Dandruff in cats is an alarm bell for owners. Dandruff in cats: causes and treatment (with photos)

There are 3 types of dandruff in felines.

• Dry. It can be shaken off your hands and fur. Gives the animal's hair a dry, dull appearance.
• Fat. May have different thickness. Thus, the “liquid” version is manifested by a pronounced greasiness of the hairs, which are glued together. If you stroke the animal, excess secretion will remain on the palm. With increased density of dandruff (less sebaceous secretion and more skin flakes), it remains in large quantities under the owner’s nails when trying to scratch the pet.
• Mixed. The death of skin cells and the work of the sebaceous glands occur unevenly on the surface of the animal’s body, which leads to alternating dry and oily seborrhea.

Why does dandruff occur in cats?

The causes of dandruff in cats are divided into two categories: external and internal.

Domestic

• Poor coat care (insufficient quality combing, infrequent washing, unsanitary living conditions, etc.)
• Dry air (dry skin leads not only to seborrhea, but also cracking of the pads of the limbs)
• Ultraviolet rays (accelerate keratinization processes, dry the skin, disrupt heat exchange processes)
• Incorrectly selected animal coat care products
• Stress
• Microtrauma of the epidermis (for example, due to an incorrectly selected comb)
• Frequent bathing (leads to dry skin)

To cure a mustachioed pet, you need to find out why he has dandruff. And here you cannot do without the help of a veterinarian. At the clinic, the owner will definitely be asked about the cat’s living and feeding habits, favorite habits (for example, he prefers to “sunbathe” in direct sunlight), hygiene products, previous diseases, and so on.

A mandatory item will be the passing of laboratory tests (which ones - at the discretion of the doctor):

• blood for general indicators, biochemistry, hormonal changes;
• taking material from the surface of the skin;
• biopsy;
• cultural research in a nutrient medium and others.

If tests show pathological changes in the animal's body, the veterinarian may order further examination.

Is it possible to determine the cause of dandruff at home?

In the absence of a veterinarian, you can roughly find out what caused dandruff in your cat. For example, if there are light yellow scales on the pet’s body, then such seborrhea can be caused by allergies, UV radiation (from the sun), or a disorder of the internal organs.

If increased shedding of dead skin particles is localized near the tail, it can be assumed that the pet has received a sunburn or has contracted a fungal infection. The same location of seborrhea is observed in felines that are overweight (since it is physically difficult for the animal to reach this area).

Helminth infections, dermatomycosis, joint diseases and other pathologies can lead to dandruff, localized not only in the tail area, but also in the lumbar area. And wandering dandruff (in the form of “tracks”) on the back, face, and paws is often a sign of a subcutaneous mite.

How to treat dandruff in cats

Treatment of dandruff in cats is carried out comprehensively and necessarily involves compliance with hygiene rules. The owner of a furry pet will have to not only provide it with medications, but also carry out a general cleaning of the room, monitor its behavior so that there is no hypothermia, overheating, contact with foreign animals, and so on.

Therapeutic measures include:

• drug treatment of the underlying disease, if it has been identified;
• taking antihistamines to relieve itching;
• taking vitamins;
• use of medicinal detergents;
• traditional methods;
• diet therapy (especially if you are overweight and have allergic dandruff);
• massage that improves blood circulation in the skin.

Drug treatment

Medicines prescribed for the treatment of dandruff in patients with mustaches may belong to different groups. In case of inflammatory processes on the skin (dermatitis) or their high risk, the doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, and in case of itching - antihistamines. Depending on the disease that provoked seborrhea, the following groups of medications may be prescribed:

• anthelmintics;
• antifungal;
• hormonal;
• antibacterial.

If the reason lies not in an internal disorder, but in an external factor, then, as a rule, they limit themselves to diet, folk methods and a change in hygiene products.

Vitamins for dandruff

The veterinary pharmacy today offers a huge selection of vitamin and mineral complexes that help restore the cat’s metabolism and appearance. Some of them are aimed at activating hair growth (Sherstevit), others have an antiallergic effect (for example, Veda). There are complexes that normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, affecting metabolic processes in general (Farmavit-neo). Taking vitamins is an essential part of treating dandruff, regardless of its cause.

Medicinal shampoos

Medicated shampoos will help rid your cat of severe dandruff. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the composition. They usually contain the following components.

Component

Action

Chlorhexidine

Antiseptic, antibacterial action.

Salicylic acid

Promotes faster rejection of dead skin particles. Has a healing effect.

Has a healing effect. Stimulates the restoration of the epidermis.

Burr oil

It has anti-inflammatory, regenerating, hair growth stimulating effects. Softens the skin.

Plant extracts

They have a variety of therapeutic effects on hair and skin.

Important: the therapeutic hygiene product must match the type of dandruff the cat has. Otherwise, complications may occur.

Traditional methods

When choosing one or another traditional method of treatment, you also need to consider what type of dandruff a cat develops. For example, with dry dandruff, lactic acid, urea, and oils are used to wash the animal. If the scales are oily, drying agents are used: salicylic acid, vinegar, preparations with sulfur. In any case, rubbing oils (burdock, olives, calendula) into the hair and skin gives a good effect, since at the same time the skin is massaged, blood flow is improved, and the epidermis is cleansed.

Wool can be wiped with decoctions of medicinal plants. Often used are infusions of calendula or string, burdock, and oat decoction. Such rubbing can be done every other day. Pouring or bathing in herbal decoctions can be done once every 1-2 months. You can combine washing with a medicated shampoo and rinsing the wool with a herbal solution.

