Why does my dog have dandruff

Dandruff is everywhere these days. We’re inundated with advertisements claiming to bring an end to flaky, itchy scalps. But did you know that puppies can get dandruff too? 

You might have noticed them scratching, or maybe you’ve spotted some white flakes on their coat? There are lots of reasons why your pup might have dandruff; let’s look at the different causes of doggy dandruff and what you can do to return your dog’s coat to its glossy glory. 

What causes dog dandruff? 

A dog’s skin cells, like ours, are constantly dying and being replaced by new cells. Dogs will groom themselves to get rid of the old, dead skin cells as they shed, keeping their coat in top condition.  

Puppies are more likely to develop dandruff than older dogs. This is because a puppy’s sebaceous glands, which produce an oil that helps to keep their coat looking slick and shiny, are still developing. These glands become more developed as your pup gets older, which often will bring an end to their dandruff issues. 

Brushing your puppy will help to spread the natural oils in their coat, which will often result in a shinier coat and could go some way to combatting dandruff. 

However, there are lots of reasons why your puppy might have dandruff aside from underdeveloped glands. 

Health conditions that lead to dog dandruff

Skin infections

Skin infections can cause dry and itchy skin, which naturally leads to the development of dandruff. Dandruff could mean that your pup has ringworm, a highly contagious fungal infection that affects your dog’s skin. 

To identify if your puppy is suffering from a skin condition or infection, your vet will take some skin samples to make an accurate diagnosis.  

Illness

Flaky skin could be a giveaway that your pooch is feeling under the weather. If they are lethargic or unwell, they are less likely to keep up their high grooming standards, leading to more dandruff building up.  

Fleas

Fleas irritate a dog’s skin as they feed off their blood. Excessive scratching could lead to your puppy getting dandruff. Fleas thrive in warm, damp environments and flock indoors during winter. Read our guide on how to keep your dog itch-free and safe from fleas. 

Allergies

Skin reactions that cause dandruff could be triggered by an allergic reaction. Your puppy could be allergic to certain foods (dogs can develop food allergies without warning at any time) or environmental factors such as pollen or dust mites. 

Your vet may recommend food allergy testing and may suggest a dietary elimination or a hypoallergenic diet. In the case of seasonal allergies, treatment with anti-inflammatory medication or a medicated shampoo might be suggested. Read our advice on allergies in dogs. 

How can I treat puppy dandruff? 

If your puppy has a persistent problem with dandruff, there are lots of options to improve the health of their skin. 

Change their diet

Much the same as human health, poor skin is often linked with a diet that isn’t delivering the right nutrients. If your puppy’s diet doesn’t include high-quality nutrients, switching to a specially formulated diet can be really beneficial.

A balanced diet with effective levels of high-quality protein, Essential Fatty Acids, Zinc and Vitamins will help to support healthy skin & coat. 

Shop Now: PURINA® PRO PLAN® Expert Care Derma Care dog food

Use specialist pet shampoo 

Human shampoos aren’t suitable for dogs and will dry out their skin, so make sure you’re being kind to your puppy’s skin by using sensitive skin pet shampoo.

Specialist dog shampoos, such as VetSoothe Oil-Balance Shampoo, are specially formulated to help manage greasy and flaky skin. It contains soothing agents to help reduce itching, whilst managing the build-up of grease and excess oil, helping to moisturise and exfoliate your dog’s skin. 

Give them dietary supplements

Dietary supplements are a great way to give your puppy natural support for their skin. Vetpro Healthy Skin & Glossy Coat capsules are specially formulated for pets with itchy, flaky & dry skin.

They contain beneficial Omega-3 Fatty Acids that help to calm sensitive skin and reduce itching and redness. Speak to your vet about adding Fatty Acid supplements to your dog's diet to boost their skin health. 

Need more info? 

For expert advice on puppy dandruff and skin problems, contact your local vet. Find your nearest vet using our Find a Vet page. 

