Treat dog dandruff: 5 Tips for How to Get Rid of Cat Dandruff and Dog Dandruff

Tell us more

PDSA Staff ID

Has this page helped you to care for your pet?

Have you learnt something new from reading this page?

Has this article helped you to understand when a vet is needed?

Did you experience any of the following issues?

Couldn’t watch the video

There was too much text to read

The text was too complicated / I didn’t understand the page

Had you heard of PDSA before you came to this site?

Which of the following best describes you?

— Please select —Pet owner registered with a PDSA pet hospital or PDSA Pet Care practicePet owner registered with a private vetPet owner not yet registered with a vetPDSA employeeVeterinary professional working/training outside of PDSAJust researchingOther

Any comments

Please note, our vets and nurses are unable to respond to questions via this form. If you are concerned about your pet’s health, please contact your vet directly.

Thank you for your feedback

Want to hear more about PDSA and get pet care tips from our vet experts?

Sign up to our e-newsletter

Written by vets and vet nurses. This advice is for UK pets only. Illustrations by Samantha Elmhurst.

Dog dandruff treatment, according to vets

Table of Contents

• What’s seborrhea
• Causes of doggie dandruff
• DIY remedies
• Primary and secondary seborrhea
• Get a vet diagnosis

The essentials

• Environmental conditions like winter are an issue — One of the typical skin conditions that occur when the seasons change is dandruff.
• Other causes of dandruff may be caused by an internal condition — A vet needs to rule out primary or secondary seborrhea found with conditions like parasites and allergies as these health issues also share dandruff as a symptom.
• Primary seborrhea is genetic and less common in dogs — It’s an inherited disorder typically diagnosed by ruling out other skin conditions first
• Secondary seborrhea may be found with certain health issues and looks like common dandruff — Both seborrhea and common dandruff are treated with a number of shampoos that help cleanse the skin and promote rehydration

What’s dandruff and how does it form?

Dandruff is excessive scales and the skin may or may not be oily. Pet owners may see excessive amounts of dead skin on their dog and they’ll notice their buddy is itching all the time. A dog’s skin consists of three layers (like human skin), and the top layer — the epidermis — is where the problem of dandruff occurs, according to experts at Tufts University.

A dog’s epidermis is composed of cells called keratinocytes. These cells are completely renewed every three to four weeks and at the end of the cycle, the cells die and slough off. Millions of cells get released individually every single day — and millions of new cells replace them. When something goes wrong you have dandruff: abnormal scaling of different cells. The cells stick together instead of sloughing off individually.

Why is dandruff an issue?

The epidermal barrier protects dogs from UV damage and prevents bacteria as well as fungus from getting into the body. Dandruff and damaged skin may cause issues for your pup. The skin cells help fight disease and prevent things from getting into the body. We’ll discuss seborrhea below but this condition occurs as a result of other diseases and is a disruption in the production of skin cells.

What’s causing your dog’s flaky skin?

Cold-weather. Dandruff in dogs is similar to the human type, and the flaky, scaly skin is easy to lift off the coat. But, unfortunately, what’s true for humans is also true for animals. During the winter months, the body sometimes can’t keep up with the balance of oils and bacteria, resulting in dry, itchy, and flaking skin.

Stress. Stress and anxiety can cause skin problems which create dandruff. Have you ever seen your pet leave the vet with dandruff that wasn’t there when you arrived? It’s not a myth! Your dog may return to you from a curbside vet visit with a few flakes on its skin. Don’t be alarmed, as this can happen during a stressful situation as it triggers dandruff to occur.

