’s more likely that your dog’s dandruff results from one of the following:

• Cheyletiella yasguri mites – Cheyletiella mites, unlike sarcoptic mites, hang out on the surface of your dog’s coat rather than burrowing into the skin. They cause dandruff, often dubbed “walking dandruff” because of the way the mites move through the skin flakes.
• Fungal or bacterial infections – Infections irritate and dry out the skin, sometimes causing more skin cells to grow too rapidly, resulting in the excess sloughing off. This covers a broad range of different infections and parasites from ringworm to impetigo (a bacterial infection marked by red sores).
• Environmental factors – If you live in an arid climate, the air may be drying out your dog’s skin.
• Over vaccination or suppressed immune health could be the cause, especially if your pup was recently rescued or adopted.

There are two types of dandruff: dry (seborrhea sicca) and oily (seborrhea oleosa). The two may co-occur. Identifying dandruff is usually pretty straightforward. Skin dryness or an overproduction of skin cells cause skin to flake off, while excess oil produced by the sebaceous glands produces oiliness and an odor. The itchiness leads your dog to scratch, nibble, and lick its own skin, potentially causing further irritation.

If you suspect the condition is severe and you think there might be a chronic underlying cause, skip the home treatment and visit a holistic veterinarian. Your veterinarian may need to perform skin scrapings or blood tests to diagnose the root of the problem and offer adequate dog dandruff treatment. Don’t wait for your pup to get more and more uncomfortable as her symptoms worsen.

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How Do I Know What’s Causing My Dog’s Dandruff?

If the case of dandruff is mild and accompanied by minor itching and no open sores, you may not need to visit a veterinarian to discover the source of your dog’s dandruff. There are a few tactics you can try at home to pinpoint the cause and help your pup overcome this uncomfortable, itchy problem. You may want to try these one at a time in the order of “most likely” to “least likely.” That way, you can more easily observe the exact cause of the dandruff, weed out unlikely factors, and prevent the condition from developing again in the future.

First, if you see your dog itching at dry, irritated skin and you don’t see white flakes characteristic of dandruff, your dog may have a different, more serious conditions such as mange, which is caused by sarcoptes or demodex mites. Mange can expose your dog to serious complications, like bacterial infections and sores. Check out our article on dog mites if you’re not sure whether the problem you’re seeing is mere dandruff. If you suspect your dog has mange, visit a holistic veterinarian before the condition worsens.

If you think the climate may be drying out your dog’s skin, try purchasing a humidifier for your home and see if that helps. You can also try a moisturizing Oatmeal & Honey dog shampoo made with plant-powered ingredients.  

You may see movement along your dog’s coat, which, as mentioned above, may indicate the presence of cheyletiella mites (again, these are not the same as the mites that cause mange). Mites are too tiny to see with the naked eye, but you may be able to see the eggs if you comb through the dog’s hair with a fine-toothed comb or dab with a piece of clear tape. If you suspect the presence of this type of mite, you don’t need to run straight to a veterinarian’s office. First, wash all of your dog’s bedding and plush toys as well as any furniture, rugs, or sheets she might have come into contact with. Wash your dog with warm water and gentle shampoo. Patiently comb through the hair and rinse again. Dogs contract mites through close contact with other dogs (and cats), so keep your pet away from daycare, dog parks, and boarding facilities while you wait to see if the condition clears up. Humans can contract cheyletiella mites, but they can’t complete their lifecycle on human skin. They may cause momentary and minor skin irritation on you or other people in your household, but that will resolve itself, especially if you wash with warm water.

You shouldn’t bathe your dog more than once or twice a month with a soapy cleanser. Frequent baths can lead to an unbalanced PH and skin irritation. Try a gentler dog shampoo or stop bathing your dog for a few weeks to see if a product may be the source of the irritation. If you regularly make professional grooming appointments for your dog, hold off for a little while and see what happens.

