Cat dandruff is a common concern for pet owners. While dry skin can appear on cats for a variety of different reasons, most can be easily dealt with. Simple changes to the cat's environment is sometimes all that it takes to reduce or eliminate dandruff.
Causes of Dandruff in Cats
Several factors can lead to the appearance of dry skin on cats, including:
- Food allergies
- Weather
- Medication
- Fleas, mites, or other small pests
- Cat cannot properly groom itself
Addressing one or more of these causes can help resolve the issue of cat dandruff.
Treatment and Prevention of Cat Dry Skin
Dry skin can be caused by allergies to beef, corn gluten, wheat gluten, and fish. Cat dandruff caused by food allergies can usually be resolved by eliminating beef from the cat's diet. Most cats do well on a diet that consists primarily of poultry and lamb, however, some especially sensitive cats may only be able to eat lamb.
During the winter it can become very dry indoors. This environment can cause moisture to be lost from a feline's skin and may lead to dandruff problems. The use of humidifiers during cold, dry months can help to resolve dry skin in both cats and humans. A cat's skin can also be affected by sunburn during the warm, summer months. Cats should be kept indoors during the period of the day when the sun's rays are the most intense.
Some medications can irritate a cat's skin and lead to the development of dandruff. Sometimes the dry skin on cats will resolve when the medication is discontinued. If the medicine must be taken for a prolonged period of time, then alternative remedies like anti-dandruff shampoo or brushing the cat's coat may help keep dandruff under control.
Fleas, mites, or other small pests can cause a cat to excessively scratch, leading to skin flaking. Medications to control these parasites are available to pet owners.
Older or obese cats may lose the ability to reach all areas of their coat when grooming. Owners may notice the appearance of dry skin flakes in hard to reach areas on their cat's coat. These cats may need to be assisted when grooming these areas. Owners can gently brush and use water to moisten the areas where dandruff is visible.
Occasionally, the presence of dandruff on cats can be a symptom of an underlying health problem. If home remedies fail to correct the dry skin problem, then veterinary care may be necessary. According to the ASPCA, a veterinarian should be consulted if any of the following skin problems are present:
- Persistent scratching
- Excessive licking or grooming
- Biting at the skin and coat
- Swelling under the skin
- Increased shedding/bald patches
References
Quality-Cat-Care.com: "Cat Dry Skin -- Causes and Help for Your Cat"
Ellen Whiteley, DVM.: "Home Remedies for Cats"
Diana Appletree: "Cat Dandruff Causes and Treatments"
 |