DIY remedies for common dog dandruff

Dandruff can be uncomfortable for your dog and cause itchy, dry skin, prone to breakage and infection. However, there are natural ways to help your dog with dandruff. You’ll know in the first few weeks if these remedies are helping:

• Daily brushing
• Soothing bath with dog shampoo
• Use a humidifier
• Apple cider vinegar has mild anti-fungal properties due to its acidity
• Topical vitamin E 
• Feed your dog a healthy diet that a boarded vet nutritionist has formulated
• Make an anti-itch spray
• Aloe vera
• Oatmeal shampoo
• Add omega-3 fatty acids to your dog’s diet

👉 When researching different ways to care for your dog’s coat, never use human shampoos or rinses. A dog’s fur needs a special shampoo designed for canines like Veterinary Formula’s Clinical Care Antiparasitic and Antiseborrheic Shampoo. 

This shampoo is an effective and affordable treatment for skin scaling caused by seborrhea, mange, and other parasitic and fungal infections.

Shop on Chewy

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Chewy

Shop on Amazon

When your dog is scratching a little, and you don’t think you need to seek veterinary attention, you can try over-the-counter products that are natural or even something you have on hand. However, if your dog is itchy (licking a lot), has any hair loss, crusts, redness, odor to the skin, or open sores, it’s best to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Your dog shouldn’t have any open wounds!

Benefits of fatty acids (especially during the winter)

Consider adding fatty acids to your dog’s diet. Omega 3 fatty acids are a perfect solution, which can be added to your dog’s meals. Start with a small dose. This ingredient is found in fish oil which supports your dog’s heart health, reduces itchy and flaky skin, and can help relieve allergies and joint pain.

It usually takes 4-8 weeks to see dandruff resolve after starting an omega-three fatty acid supplement. There are many excellent fatty acid supplements to add to your dog’s diet, including Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet and Natural Dog Company’s Salmon Oil.

Our favorite fatty acid supplement: Natural Dog Company’s Salmon Oil 

This healthy oil contains only one ingredient, wild-caught salmon, with zero questionable additives. It’s a great source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support your dog’s immune, joint, and cognitive health.

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Amazon

This product is as natural as it gets, made with 100% pure salmon oil. We love that it doesn’t contain any fillers, additives, or preservatives. Instead, it’s full of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to relieve allergies, reduce inflammation, and restore skin health.

Ingredients: Wild Alaskan salmon oil.

Disclaimer: Usually, these products are made from natural products and are safe for your dog to consume. That being said, any dog could be allergic to anything that goes inside its body.

👉 Whenever you give something new to your dog, watch them closely for 24-48 hours. Call your vet if you notice any hives, vomiting, or diarrhea.

A vet visit is needed if dandruff persists or the condition worsens

If it’s not winter and a daily brushing or bath didn’t help at all, it’s time to see the vet. If your dog is constantly itching, has dandruff, and opens wounds or sores, then schedule a vet appointment right away.

What symptoms may be signs of something more severe?

According to the Merck Vet Manual, “Secondary seborrhea is a sign of an underlying disease that causes excessive scaling, crusting, or oiliness, often accompanied by pus-filled inflammation, infection, and hair loss. ” A vet can determine if there’s an underlying health issue, here are signs to look out for:

• Redness
• Inflammation
• Accumulations of crust
• Itchiness
• Bacterial overgrowth
• Odor

The differences between primary and secondary seborrhea

Primary seborrhea is less common in dogs and is genetic. It usually develops in dogs under one year of age and is most commonly seen in the American cocker spaniel, basset hound, English springer spaniel, and West Highland white terrier. It’s an inherited disorder that’s usually diagnosed by ruling out other skin conditions first with diagnostic tests.

Secondary seborrhea is usually secondary to another skin disease. If the underlying skin condition is treated, then the seborrhea will resolve.

