My cat has terrible dandruff… at least I think it’s dandruff! She’s always got flakes on her skin and in her coat. What can I do to clear this up?
This is a conversation I get to have often at the cats-only boarding facility where I work. As part of our check-in process, we give each cat a quick brushing with a very fine-toothed comb. Our goal is to check for fleas, but we often end up talking to owners about skin and coat care… and dandruff.
Dry skin can be a seasonal problem, especially in the winter months when the heat is on and the air tends to be dry. (It can also be a seasonal problem for humans!) Some things you can do to help seasonal dryness and flaky skin include:
- Encouraging your pet to drink more water. Maybe your cat would like a water fountain better than a (still) bowl of water? Maybe you can add a splash of water to her food so she gets more liquid that way.
- Running a humidifier. Keeping the air humid can help keep skin from drying out.
- Brushing your pet as often as she’ll tolerate it. Brushing regularly can help remove loose, dead hair and skin from the coat. It’s a great way to bond with your pet, and a great way to keep an eye on overall health.
If your pet is having skin problems outside of the colder months, it’s not necessarily a health emergency. Your pet may just have dry or sensitive skin! My first dog Miko had flaky skin year round, and the vet had me do two things: use an oatmeal shampoo rather than a regular shampoo, and add vitamin E oil to his food every day. If you bathe your pet, you may need to use a gentler shampoo. If you want to add a supplement to your pet’s diet, talk to your vet about your options.
Sometimes, flaky skin can be a sign of something more serious than just dry skin. If you notice dry, flaky skin with other symptoms, it may be time for a visit to the vet. Some health issues that have flaky skin as a possible side effect include:
- Hyperthyroidism
- Ringworm
- Some kinds of mange
- Some insect bite allergies
- Some food allergies