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Now, let’s talk about allergies. “Allergies” is such a broad terms covering a host of potential irritants, so it can be intimidating to consider. But the solution may be as simple as upgrading your furry best friend’s diet from processed food containing common irritants (like grain, dairy, and soy) to a well-rounded diet that supplies the needed vitamins and minerals. Switching to high quality food is an essential step of holistic health treatment, and is preferable to simply treating the surface symptoms of a problem. A healthy diet will in turn help your dog maintain a healthy, shiny coat.

Another possibility is that your dog has flea allergy dermatitis. If you see springy little wingless insects ranging in color from reddish-brown to black, you may need to rid your dog and home of fleas before investigating other potential causes of the dandruff.

If you think your dog may suffer from allergies but don’t see any improvement after switching to quality food, healthier treats, and plant-powered skin care products, you may need to visit a holistic veterinarian who can help diagnose your dog’s allergies and their sources.

Puppies are more likely to have contagious bacterial infections due to their developing immune systems and close contact with other dogs. If your dog is younger than one year old, you may want to visit a holistic veterinarian before you try home remedies.

Some breeds, such as basset hounds, cocker spaniels, labrador retrievers, and dachshunds, are just naturally more prone to dandruff. However, finding that your dog’s breed is prone to this condition doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to alleviate it. A healthy diet and a gentle routine of brushing and bathing with the right skin care products should improve the situation.

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Other Dog Dandruff Treatment Tips

It can take some experimenting to find out the underlying cause of your dog’s dandruff. While you wait and make observations, here are a few tips to keep in mind to make sure your dog is healthy and comfortable:

• Make sure your dog always has access to clean, fresh water. Dehydration leads to dry skin.
• When you decide to switch your dog’s food to a healthier, plant-powered brand or type, make sure to slowly transition by mixing the new food with the old for several days. This will prevent digestive issues.
• Brush your dog daily, and do so gently. This will not only rake away the flakes and help prevent excessive shedding – it will distribute the natural oils throughout the coat.
• Choose a dog food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. This is the good kind of fat that your dog needs in order to flourish.
• Use a gentle skin tonic spray formulated to treat dry and itchy skin. You can spray this directly on the affected area.
• The same way you choose gentle products for your dog’s skin, make sure you’re choosing gentle cleaning products for your home. The same goes for any pest control you use on your lawn and garden. There are effective alternatives powered by natural essential oils to use instead! Quality products will not only keep you and your pets safe, but will also spare beneficial insects like pollinators who are just trying to do their jobs!
• If you need a quick and easy home remedy, mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar and wipe the solution on your dog’s skin with a cloth or cotton balls. This gentle remedy is actually a great last-minute help for many skin conditions.
• If you’re frequently bathing your dog with dandruff-alleviating shampoo, make sure to keep her ears dry so as to avoid the risk of developing ear infections.
• Walk and exercise your dog regularly, as exercise supports overall health, including immune system health.
• Dogs can perpetuate and worsen skin conditions by biting, chewing, and licking the affected area. While you’re waiting for new products and habits to work their magic, try keeping your pooch distracted from attempting to groom their problems away by providing a new chew toy, such as naturally-shed elk antler.
• Don’t use a blow dryer to dry your dog after a bath. This can dry out her skin.
• If you think your dog may have cheyletiella mites, treat the other animals in the house (cats, too!) and their belongings as well.
• Don’t automatically treat two breeds alike. If you have more than one dog, take each dog’s separate needs into account. Research each breed’s health conditions and look for solutions that specifically address their common skin issues.
• Pet dandruff can trigger allergic responses in humans. If you think you may be allergic to pet dander, be sure to take care of yourself so you can take great care of your pup!

The best way to ensure that your dog won’t repeatedly struggle with dandruff or other skin conditions is to treat your dog holistically and make lifestyle changes. Diet, exercise, and every choice you make about products – from treats to dog shampoo – has an effect on your dog’s overall health. Don’t just tackle the symptoms of dandruff; make sure your pup is living a well-rounded, healthy life.