Take your pup to the vet for a diagnosis

A vet will consider possible internal or external causes, and dry skin may result from food allergies, parasites, immune issues, thyroid disease, and cancer. Possible causes of secondary seborrhea include:

• Allergies. Vets will ask about fleas, diet, and exposure to pollen.
• Pyoderma. There’s typically a rancid odor, crusts, and pustules.
• Parasites (Demodex, scabies, fleas, lice, walking dandruff). May be very itchy and consider mange, cheyletiella, and otodectes.
• Alopecia. Melatonin treatment may rule out seasonal flank alopecia.
• Nutritional factors (diet change) or diet deficient in omega 3 fatty acids. The lesions are multifocal, well-defined areas of scaling and crusting with prominent follicular keratosis.
• Endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism are recurring ear and skin infections as well as unexplained weight gain. The common causes of Cushing’s disease are increased thirst, urination, panting,  thinning of fur on rump and tail, and a pot-bellied appearance.
• Over bathing. The skin’s reaction after too many bathing sessions.
• Immune-mediated disease. Thrombocytopenia and Hemolytic Anemia are two examples. Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its platelets. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its red blood cells.
• Infection (bacterial, yeast, or ringworm). Skin infections can be due to bacteria or fungal organisms.

Disease classification (pet may have a combo)

Seborrheic diseases are classified based on appearance. These are important when you’re determining topical therapy. Typically pets have a combination of these three descriptions:

• Seborrhea sicca. Dry scales are the majority abnormality.
• Seborrhea oleosa. Oily haircoat.
• Seborrhea dermatitis. May be alopecia, pruritus, or erythema.

Topical therapy for seborrhea

There are medicated products prescribed by a vet, like hypoallergenic shampoos, to help with excessive scaling. For example, benzoyl peroxide shampoos are suitable for severely oily animals with only mild scaling. These types of shampoos cleanse the hair follicles.

Dandruff is a common skin condition in dogs

If you see white flakes in your dog’s fur, they’re likely dead skin cells, commonly referred to as dandruff. Your house may have low humidity or moisture during the winter months, and there are anti-dandruff shampoo options and natural remedies out there to help your buddy.

However, if your dog is developing a skin infection, has skin lesions, or itchy and regular grooming like daily brushing isn’t helping, you want to schedule a vet appointment as soon as possible. The dandruff may result from secondary seborrhea (e.g., Cushing’s disease) rather than an environmental change.

American Cocker spaniels, basset hounds, Dobermans, dachshunds, English Springer Spaniel, German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, and West Highland terriers are known to have skin issues. Yet all dog breeds are prone to skin issues as they’re all at risk for parasites, allergies, and endocrine disorders.

Therefore, it’s best to visit your vet if you live with one of these breeds and your pup is itching excessively, and natural treatments aren’t working within a few weeks.

Home Remedies for Dog & Cat Dandruff, White Flakes, & Dry Skin

The dog has dandruff. What to do?

Article reviewed by the chief veterinarian
Konchevoi Elizaveta Sergeevna

Normally, desquamation of the epithelium occurs in separate cells that are not visible to the naked eye. If this process is disturbed, the growth and development of epidermal cells can occur faster, and also due to pathological processes occurring in the skin, the cells begin to exfoliate not individually, but in large groups (scales), which are clearly visible on the coat and skin of the dog and are usually described like dandruff.

Dandruff can be observed evenly over the entire surface of the dog’s body or only in certain areas. In color, character and size, the scales can be white, gray, brown, yellowish, small, large, powdery, loose or attached to the skin or coat, dry or oily.

Normally, dandruff in dogs can appear when agitated or stressed (for example, when traveling to the veterinary clinic or to the country).

This can happen even after the dog has met his “foe” on the street and desperately rushed at him, showing all his power and fury, but at the same time remaining on a leash. In this case, you can notice that the entire pet’s coat is covered with dandruff, which is especially noticeable on dark-colored short-haired dogs. However, such dandruff will disappear as quickly as it appeared.

Pet Reviews

@lil.tom
Maincoon, Moscow
I am a new family member and my new friend Sharik didn’t want to be friends with me. 😿 Fortunately, the hostess quickly noticed the problem and bought us insurance. Now we go to couples consultations with our zoopsychologist. World. Friendship. Gum.

