Dog Dandruff
Treating Dog Dandruff the Easy Way
Dog dandruff is not unlike the dandruff that humans get on their heads. Although it can look messy, it is actually fairly easy to treat. It can be even easier to prevent in most cases.
Basically, dog dandruff is simply a clump of dead skin cells that the body has shed. Your dog probably always has a little bit of dandruff, but if you go awhile without bathing him, the dandruff can build up and you will tend to notice it more. It might even start flaking off onto your clothing and furniture.
For the most part, dog dandruff is easy to prevent from getting too bad. Brushing your dog everyday can help shed some of the dead skin cells that he is accumulating on his fur. You want to make sure that you choose a brush that is not too hard for his skin, however. When selecting a brush, run it over your own hand to make sure that the bristles are not too hard. If the bristles are too hard, they can scratch your dog’s skin and cause bleeding.
You should also bathe your dog on a regular basis as this can help get rid of the dandruff, too. In the wintertime, you should plan on giving your dog a bath once a month. In the summertime, however, you should try for twice a month. As with people, you might need to use a specialized shampoo for dogs that is made especially for dandruff if it becomes too noticeable.
If you must use a specialized shampoo, then you should definitely choose one that was created for dogs. Never use medicated shampoo for humans on your dog as his skin might become irritated. You can find many medicated shampoos for dogs at pet stores and at some big “box” stores, such as Wal-Mart.
There are some people that claim that using vegetable oil or olive oil on the dog’s skin on a weekly basis can help cut down on the dandruff that the dog produces. Keeping the skin moist does seem to help alleviate the problem-even in humans. However, applying vegetable oil to a dog can be tricky and messy-especially if the dog in turn decides to take a roll on your sofa.
If you don’t want to go the vegetable oil route, but still like the idea of keeping your dog’s skin moist, then you can also find oil sprays that are intended for dogs. These dry more quickly than traditional cooking oils and are designed with your canine pal in mind.
While dandruff is usually just a normal feature when it comes to fur or hair, sometimes it can be a symptom of something else. If your dog has a bad flea infestation problem, for instance, you might notice more dandruff. This isn’t because your dog is shedding more dead skin cells, necessarily, but because your dog is scratching more.
Mites can also cause dandruff. Mites can produce a skin disease that shows up as scaly patches. It is also contagious and very aggravating to a dog since it causes an extreme amount of itching. However, mites can usually be treated easily with medication.
Lastly, make sure that your dog is getting the proper diet that he needs. Occasionally, dandruff occurs in dogs because they are not getting the right amount of fat in their diets. You can change this by changing the dog food that you give him. Look for something that contains plenty of fats and proteins. Also, talk to your vet about any vitamin or mineral deficiencies that your dog might have. However, do not give your dog any supplements unless you have been advised to do so by your vet first.