Solutions Center

6 Ways to Help Prevent Dog Dandruff

Does your dog have dandruff? Are you looking for ways to help alleviate his itching and cut down on the flakes in his fur at the same time? Naturally, we all want our pets to look their best with a shiny healthy coat.   Dandruff is not an uncommon problem in dogs that can definitely affect how your dog looks.  If your dog is dealing with dandruff, it’s important to get to the bottom of the issue.

6 Tips to Help Get Rid of and Prevent Dog Dandruff

In the article below, you’ll find out more information about some of the best ways to prevent or completely get rid of dandruff on your dog. Read through this list to see if any of these solutions may work well for your needs.

Below are tips that can help get rid of or completely prevent dog dandruff:

Consider Food Allergies

Food allergies are one of the most common causes of dandruff in dogs. Dogs who have food allergies may have poor skin health and poor coat condition, and dandruff may be a symptom associated with these issues.

The good news is that once food allergies are diagnosed, they can often be easily treated. Event without a food allergy, a simple change in your dog’s regular diet to a healthier option with higher-quality ingredients can help eliminate dandruff.   If a food allergy is the cause, your veterinarian will guide you toward feeding a different type of main protein for your pet instead. Either of these solutions can take care of food allergies and get rid of dandruff associated with them.

Check for Fleas

Fleas don’t usually cause dandruff, but if your dog already has dry skin and is scratching a lot due to a flea infestation, there’s a chance you may notice more flakes than normal. Part your dog’s hair in several places on his body and look closely for signs that he might have fleas.

In severe instances, you may notice the fleas themselves crawling or hopping around on your dog. You might also see flea droppings that look like coffee grounds at the roots of the hair, or you may find flea eggs and larvae in the bedding. It can be tough to spot fleas, so if you suspect them, it’s a good idea to wash everything your dog comes into contact with.

Brush Your Dog

Sometimes, regular brushing is all it takes to help your dog’s dandruff ease up. Brushing with the right type of comb or brush for your pet’s hair type is an important part of taking care of your canine companion.

If you’re unsure about the type of brush to use, ask your veterinarian or a professional groomer for a recommendation. Keep up with frequent brushing, at least once a week, to cut down on the risk of dandruff returning.

Try an Oatmeal Bath

Another thing that can help prevent and/or get rid of dog dandruff is an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal baths can soothe irritated skin and nourish dry skin at the same time. You can purchase over-the-counter oatmeal bath solutions for dogs, or you can mix up your own with uncooked oatmeal, baking soda, and warm water. Either way, lather your dog well with the bath and then rinse it all off before drying him thoroughly.

The more often you give your dog an oatmeal bath, the less likely she or  he will be to suffer from skin irritations. This treatment may get rid of dandruff, and it may also help reduce the risk of hot spots and other skin conditions.

Use a Humidifier

Humidifiers can be great for dogs with dry skin as well as humans dealing with the same problem. During the colder months, it can get very dry in households where heaters are running, and a humidifier can add a little bit of much-needed moisture back into the air.

If you do choose to run a humidifier for your dog, make sure you keep it secured on a high shelf away from the reach of your pet. Tuck the cord out of the way, too, so there is no risk of your dog knocking the device over while it is in operation.

Consider Supplements

Finally, consider giving your dog supplements to help the skin and coat health. Fish oil supplements are often recommended for this purpose, but your vet may suggest another option as well. It’s important to always work with your veterinarian’s recommendations when it comes supplements, as your dog may have underlying health problems that alter the effectiveness of certain supplements.

If you do need to give your dog supplements, ask your vet for more information about where to find high-quality supplements that are safe for your pet to eat. Many times, human-grade supplements and vitamins are recommended, but this isn’t always the case.

Contact Heart + Paw for More Information about Dog Dandruff

There are many potential underlying causes of dandruff in dogs, but most of them are easily resolved. However, you may need to work with a vet to figure out what’s causing the problem, especially if some of the easier methods of treating it have not worked.

