{"id":10569,"date":"2023-03-08T02:11:10","date_gmt":"2023-03-08T10:11:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osfbl01.justfoodfordogs.com\/?p=10569"},"modified":"2026-10-13T13:07:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T20:07:33","slug":"how-to-help-your-dog-with-dandruff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/how-to-help-your-dog-with-dandruff","title":{"rendered":"Dog Dandruff Treatment, Causes, and Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dogs tend to bring happiness everywhere they go. But sometimes they bring a little something extra that\u2019s not so much fun \u2014 a trail of tiny white flakes wherever they go. Yes, we\u2019re talking about dog dandruff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your dog produces a mini blizzard every time they scratch or shake, you may find those tiny flakes of dead skin everywhere\u2026on the couch, in their bed, on your dog\u2019s coat. But dog dandruff isn\u2019t just a messy headache for pet parents. Those telltale flakes can also be a warning sign of poor health or nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the scoop on doggy dandruff, complete with guidance from Dr. Jessica Wilson, DVM<\/a>, to help you banish those flakes and ensure your dog\u2019s good health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Your Dog Have Dandruff?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Often, the first sign that your pooch has dandruff is the sudden appearance of dead skin cells on your dog\u2019s fur. But if you\u2019re not seeing flakes, that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you \u2014 or your dog \u2014 are in the clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On short-haired dogs<\/a> or dog breeds with darker coats, the flakes are easy to spot. But Dr. Wilson warns that in white or light-colored dogs with longer hair<\/a>, especially breeds with thick undercoats, you may not see dandruff at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In those cases, dandruff may be accumulating, but out of sight. \u201cIt might be hard to notice unless you\u2019re brushing through the coat or the dog shakes about and you can see the white flaky stuff flying around,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you aren\u2019t seeing flakes, keep an eye out for other signs that your dog has dandruff. You may notice excessive scratching (either all over their bodies or in a specific spot). The itchiness could also cause your dog to repeatedly lick an area, causing hair loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip: To make sure it\u2019s dandruff and not fleas, part the hair to inspect their skin.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In dogs with light-colored hair, you may notice pink, red, or brownish stains on the coat. These are caused by compounds called porphyrins that are naturally secreted in your dog\u2019s tears and saliva (and are also the reason behind canine \u201ctear stains<\/a>\u201d). While the discoloration itself isn\u2019t a cause for alarm, it could be a sign of increased licking due to dandruff or another skin issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Dandruff in My Dog?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What we call dog dandruff is also known as seborrhea<\/strong> \u2014 the excess and disordered shedding of skin cells. There are many reasons a dog might develop this condition, from environmental triggers to underlying health issues. Understanding these causes of dog dandruff is important when it comes to preventing or treating this common skin problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your dog\u2019s skin might become dry and itchy due to environmental conditions. Dogs living in dry climates may be more prone to develop dandruff than dogs living in humid areas, according to Dr. Wilson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These changes could also happen seasonally<\/a>. For example, dogs tend to spend more time inside during winter months, where the warm, often dry air of home heating systems can cause dandruff to break out. Investing in a humidifier can help prevent dry winter skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe skin becomes dry, loses moisture, and there\u2019s not enough natural oil to hydrate and moisturize the skin as quickly as the dog needs to keep up with the ambient air,\u201d Dr. Wilson explains. \u201cSome dogs end up with dry, flaky skin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when that dry skin causes dandruff, it\u2019s called seborrhea sicca or dry seborrhea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other causes of dandruff<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dry skin is not the only cause of dandruff. Skin that\u2019s too oily can also be the culprit. When a dog\u2019s sebaceous glands \u2014 the glands that produce oils to moisturize the skin \u2014 are overactive, that can cause the skin to become irritated and flaky, too. This condition is called seborrhea oleosa or oily seborrhea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seborrhea can be an inherited skin disorder. Certain breeds are more prone to develop the skin condition. Dog breeds prone to seborhhea include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n