Dog Dandruff: What You Need To Know And How To Treat It

Is your dog itching and scratching themselves a lot? It could be dog dandruff. Dog’s skin can be just as sensitive as a human’s skin and they can produce dandruff as well. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about how to spot it and even how to treat it.

You’ve probably noticed some white specks or rashes on your dog’s skin and you may be wondering… does my pup have dandruff? Is that even likely?

It’s completely possible! Dandruff isn’t only a human problem.

But, what do you do if your dog has dandruff? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about doggy dandruff – what it is, what causes it, and how to treat it.

Note: as always, if you ever have any medical questions, please talk to your veterinarian.

Dog Dandruff Help Guide

Humans aren’t the only creatures that can suffer from itchy and flaky skin under our hair. Our pets can suffer from it too. Just like humans who sometimes get white flakes on their shoulders, you might have noticed some white flakes on your dog’s bed (or your couch).

How Can You Tell If Your Dog Has Dandruff?

The first step in this process is figuring out if your dog actually has dandruff or if they simply have another skin condition. But, how can you tell that they have dandruff? What are the signs?

These are the most common symptoms of doggy dandruff:

• Oily, flaky skin
• Hair loss or baldness
• Itching
• Thickening of the skin
• Scabs, bumps, or pimples

Many of these symptoms depend on the type of breed your dog is. Sometimes, their skin can be naturally very dry or oily. It’s the change from their natural state you should be worried about.

Dandruff vs. Dry Skin in Dogs

It’s also important to note that not every skin flake is from dandruff. Dandruff is caused by excessive oil that builds up and causes skin to flake. Sometimes, flakes are simply from dry skin.

These are the breeds that are prone to oily skin that flakes off producing dandruff:

• Labrador Retrievers
• West Highland White Terriers
• Cocker Spaniels
• Basset Hounds

These are a few of the most common dog breeds that will have dry flaky skin:

• German Shepherds
• Dachshunds
• Irish Setters
• Dobermans

What Causes Dandruff in Dogs?

Basically, when a dog has dandruff, it means there is a buildup of dead skin cells on your dog’s coat. These dead skin cells are itchy and uncomfortable, so they scratch and bite at it. Typically, the itching and scratching are what causes bumps and thick skin.

Are you wondering what actually causes the buildup of dead skin cells? That’s a tougher question to answer because any number of things can irritate your dog’s skin. Excessive licking, a food allergy, or a reaction to shampoo or lotion can all cause your dog to itch a spot and produce dandruff.

How To Get Rid of Dog Dandruff

No one likes to see their dog uncomfortable!

Here are some of my best tips for getting rid of dog dandruff and help your dog’s skin heal in a healthy way.

First, you have to find the source of dandruff to treat it effectively. Is dandruff all over your pup’s coat or is it concentrated to one single spot on their skin?

If you notice the irritation is all in one place, it could be a reaction to something they came in contact with or an infection or even a parasite. Please call your pet’s veterinarian if the itching worsens or doesn’t go away, even after removing possible irritants and using at-home treatments.

In any other case, follow some of these simple steps to treat your dog’s dandruff at home!

1. Groom Your Dogs Regularly

Matted fur is a breeding ground for parasites. If your dog has longer fur, brush it out every day and prevent it from tangling and matting up. As you brush your dog’s fur, look for bugs, seeds, or burs that they might have picked up on their walk.

You can take your dog to a groomer or groom them at home. Either way, keep them checked up and brushed out.

2. Use A Dog Dandruff Shampoo

Many vets will suggest you bath your dog more frequently with a dog dandruff shampoo. Please don’t reach for that bottle of dandruff shampoo in the shower that you use for yourself.

Take a look at some of our products. Our Pawsitively Soothing itch relief kit for dogs is everything you need! There are 3 products in this kit that work together to stop the itch and help your dog’s skin repair and grow healthier.

Here’s a bit more information and breakdown about what’s in this amazing kit:

Pawsitively Soothing All Natural Healing Lotion

As soon as you see your dog scratching at a particular spot, rub this lotion on it to stop the itch. This is an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial lotion that penetrates deep into the skin to treat the source of the irritation.

Pawsitively Soothing All Natural Soothing Spray

Use this spray in between baths to nourish your dog’s skin and keep it smelling and feeling fresh and clean. The use of this soothing spray is more of a preventative measure. The essential oils in this spray will protect your dog’s skin from bad germs.

Pawsitively Soothing Anti Itch Shampoo

This is the only dog dandruff shampoo you will ever need!

Pawsitively Soothing Anti Itch Shampoo is an antibacterial, antifungal all-natural shampoo for dogs with skin issues caused by allergies, insect bites, and environmental conditions.

When our combination of natural ingredients such as coconut oil, olive oil, vitamin E, glycerin and almond oil is mixed with our essential oil blend (peppermint, lavender, chamomile, cedarwood, eucalyptus, and citronella), it provides a soothing antifungal and antibacterial combination to help heal your dog’s itchy skin.

3. Use a Humidifier

If the air is too dry in or around your home, it could be drying out your dog’s skin which can cause then to scratch and in turn produce some flakes. Try adding a humidifier to the main rooms where your dog hangs out. Then, monitor and see if that doesn’t help them feel more comfortable and scratch less.

How To Prevent Dog Dandruff

The best way to prevent dog dandruff is frequent grooming and using the right products on them. I know I’ve said this a couple of times already but don’t use human shampoo on dogs. It will dry out their skin and could cause flakiness and irritation.

Also, keep an eye on what they are eating! Certain foods can cause an allergic reaction such as all-over itchiness and skin irritations. Whenever you introduce them to something new to eat, only give them a small amount and keep an eye out for allergies.

My one final piece of advice is to try to use an all-natural dog shampoo. The best dog shampoo – like our Pawsitively Soothing Anti Itch Shampoo – will have natural ingredients and also be anti-fungal and anti-bacterial to keep your puppy’s skin clean and healthy.

You can prevent dandruff by not allowing the bad germs to grow and multiply in the first place.