Dog Dandruff
Dog dandruff looks very similar to human dandruff. White flakes appear in your dog's fur near the skin. Dog dandruff can be caused by allergies, dry skin, or parasitical infection. There are some simple things you can do to manage dog dandruff. Brush your dog regularly. Do it at the same time every day. Brush the hair evenly so that your dog's natural skin oils are distributed throughout his coat. Regular brushing helps balance your dog's body systems, and ensures that dog dandruff won't build up. Add some flax seed oil to your dog's diet. Fatty acids will moisturize his skin. Don't wash your dog more than once a week, or, if your dog has very dry skin, once every two weeks. Frequent washing leads to dry problems and can cause dog dandruff. After you bathe your dog brush him thoroughly. If there are any mats in your dog's fur, brush or cut them out. Food allergies may be at the root of canine dandruff. Your vet can rule out this possibility. Puppy dandruff is quite common and not usually a cause for concern. In rare cases, puppy dandruff can lead to hair loss, but if dog hair loss occurs in a puppy a vet should be consulted. Fatty acid supplements and oatmeal shampoo are often recommended treatments for puppy dandruff. If your dog dandruff doesn't clear up with home maintenance, see your vet. Parasites that cause dog dandruff may adversely affect your dog's health. Canine dandruff accompanied by dog hair loss could be a sign of allergens in the environment. If dog hair loss is present, see your vet right away. Dog hair loss is usually a symptom of a serious illness, such as Cushing's disease or diabetes. Often dog hair loss is a symptom of a secondary condition, such as demodectic mange, which occurs in dogs with weakened immune systems.