“Is your dog embarrassed by their dandruff?” Just kidding, lol, joking aside, if your dog has dandruff, they are probably itchy too, and that’s not fun for anyone. It can even create a grumpy dog from how annoying it feels to be itchy. There are a few reasons your dog may have dandruff, and we’ll explore this here, but first, let’s start with a quick description of what dandruff is.

What’s Dandruff? 

Our skin reproduces new cells all the time, and when in proper amounts, the dead skin cells get pushed to the surface to make room for the new ones, which is not noticeable. However, when they are being produced in larger quantities, you can see them, and this excess dry flaky dead skin is called dandruff.

Here a quick video on what dandruff is!

Causes

Before we can get rid of the excess dry flaky skin, let’s figure out why your dog has dandruff in the first place. Here are some possible causes:

• The frequency of bathing your dog can affect their skin condition. In general, most dogs can be bathed every couple of months, but some dogs may require more frequent baths due to health or outdoor activity. Keep in mind that over bathing your dog can strip their skin and coat of natural oils, while under bathing can create a buildup of bacteria, both of which can cause dandruff. It’s important to assess your dog’s specific needs and bathe them as needed. Sometimes a good brushing and wet cloth wipe down between shampoos are all you need.
• The type of shampoo you use can also be the culprit of dandruff. A dog’s skin has a different pH level than we do so if you use a human shampoo, even a baby one, it will irritate their skin. It’s best to use natural and moisturizing dog pH-appropriate shampoo to avoid irritation.
• If your environment is really dry – such as when the heat gets turned on and the air in your home lacks moisture, this can also cause dry skin and dandruff. A great solution in this case would be to add humidity back into your home and try to keep your dog’s bed away from heat vents that push dry air out. 

Fungus

Other potential culprits for dandruff are more complex. Overgrowth of yeast can cause fungus and is also a common cause of dandruff. Some signs of fungus are:

• Dogs don’t smell when they are healthy and clean, just as we don’t. If your dog does have an odor that resembles popcorn, Cheetos, fresh bread, sweet, or sour, this would be an indication of fungus.
• Waxy or oily buildup and residue on the skin can also be a sign of fungus.
• Excess itching in all areas, including ears, paws, face, and anywhere on the body, especially if present with the above examples, would likely mean your dog has a yeast overgrowth.

Fungus can be caused by a poor immune system, and ideally, you would approach this from the inside with nutrition and supplementation in partnership with topical options. Using a natural healing shampoo and products that have anti-fungal properties such as:

• Colloidal silver,
• Antimicrobial spray,
• Hypochlorous solution,
• Calendula cream, and
• Black seed, Neem, and Coconut oil.

Immunity and Reactions

If your dog has dandruff with red skin blotches, raised oily patches, crusted skin, infected hair follicles, missing fur, or oozing skin, these would most likely be related to poor immunity or a reaction to something like a vaccine, environmental/food allergies, or mites. In this case, it would be more difficult to resolve, and your dog would most likely be in extreme discomfort. In addition to supporting your dog’s diet and immunity, I would suggest a visit to your local holistic vet for support.

Always a Good Idea

You can provide your dog with immediate relief to dandruff and the itch with natural shampoos made especially for dog itchies, moisture in the air, and skin-soothing products. For long-term support, a high-quality diet, a good quality fatty acid supplement (omegas), and always having fresh water available are sure ways to support your dog’s skin health.