Are you looking for some dog dandruff home remedies to relieve your pooch’s itchy skin?
While dandruff might seem like a minor skin issue compared to heartworms or kidney disease, it should not be overlooked.
So, keep on reading to find out 5 ways to get rid of it naturally.
5 Dog Dandruff Home Remedies
If you notice that your dog’s coat is flakier than before, you should mention it to your vet as soon as possible.
Dog dandruff can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition which your vet should treat promptly.
For example, your dog might have endocrine problems or an infection which should be treated with antibiotics.
I’m going to explain more about what causes dog dandruff later, so don’t stop reading.
Fortunately, dandruff is not hard to remove as long as it’s not caused by something serious. Here are five home remedies for a dandruff-free coat.
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#1 Regular grooming
One of easiest home remedy for dog dandruff is to brush his coat regularly. Brushing removes the dead skin cells and distributes natural skin oils.
In addition to this, regular brushing will reduce the amount of fur your dog sheds around the house.
And it’s an excellent way to bond with your pet.
Of course, how often you should brush your dog depends on his type of coat. The heavier the coat, the more brushing it needs.
But most dogs need at least one good brushing a week. So, if you’re dealing with dandruff, you might want to add one extra brushing session.
#2 Mud baths
Have you ever seen how much your pooch loves to roll in the mud?
As it turns out, mud is perfect for dandruff because it removes dead skin cells and soothes any irritated spots or abrasions.
Furthermore, it moisturizes the skin and restores the softness of the coat.
That’s not all. Mud can also relieve itchiness caused by dandruff as well as bites and healing wounds.
You can get mud for dogs or a human one as long as it doesn’t have any artificial ingredients because they will irritate his coat.
Necessary ingredients:
- Mud
- Water
- Aloe vera or coconut oil
Process:
- Mix the mud with some aloe vera or coconut oil. Aloe vera is great for itchiness while coconut oil restores the natural smoothness of the coat.
- Get your dog and apply the mud mix on his dry/damp coat.
- Spread the mixture all over the body to the paws, but avoid the eyes and the genitals.
- Rinse with cool water and pat your dog dry.
Alternatively, you can bathe your dog with anti-dandruff shampoo. See below for our recommendations:
#3 Change the diet
Think about what you’re feeding your dog. Is it high-quality dog food?
If it’s not, your furbaby might be lacking the necessary vitamins and minerals for a healthy coat.
What’s more, cheap dog food often contains artificial ingredients and dyes. Your pooch might have a food allergy which causes his flaking skin.
In this case, the solution to your dog dandruff problem and itchy skin might be as simple as changing his food.
You should take a look at high-quality dog food for sensitive dogs with skin problems or hypoallergenic food. Another option would be homemade food.
#4 Try some dog-friendly supplements
Another dog dandruff remedy is supplementing your dog’s diet with fatty acids.
Omega 3s and 6s are an excellent solution for various skin problems because they regulate oil production and protect the skin from damage.
In addition to this, omega 3s and omega 6s can help relieve itchiness, flight inflammation, and reduce allergies.
Usually, vets recommend fish or salmon oil for dogs, which are rich sources of fatty acids.
You can add these oils to your dog food for optimal coat health. Sunflower or safflower oils are also suitable for dogs.
However, make sure that any oil you use is fresh because these can go rancid very quickly.
You should also speak with your veterinarian how much fatty acids your dog needs because the dose will depend on his weight.
#5 Use a humidifier
Last but not least, to get rid of dog dandruff and relieve your dog’s itchy skin, you should use a humidifier.
Low humidity in the air is a common culprit for dry skin. And the drier the skin is, the more dandruff you’re going to see.
If your dog has dandruff problems during winter, you can help relieve his symptoms by using a humidifier.
Place the humidifier in your dog’s sleeping area. The increased moisture will soothe your dog’s irritated skin.
Not to mention that it can also benefit you if you’re prone to dry skin.
What causes dog dandruff?
If you try these home remedies for dog dandruff and you don’t see any improvement, it’s time to go to your vet.
As I already mentioned, dandruff might be a symptom of underlying diseases, so to get rid of this dandruff, you have to find the cause.
Dandruff or seborrhea can be two types – primary or secondary.
In primary seborrhea, there is no underlying condition causing dandruff. However, it’s rare and usually hereditary.
Secondary seborrhea, on the other hand, is the result of an underlying condition. It might be due:
- Allergies
- Diet
- External parasites
- Bacterial or yeast infection
- Endocrine disorders
- Temperature and humidity
That’s why any sudden change in your dog’s coat condition should prompt you to seek medical advice.
In addition to this, make sure that your dog has plenty of water available because dehydration leads to dry skin and dandruff.