@barney_goodboy
Dobermann, Saratov
I accidentally ate my owner’s sock and my stomach hurt. 💩🤢😭 The day was ruined. It’s good that my insurance covers the consultation and treatment at the clinic. Mood and family budget did not suffer!

@mini_ralf
Labrador, Tula
I’m still just a puppy, and big dogs constantly bully me in the yard. I return home beaten and bitten 🤕. But I do not lose heart, because in any incomprehensible situation my online veterinarian helps me 💫🩺

More

Take care of your pet’s health

• Sarcoptosis (infection with scabies mite). Depending on the degree of damage, dandruff can be observed almost all over the body or only in certain areas. The head, front paws, auricles are most often affected; the disease is accompanied by itching and other skin lesions, such as scabs, scratching, hair loss.

• Demodicosis. In this disease, the scales are dark gray in color and greasy to the touch. The itch, as a rule, is not expressed, the centers of alopecia are observed. In the case of localized demodicosis, this may be a small area of ​​skin without hair, covered with gray scales.

• Cheyletiellosis. This ailment causes moderate itching, yellowish scales appear attached to the coat, more often in the back and base of the tail.

• Bacterial and fungal skin infections. In this case, the lesions are more often located in the abdomen, inner thighs, armpits, on the lower part of the neck. Scales are observed along the edges of the lesions, often attached to the skin. Itching can be of varying intensity. Diseases are often accompanied by an unpleasant odor from the skin.

• Dermatophytosis (lichen). The disease is characterized by patchy alopecia and desquamation of the skin in these areas, but usually not accompanied by itching.

• Ichthyosis. This hereditary disease is often seen in Golden Retrievers and American Bulldogs, Jack Russell Terriers, and is characterized by the formation of large paper-like scales. The trunk is mainly affected, but without itching and signs of inflammation, this disease can manifest itself from a very early age.

• Food allergy . In addition to all other symptoms, it can also be manifested by the appearance of dandruff.

• Primary seborrhea. This disease is characterized by a hereditary disorder of keratinization processes, observed in American Cocker Spaniels, Irish Setters, German Shepherds, Basset Hounds, West Highland White Terriers and some other breeds. Usually occurs at an early age; among its main symptoms are dullness of the coat, dandruff and the appearance of large scales on the coat. In addition, the skin becomes oily and acquires an unpleasant odor, external otitis is often observed and a tendency to secondary bacterial and fungal infections.

• Autoimmune skin diseases, epitheliotropic lymphoma.

• Endocrine diseases: hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus.

• Deficiency of certain nutrients, unbalanced diet.

Obviously, the appearance of dandruff in a dog in most cases is not a cosmetic problem at all, but a symptom of a disease, and often quite serious, so it is better not to postpone a visit to the veterinary clinic.

The article is not a call to action!

For a more detailed study of the problem, we recommend contacting a specialist.

Ask a veterinarian

Was this article helpful?

Thank you, let’s be friends!

Follow our Instagram

Thank you for your feedback!

Let’s be friends – download the Petstory app

Dandruff in dogs: causes, treatment and prevention

The condition of the dog’s skin and coat will tell you about the quality of the dog’s body. In a healthy animal, the skin is usually clean and the coat is shiny. A dull and strongly falling out coat indicates various pathological processes occurring in the organs and tissues of the dog.

In addition, if dandruff is present on the skin of an animal, this is a serious reason for contacting a veterinarian, because white keratinized skin particles, observed in large numbers, are a signal of various diseases.

What is dandruff

Any small pet, no matter if it’s a cat or a dog, tends to renew its coat. Pets kept in outdoor conditions molt 2 times a year, apartment dogs – year-round. Along with the old hair leaving the body of the animal, you can see small white flakes – dandruff.

Dandruff is called the stratum corneum of the epidermis, which is regularly replaced by new skin cells. Normally, in a healthy animal, the presence of dandruff on the body is almost imperceptible, but some dogs, not only during molting, suffer from the presence of white flakes on the body.