Talk to your vet about recommendations for your dog’s specific needs. The vet can help you diagnose the root cause of the dandruff and figure out the best solution to get rid of your dog’s flakes and keep him flake-free in the future, too.

If you have any questions about dog dandruff, or are wanting to scheduling a grooming appointment for your pet, contact our team at Heart + Paw today! With multiple locations that provide grooming services, our team has all the necessary skills and knowledge to make sure your pet as healthy as possible, in every aspect. Don’t wait, book an appointment with us now.

The dog’s skin is flaky: what to do?

The dog’s skin is flaky, it has become dry, dandruff has appeared. This is the problem dog owners face. The causes of occurrence are manifold. Let’s figure it out.

The dog itches, the skin is dry, possibly even inflamed and irritated. Crusts have formed on the skin, and white particles on the pet’s coat are dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. So the problem is called in medicine. Dandruff comes from the Latin “pityriasis” which means bran. It affects both the entire body of our pet, and individual areas. In addition, the color and shade of seborrhea varies from white, yellowish to red, pink or black in color and shade. This problem is always accompanied by an unpleasant odor. The result is an image of a dog with an untidy and unhealthy appearance. A number of questions are brewing: why did dandruff appear and how to get rid of it? Now about everything in order.

The condition of the skin can be affected by both malnutrition and care, and the presence of diseases. It is important to first find out the cause and then begin treatment.

Yury Lizvinsky Veterinarian, Head of Training Department, Apicenna LLC

Causes of problem

There are many etiologies of dandruff, here are some that are frequent:

1. Wrong diet. High-quality and complete nutrition of our pets is a guarantee of health. We also include clean water in this group.
2. Dry air in the house. Sharp temperature drop in winter. In summer, constantly high temperatures also adversely affect the skin. All this can be the root cause of the problem.
3. The presence of stressful situations. They say that “all diseases are from the nerves”, and stress directly affects the level of certain hormones in the body of our pet.
4. External and internal parasites and fungal infections. Chronic diseases and the presence of allergic reactions.
5. Improper animal care. It is not recommended to use human products: shampoos, balms, varnishes, mousses, gels for your favorite pets. For animals, special lines of cosmetics have been developed that will take much better and safer care of the quality of the skin and coat of the pet.

How to deal with peeling?

Dandruff is not a disease, but a symptom that needs to be treated. The coat has become dull, the dog smells unpleasant. Itching may occur, and since the pet is constantly itching, it is possible that a secondary bacterial infection will join if dirt gets into the scratched wound. It is important to correctly diagnose the cause of the disease in order to eliminate it. For this you need:

1. Go to a veterinary clinic, a dermatologist;
2. Submit a scraping;
3. Pass the necessary tests.

For treatment, generally regardless of etiology, Apicenna Chlorhexidine 4% Shampoo may be given to the affected dog.

Shampoo, evenly applied to wool moistened with warm water, at the rate of 1 ml per 1 kg, rub with massaging movements until foam is formed, avoid contact with mucous membranes. After 5-10 minutes, the shampoo is thoroughly washed off with warm water, the hair is dried and combed.

Antimicrobial shampoo is used for a minimum of 3-4 weeks, every 3-5 days until therapeutic effect occurs. The sulfate-free formula, which retains the active properties of chlorhexidine for a long time, contributes to the speedy recovery of the pet’s skin. The shampoo contains lactic acid, which has the effect of speedy cell renewal, also moisturizes, maintains the natural ph balance of the skin and hairline. Peeling of the skin, its dryness and dandruff is a frequent phenomenon. Often, seborrheic dermatitis cannot be completely cured, but effective prevention can and should be carried out to maintain the health of our pets. For this, a therapeutic antimicrobial shampoo with chlorhexidine 4% is suitable.

Please note that only your veterinarian can prescribe the drug. Before using the drug, you must read the instructions.

Take care of yourself and your pets.

How to get rid of pet hair and dander

As more and more people work from home, pets enjoy more interaction with their owners.

