Is Dog Dandruff Harmful?
Dog dandruff is a symptom that may indicate something is off balance with your pet. And just like with humans, it can be treated. But is it harmful? Usually it is not, although in more severe cases, it may be the signs of internal issues. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the causes of dry flaking skin.
Dietary issues – Many times dry skin is due to dietary issues. Increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in your dog’s diet can help eliminate these issues. Applying about a tablespoon of vegetable oil to your dog’s food daily is usually sufficient. Some people also use fish oil or flaxseed oil. But be sure to consult with your vet before changing your dog’s diet.
Fleas – Another issue that can cause dog dandruff is fleas. It can be difficult to tell if your pet has fleas, but here is a simple method to test out to get a good indication on whether they do have fleas or not. Simply take a sheet of white paper and have your dog sit down on it. Then brush through their fur and see if any black dirt-like specks fall onto the paper. If so, it could be flea feces, also known as “flea dirt”. To see if this is regular dirt or not, wet the paper and see if the dirt becomes a reddish color. If it changes color, this would be a sign that this is a mix of feces and blood that was digested by fleas. If you think your pet’s symptoms are due to fleas, you can talk with your vet for treatment options.
Not enough baths, grooming, or exercise- It’s always important to keep your pet healthy, and dog dandruff could be a sign of other health issues. The liver and kidneys are designed to eliminate waste from the body properly, so in more serious cases, flakey skin could be symptoms of internal problems.
Here are couple things you can do. First, make sure you are bathing and grooming your dog regularly. Baths will help wash away the flakes as they build up, and grooming will brush off excessive flakes, as well as distribute your pet’s natural oils over their skin. You also want to make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise. If conditions are not improving, definitely contact your vet to have them examined to make sure there aren’t any health problems like liver disease. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Based on the results your vet can recommend different treatment options.
For more information on ridding your pet of dry flakey skin, make sure to check out this article on the causes of dry itchy skin on your pet.
Dietary issues – Many times dry skin is due to dietary issues. Increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in your dog’s diet can help eliminate these issues. Applying about a tablespoon of vegetable oil to your dog’s food daily is usually sufficient. Some people also use fish oil or flaxseed oil. But be sure to consult with your vet before changing your dog’s diet.
Fleas – Another issue that can cause dog dandruff is fleas. It can be difficult to tell if your pet has fleas, but here is a simple method to test out to get a good indication on whether they do have fleas or not. Simply take a sheet of white paper and have your dog sit down on it. Then brush through their fur and see if any black dirt-like specks fall onto the paper. If so, it could be flea feces, also known as “flea dirt”. To see if this is regular dirt or not, wet the paper and see if the dirt becomes a reddish color. If it changes color, this would be a sign that this is a mix of feces and blood that was digested by fleas. If you think your pet’s symptoms are due to fleas, you can talk with your vet for treatment options.
Not enough baths, grooming, or exercise- It’s always important to keep your pet healthy, and dog dandruff could be a sign of other health issues. The liver and kidneys are designed to eliminate waste from the body properly, so in more serious cases, flakey skin could be symptoms of internal problems.
Here are couple things you can do. First, make sure you are bathing and grooming your dog regularly. Baths will help wash away the flakes as they build up, and grooming will brush off excessive flakes, as well as distribute your pet’s natural oils over their skin. You also want to make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise. If conditions are not improving, definitely contact your vet to have them examined to make sure there aren’t any health problems like liver disease. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Based on the results your vet can recommend different treatment options.
For more information on ridding your pet of dry flakey skin, make sure to check out this article on the causes of dry itchy skin on your pet.