A pet with obvious dandruff problems should definitely be examined by a veterinarian, as a significant amount of white scales indicates a serious disorder in the dog’s health.

Causes of dandruff

Many dog ​​owners, noticing dandruff in their pet, are in no hurry to show it to a specialist. Instead of going to the vet, they rush to pet stores in the hope of finding an effective shampoo that can help the animal get rid of white flakes on the body. Most shampoos allow you to forget about dandruff, but only for a while, because the main cause of severe skin flaking remains unknown.

Veterinarians identify several factors that affect the occurrence of dandruff in a dog:

• Diseases of the internal organs. Violations (including viral and bacterial) in the work of the intestines, kidneys, pancreas often lead to the fact that the animal’s skin begins to peel off, the dog’s coat thins, and dandruff appears.
• Stressful situations. Strong emotional stress, such as a sudden change in diet, moving to another place of residence or separation from the owner, negatively affects the health of the dog. As a result, the immune system of the body ceases to perform its protective functions efficiently. The animal becomes susceptible to many pathogens, including those that cause seborrhea.
• Food allergy. Many dogs have a high body sensitivity to various substances, so an allergic reaction to food is a widespread problem. Allergies can be caused by certain foods: eggs, wheat, sweets, chicken, fish, etc. Only an experienced veterinarian can identify the allergen.
• Seborrheic dermatitis. The disease is considered hereditary and cannot be treated. However, with the right approach, the disease can be controlled. Symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis are: peeling and oily skin, an unpleasant odor emanating from the dog’s body, the presence of a large amount of dandruff.
• Poor nutrition. An unbalanced diet devoid of most of the nutrients, cheap dry food, the use of tap water to drink the animal – all this leads to serious health problems.
• Dry skin. During the heating season, indoor air humidity decreases noticeably, which adversely affects the health of a four-legged friend. As a result, the dog’s skin dries up and begins to peel off profusely.
• Parasites. Fleas, worms and mites are direct causes of dandruff in dogs. By excreting the products of their vital activity, parasites cause serious intoxication of the animal’s body, which is the reason for the appearance of dandruff and itching.
• Frequent washing of the dog. The animal must be subjected to water procedures no more than 1 time in 2 months, if you bathe the dog regularly, the skin of the animal dries out very much, the layer of sebum that serves as a protective barrier is washed out, and a lot of dandruff appears.
• Hormonal disorder. Diseases such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus always lead to dermatological problems.

Only a veterinarian can determine the exact cause of the appearance of white flakes on the body of an animal. The sooner the owner of the dog turns to a specialist for help, the more likely it is that the problem will be eliminated with 100% probability.

Treatment of dandruff in dogs

Dandruff can be the main signal of a serious disease of the internal organs, so it is highly undesirable to self-medicate, otherwise the inflammatory process can take irreversible consequences.

Only an experienced veterinarian can determine the root cause of white flakes on a dog’s body and formulate an effective treatment regimen. If dandruff is caused by other factors, the treatment is as follows:

1. To eliminate dandruff, it is necessary to carefully review the diet of the animal. If the dog eats dry food, then it should be premium. An animal that prefers natural food should receive daily only high-quality products. Vitamins and fatty acids must also be included in the dog’s diet.
2. To wash your four-legged friend, use a special shampoo designed to care for the animal’s coat.
3. Dry indoor air must be humidified regularly. To do this, you can use a special device or place wet towels on the batteries.
4. Get rid of parasites. To eliminate fleas, insecticidal drops and shampoos are used, to expel worms – special anthelmintic drugs. Fighting a scabies mite is more difficult, so to diagnose the disease, you will have to visit a specialist and take a scraping from the dog’s skin. Based on the results of the study, the doctor will prescribe a regimen for the use of drugs against ticks, as well as therapy that strengthens the animal’s body (immune stimulants, vitamin preparations).
5. For the treatment of dandruff caused by fungal diseases, antimycotic drugs are used, such as Miconazole ointment, Tiabendazole, special shampoos, for example, Keto-plus.