Pets are our faithful friends, from whom we receive boundless love and devotion. However, no matter how much time we spend at home, keeping furry pets is associated with less pleasant “gifts” – wool, down and dandruff.

But now we have a special air purifier for pet owners. It will help reduce the amount of pet dander in the air, and therefore alleviate or even avoid allergies. From now on, you can communicate with your pets without unwanted consequences!

What is pet dander?

Pet dander is dead skin flakes from cats and dogs that can cause allergies in people who are prone to it. For many years, pet hair and fluff were thought to be the main cause of allergies, but dander is usually the irritant.

What type of allergy can pet dander cause?

Allergies develop in people whose immune systems mistakenly recognize pet dander as a harmful invader that needs to be fought back. In response, the body produces antibodies. The classic signs and symptoms of such a reaction are classified as allergic.

Allergies to cats and dogs are more common in people with hay fever or allergic asthma.

What are the typical signs and symptoms of a pet dander allergy?

The most common symptoms of pet allergies are:

• Itchy skin
• Watery eyes
• Sneeze
• Cough
• Labored breathing
• Skin rash or urticaria
• Worsening of pre-existing conditions such as eczema and asthma

Allergy to pet dander is selective – not all family members may develop it. In addition, sometimes allergies occur after many years of interaction with a pet.

Allergies can occur at any time

As of 2019, approximately 85 million families in Europe have at least one pet, and the average rate of allergy to cats and dogs is 26.3% and 27.2% respectively ( there is a wide variation in these figures between EU member states)[A1].

An estimated 10% of the UK population is allergic to animals. According to the Pet Food Manufacturers Association, there are 8.5 million dogs and 7.5 million cats in the country, indicating a huge number of people with allergies!

Perhaps in the past, when there were fewer pets, and the absence of central heating and double-glazed windows in the house was cooler and more drafty, the problem of allergies was not so acute.

In the 21st century, hypoallergenic breeds of cats and dogs appeared, which supposedly have a more gentle effect on allergy sufferers. Among dogs, these are the Bichon Frize, Poodle, and among cats, the Cornish and Devon Rex. It is assumed that people who are prone to allergies are less susceptible to dander in these breeds, but anecdotal evidence suggests that this is not actually the case.

How to reduce pet dander in the air in your home

There are different ways to reduce pet dander in the air. One of them is maintaining impeccable order. However, even the most thorough dusting with a rag and a vacuum cleaner will not completely rid the house of dandruff.

Pet dander is in the air of the house and circulates around its inhabitants, so in one or another amount it, and with it allergens, will be present even in a spotlessly clean room.

It is possible to restrict animals from certain rooms, to prevent them from jumping on upholstered furniture, but this will reduce the amount of hair without solving the dandruff problem. Taking antihistamines only masks the problem. Most people do not want to think about saying goodbye to their pets, but the suffering from allergies is pushing this step too.

How to get rid of pet dander in the air

Many people think that the only way to get rid of allergic suffering is to find a new home for the animal or endlessly taking antihistamines. But there is a less radical solution – an air purifier.

Air purifiers significantly improve air quality in residential and commercial environments, and the new special TruSens filters recently released by Leitz will effectively deal with dandruff and pet hair.

Thanks to its 360 degree filtration, the Leitz TruSens air purifier captures not only common pollutants but, in combination with a special filter, also dander and pet odors – that is, all unwanted traces, including those invisible to the human eye.

How an air purifier fights pet dandruff

Leitz TruSens air purifiers are available in three types to suit different room sizes. Each device is equipped with a unique SensorPod sensor that evaluates the state of the air in the entire room, and not just around it. Information about the level of air pollution is displayed on a digital display.

Dual air supply of clean air, proven to be the most efficient technology for complete room coverage. Now you can easily remove pet dander, dust, and other pollutants that can affect the quality of the air you breathe at home.

The special Leitz TruSens 3-in-1 HEPA filter for pet rooms adds another level of air protection to your home. Using the most advanced technology, the Leitz TruSens purifier itself ensures high air quality throughout the entire room.