Anyone who’s watched a dandruff shampoo commercial knows how the condition impacts the human head. But did you know that dogs can also suffer from dandruff? If your dog is leaving a trail of flakes in their wake, dandruff could be the reason why.

In this article, you’ll learn about the causes and possible treatments for dog dandruff. It can be uncomfortable and messy, and if you want to get rid of it quickly, you’ve come to the right place.

Before You Begin

To get rid of your dog’s dandruff fast, you’ll first need to find out what’s causing the condition. Unfortunately, skin flakes and irritation have several causes. Before you begin treating dog dandruff, make an appointment with your veterinarian.

They are best equipped to determine what’s causing your dog’s dandruff and can provide appropriate treatments. You should never give your dog medication or supplements without first checking with your vet.

How to Get Rid of Dog Dandruff Fast

1. Increase the Humidity

If you notice that your skin gets drier in winter, it could be related to the warm, dry air circulating in your home. Running humidifiers in key areas of the house can help get rid of your dog’s dandruff and make them more comfortable. Make sure to keep fresh water in the humidifiers and follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding a cleaning schedule.

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2. Brush Your Dog Regularly

Your dog’s skin produces oils that keep it properly moisturized. The oils spread naturally throughout the dog’s skin and coat. However, if you’re noticing dandruff on your dog, the oils might not be getting distributed all over the fur.

Maybe your dog is having trouble keeping clean or is suffering from a medical condition. Either way, brushing your dog regularly can help eliminate the dandruff. Brushing with an appropriate grooming tool will distribute the oils thoroughly and moisturize your dog’s skin.

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3. Bathe Your Dog (But Not Too Much)

Another common way to get rid of dog dandruff is to bathe your dog with a moisturizing formula, like an oatmeal shampoo. Only use a shampoo formulated for dogs, and look for products designed to add moisture back to the skin.

The catch is that bathing your dog too frequently can make the flaking and dryness worse.

Bathing, especially with the wrong shampoo, can strip the natural oils, leaving the skin dry and exposed.

However, you can ask your vet to help you determine an appropriate bathing schedule and the best shampoo.

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4. Change Their Diet

Food allergies or nutritional imbalances can be responsible for dog dandruff. Frequently, the condition can be treated by changing your dog’s diet. Again, you’ll need to talk to your veterinarian before taking this step.

Your dog might need a diet with higher levels of fatty acids and other nutrients. Dogs with food allergies might need to eat a novel protein or hydrolyzed diet.

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5. Add Supplements

Some dogs with dry skin may benefit from essential fatty acid supplements. Fish oil and other oils are common sources of these nutrients. Because supplements are not well-regulated, their quality can vary widely. Your veterinarian can suggest a reputable brand of fatty acid supplements and how often to give them.

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6. Treat for Parasites

External parasites like fleas and mites can cause dog dandruff, and it’s best to keep your dog on a regular flea and tick preventative as recommended by your veterinarian. If your dog has mites, they might need a different medication or medicated baths.

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7. Treat Underlying Medical Conditions

Sometimes, dog dandruff and skin issues may occur as a secondary problem to a more serious medical condition. For example, dogs with hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease frequently have flaky skin. You’ll need to treat the underlying medical condition first to eliminate the dandruff.

What Causes Dog Dandruff?

Dogs can get three primary types of dandruff or seborrhea: dry, oily, or walking dandruff. Dry seborrhea usually presents with dry, flaky skin. Dogs with oily seborrhea may have flakes but usually have oily, smelly skin.

Walking dandruff isn’t true dandruff but a mite infestation. If the flakes on your dog’s skin are moving, they’re mites. We briefly mentioned some of the causes of dog dandruff, but here is a full list of the most common ones:

• Allergies
• Nutritional deficits
• Skin infections
• Mites or other parasites
• Dry air
• Hormone imbalances like hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease
• Autoimmune skin conditions
• Lack of grooming e.g. due to pain from arthritis

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Some dogs are prone to an inherited form of dandruff called primary seborrhea. Basset Hounds, Cocker Spaniels, and Westies are among the breeds most often affected.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many ways to get rid of dog dandruff, but they don’t always work fast, depending on the cause of the skin flakes. Even if you’re tempted, don’t use human dandruff shampoo on your dog. The first step in getting rid of dog dandruff is diagnosing the condition's cause, so call your vet when you spot the flakes.

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Featured Image Credit: Dmytro Zinkevych, Shutterstock