Wellness

Humans may be used to coping with dandruff, but when the telltale white flakes show up on their pups, it can feel very odd and mysterious! What's causing your dog's dandruff and is there any reason to worry?

Fortunately, it’s actually pretty common for dogs to have what looks like dandruff on their coat — and there are many different reasons your dog could be experiencing dry skin. Below we'll discuss dog dandruff, signs your dog has dry skin, potential causes, and how to help treat it.

Dandruff, or "scurf," happens when dead skin flakes get stuck in your dog's fur. "Dry skin could be caused by multiple different causes including parasites, endocrine disease, allergies, bacterial, fungal, auto-immune conditions, and cancer,” says Dr. Joel Navratik, CEO of MRVL Pets. 

There are a few different causes of dog dandruff and it's important to discover the cause to find the appropriate treatment. If you are unsure of what's causing your dog's dry skin, talk to an online vet.

If your dog expresses some or most of the following dandruff symptoms, they may be experiencing dry skin:

• Skin flakes

• Excessive scratching

• Red/scaly skin patches

• Excessive licking

Read More: Is Your Dog Itchy?

There may be a few reasons your dog is experiencing dry skin symptoms. If you're unsure, talk to a vet now. These are potential dog dandruff causes:

“It may happen because your dog isn't grooming their fur properly, or it might mean your dog has a skin condition that means more skin flakes are being produced,” says Dr Joanna Woodnutt, a veterinarian in the UK who is part of the team at Breed Advisor.

Read More: Everything You Need To Know About Dog Bathing

Parasites in dogs such as fleas and mange are a common reason for scurfy skin. “You should make sure your dog is up to date on all their flea treatment and that they've had treatment for mites, too,” says Dr. Woodnutt. Not all flea treatments kill mites, so you might need to talk to your vet to make sure your pet is protected.

See if you can get it from the comfort of your home.

Read More: How Do I Know If My Dog Has Parasites?

If your dog is young, and otherwise healthy, scurfy skin is often a sign of an allergy. “This causes irritation and inflammation of the skin, increasing the skin turnover and meaning more dead skin flakes are produced,” says Dr. Woodnutt. Your vet can help you to diagnose and treat allergies in dogs.

Read More: Dog Allergies — Signs, Symptoms & Treatments

Hypothyroidism, Cushings, and other hormonal conditions can also cause skin changes. “If you have a middle-aged to older dog and you've noticed other symptoms or changes in their behavior, you might want to talk to a vet about whether their skin could be a sign of deeper problems,” says Dr. Woodnutt.

For many dogs, a soothing, conditioning shampoo will help to reduce itch and inflammation in the skin, and reduce skin cell turnover, explained Dr. Woodnutt. You'll also physically remove the skin flakes in the bath with a good rub. “I usually recommend an aloe vera and coconut-based shampoo for dogs with dry skin,” says Dr. Woodnutt.

Dr. Navratik recommends "weekly bathing with an anti-seborrheic shampoo such as (Douxo Seborrhea shampoo or Keratolux shampoo) followed by a conditioner (HyLyt cream rinse) or leave-in mousse (Douxo Chlorhexidine PS). Medicated shampoos may also help, but should be prescribed by a vet.

Not all dog foods are created equal. Talk to a vet about your dog's current diet and see if your dog's food is healthy enough or if it may benefit from some supplementation.

Read More: Is Your Dog's Food Healthy Enough?

Don't wonder. Get a vet's opinion — for free.

For extra skin support, consider improving your pet's intake of fatty acids, as these help to create healthy skin. “Find a skin supplement with a balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6, and linoleic acid for skin barrier support,” says Dr. Woodnutt.

Read More: Does My Dog Need Supplements?

Vitamin E supplementation can also help improve skin health, which will allow the retention of moisture, explains Dr. Michelle Burch DVM from Safe Hounds Pet Insurance, who recommends speaking with your veterinarian on appropriate dosing for your dog. “Too high dosing can lead to an upset stomach in the short term and with possible damage to the red blood cells and liver in the long term,” warns Dr. Burch.

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