Some owners turn to alternative medicine recipes to treat dog dandruff. Folk remedies involve the use of medicinal herbs, oils. It is dangerous to treat an animal in this way, since if the proportion of the recipe is incorrect, severe poisoning can be provoked in the pet.

Prevention

It is easier to prevent dandruff than to treat an animal from this disease. In order to avoid the appearance of white scales on the skin, it is recommended to carefully monitor the dog’s diet, give the fluffy pet only boiled or bottled water. Since stress is one of the main causes of illness, it is important to protect the animal from all kinds of experiences.

Caring for your beloved dog is the main rule in keeping a four-legged friend. In order for the animal to be healthy, it is necessary to constantly care for it: properly feed, often walk, wash and comb out the coat. We should not forget about veterinary care. Regular visits to a specialist and passing tests will help to identify and cure disorders in the dog’s body at an early stage, which means preventing dandruff.

causes of appearance, treatment with medicines, folk remedies, prevention of appearance

Many inexperienced owners of dandruff in a dog can surprise and even frighten. In fact, the process of renewal – exfoliation and falling off of dead skin cells occurs constantly. Usually in a healthy dog, this goes away without visible manifestations. If for some reason there are too many dead cells and the exfoliation process becomes visible to the naked eye, therefore, dandruff has appeared – this is a reason to take action.

In order to take adequate measures, it is necessary to understand what caused dandruff in a pet. In what cases can you manage on your own, when is it necessary to seek professional veterinary help and are there preventive measures to prevent the problem? We will talk about all this in this article.

Contents

1. Causes of dandruff in dogs
2. Dry skin
3. Improper nutrition
4. Parasites
5. Diseases
6. Stress
7. Treatment of dandruff with drugs
8. Folk remedies
9. Prevention of dandruff
10. Important

Causes of dandruff in a dog

Dandruff in a dog can appear for a variety of reasons. The problem can be the result of improper care, dietary errors, serious diseases of the skin or the endocrine system. It can be white, yellow, brown, oily or dry, small and large, scaly or fine powder and be symptoms of a variety of problems:

Dry skin

Increased dryness of the skin and, as a result, dandruff can be provoked by the use of an inappropriate cosmetic product – shampoo, conditioner. This is the most harmless of the causes that does not need treatment. What to do in this case? Do not use shampoos that are not intended for dogs. It is necessary to choose a shampoo with an appropriate or neutral Ph level. To eliminate excessive dryness, products with moisturizing ingredients in the composition will help.

Often the problem of dry skin is associated with living in a city apartment with central heating. Temperature fluctuations at the beginning of the heating season and the absence of a humidifier in the house may well cause dandruff in a dog. In this case, it is necessary to comb the pet more often with a soft brush, improving blood circulation and thereby accelerating cell regeneration, moisturizing the skin and indoor air.

This is one of the most harmless reasons, the pet does not need special treatment, but only proper care. You can get rid of such dandruff easily, quickly and without consequences.

Improper diet

Another cause of dandruff can be an improper, unbalanced diet. Feeding your pet low-quality food, lack of essential trace elements, vitamins and minerals can lead to various negative skin reactions, including allergies and dandruff. The presence of fatty foods and refined sugar is not allowed in the dog’s diet. They can provoke a malfunction of the body as a whole, improper functioning of the sebaceous glands (increased secretion of sebum or its lack) and the appearance of dandruff as a result.

In this case, a veterinarian should be consulted, it may be necessary to seek help from a nutritionist or nutritionist. In most cases, the problem is solved by choosing a balanced diet, high-quality super-premium or holistic food. How to choose dry dog ​​food read here.

Parasites

Various parasites that live on the surface of the skin or in the upper layers of the dermis can cause dandruff, as well as many problems of a different nature:

• Sarcoptic mange causes a terrible itch in the animal. A bright red rash appears all over the body, deep scratches, wounds, abscesses, bald spots form due to falling hair. The skin in these places changes color and becomes very coarse. The pet may be overly excited, restless. It responds well to treatment, but in severe cases, veterinary care is indispensable.
• Demodicosis – its pathogens are localized in the sebaceous glands and follicles. There are two forms of the disease – focal and generalized. Focal lesions are less dangerous and better treated. In both cases, the pet experiences discomfort, often severe itching, hair falls out, the skin changes color and acquires an unpleasant odor. The generalized form of demodicosis needs complex and long-term treatment.
• Cheyletiellosis or “stray dandruff” is the most harmless parasite. A dog with good immunity tolerates the disease relatively easily. Cheyletiellosis is manifested by profuse dandruff, mild but constant itching. Does not require complex treatment. It is enough to use special acaricidal agents. In advanced cases, hair loss along the ridge, redness and peeling of the skin, and secondary infections are possible.

Diseases

In some cases, dandruff can be a symptom of serious diseases:

• bacterial or fungal infections of the skin;
• lichen;
• ichthyosis;
• primary seborrhea;
• autoimmune diseases;
• endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism).

Stress

The most common cause of dandruff in dogs is stress. Moving, a change of scenery, a conflict situation on the street with another dog, separation from the owner can provoke dandruff. How to get rid of the problem? In this case, no treatment and special care is required. After a few days, when the animal calms down, it will disappear by itself.

Treatment of dandruff with medicines

Medicines prescribed exclusively by a doctor . Depending on the disease, their action can be aimed at suppressing itching, eliminating the cause of the appearance, normalizing secretion and prevention.

• Shampoo “Doctor” – relieves inflammation, normalizes the sebaceous glands, eliminates dandruff. Tar shampoo is suitable for dogs prone to skin problems. The tool is suitable for solving the cosmetic problems of dry skin, will help to cope with the consequences of malnutrition and food allergies.
• Stop itching spray to eliminate itching. Helps relieve irritation, relieves pain from combed wounds. Often prescribed to dogs suffering from various skin diseases.
• Frontline is an acaricidal spray effective against parasites (fleas, ticks) and absolutely harmless to pets. Assign for treatment and prevention.
• Stronghold is an acaricidal drug similar in action to Frontline. The dosage depends on the size (weight) of the dog.

In the case of idiopathic (chronic autoimmune) diseases that are not treated or respond poorly to treatment, the doctor prescribes drugs whose action is aimed at suppressing the clinical manifestations. Most often, these are therapeutic and preventive shampoos containing tar, sulfur, salicylic acid. Such products well eliminate visible dandruff and relieve itching.

Folk remedies

The use of folk remedies is acceptable for simple manifestations of dandruff not associated with skin diseases or the presence of parasites, as well as for prevention purposes. To relieve itching, inflammation and irritation, vegetable squalene (olive, amaranth) is used. It well moisturizes, nourishes and softens the skin, providing restoration and protection from aggressive external factors.

In the fight against parasites, essential oils have proven themselves well:

• lavender;
• tea tree;
• eucalyptus;
• cloves;
• mint;
• fennel;
• geraniums.

3-5 drops of all (or several of your choice) oils are mixed with a neutral base (olive, almond) and applied to the withers of the dog as a regular antiparasitic agent for 10-14 days. To treat a dog’s bed, you can prepare a solution from the same oils, but based on alcohol.

Also used are decoctions and tinctures of herbs and plants, such as wormwood, tansy, yarrow. However, in an effort to rid your pet of dandruff with the most natural means, do not forget about the possibility of individual intolerance to any of their oils / plants. First, make sure that there is no allergic reaction to them.

Dandruff Prevention

Many problems are often easier to prevent than to treat. Prevention of dandruff in a dog lies in proper feeding and care. Make sure that your pet’s diet is balanced and contains all the necessary nutrients. Exclude any junk food, food from the table, treats from unfamiliar people. Purchase high-quality, special shampoos, cosmetics and preventive products.