Why is dandruff dangerous for cats?

Neglected dandruff can lead to complications. One of them is hair loss, up to complete or local baldness. It happens that such places are difficult or impossible to restore in the future. Hair loss occurs due to the fact that dandruff accumulations interfere with gas exchange in the skin, causing disruption of metabolic processes and weakening of hair follicles.

Another complication is purulent inflammation of the skin, reaching the deep layers. The accumulation of dead epidermis serves as an excellent breeding ground for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. Normally, they live on healthy skin, but cannot cause harm due to the good functioning of local immunity. With seborrhea, the immune system weakens, microbes multiply, redness, irritation, and itching occur. As a result of scratching, the infection penetrates even deeper - ulcers, pus, and eczema appear.

Prevention measures

The appearance of dandruff on your cat's fur can be prevented. To do this you will need:

When you notice the first symptoms, you must take your cat to a veterinarian. You should not treat dandruff on your own through trial and error.

Cats.

Humans are not the only living creatures on Earth who face the problem of dandruff. Dandruff and flaking skin are not uncommon in other species. Many of those who have cats in their homes can confirm that dandruff is often found in cats.

If dry white scales form on your cat's skin or appear on the fur, it means The cat has dandruff. In addition to the fact that the presence of dandruff spoils the cat's appearance, it can also cause hygiene problems.

Dandruff should not be confused with the natural process of replacing old, dead skin particles with new ones. Dandruff is a disorder in which there is excessive dryness of the skin, often accompanied by itching due to lack of moisture.

Causes of dandruff in cats.

Dry air: If there is not enough moisture in the air of the room in which the cat constantly lives, the skin gradually becomes dense and dry. On such skin, dandruff is more likely to form.

Excess weight: It has long been noted that fat cats are more prone to developing dandruff, especially on the back and around the base of the tail. Due to excessive weight, cats are not able to properly care for these parts of the body, which contributes to the formation of dandruff.

Sunburn: Cats that spend long periods of time in the sun also develop dry skin. In addition, under the influence of solar ultraviolet radiation, the death of skin cells accelerates, which also leads to the appearance of dandruff.

Use of medications: Many medications can have the side effect of dry skin, which leads to dandruff. The same result can occur due to the use of cosmetics and detergents for cats.

Various diseases: Health problems such as thyroid disorders and diabetes can also cause dandruff in cats. In addition, among the reasons leading to the formation of dandruff may be the following:

It often happens that dandruff occurs and goes away on its own. However, if this occurs regularly or the dandruff is persistent, a veterinarian should be consulted to determine the cause.

Prevention of dandruff in cats.

The best way to prevent dandruff in cats is to ensure there is adequate moisture in the room. If the weather remains very dry for a long time, you can consider using humidifiers. It is also necessary to provide the cat with constant access to water.

In their natural habitat, cats obtain moisture from available sources, as well as from the food they eat. In this sense, dry cat food is inferior to wet food and meat, which contain liquid that helps maintain the water balance of the cat's body. Fatty acids are also a good source of moisture for a cat's body.

You should not bathe your cat in water that is too hot. Comfortable warm water, on the contrary, helps the body retain moisture for a long time.

Dandruff in cats is one of the most treatable diseases. Many types of shampoos have been developed and are available for treatment; however, they should be used only after consultation and as prescribed by a veterinarian. In addition to caring for your cat's fur, you should take care of maintaining sufficient air humidity in the house and combating the cat's excess weight.

Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids or fish oil play an important role in a cat's diet for the health of its skin and coat. Most dry foods do not contain adequate amounts of Omega-3 acids, so adding fish oil to the food can improve skin condition and reduce dandruff.

Regular combing of the coat (grooming). Brushing your cat daily with a brush or comb stimulates your cat's skin and hair to grow stronger (see Cat Combs). While combing, the bristles of the brush massage the skin, improving blood circulation underneath, which in turn restores the health of the skin and hair.

Try to determine whether the formation of dandruff is caused by the presence of any substances in the cat's living environment. If you notice, for example, that after you laid out new bedding, the cat began to itch more often (this may be one of the causes of dandruff), the cat may have an allergic reaction to it. Try changing the bedding, or moving the cat to another room if the allergy is caused by some things that cannot be removed.

Many pets develop diseases similar to humans. In addition to internal problems with organs, there are problems with cat hair and skin. One of them is cat dandruff (scaly exfoliations of different colors and sizes). This disease is also called seborrhea, in which the animal is constantly capricious and scratches itself. Most often, dandruff spreads near the ears, on the cervical spine or back, but this phenomenon does not last forever and there is a way out.

In cats, dandruff and other skin disorders can appear due to some kind of malfunction in the body. It’s true what they say: “The more accurate the diagnosis, the more effective the treatment.” First you need to think about the changes in the cat's body. The appearance of dandruff is observed even with slight peeling of the skin. Consequently, the appearance of the cat is not so attractive: the shine of the fur is not visible, but the flakes of old, dry skin are more noticeable. This can lead to hygiene problems. There are many reasons for the formation of dandruff. It happens:

• due to dry air;
• excess weight (overweight cats do not have the opportunity to take care of their appearance as expected);
• sunburn (the sun is known to have a negative effect on the skin of both animals and humans);
• medication use (consequences of drug use);
• diseases (in case of thyroid disorders, diabetes);
• bacterial disease, immunological disorders;
• improper metabolism;
• stressful situation;
• mineral deficiency;
• unsuitable rough .

There are also serious reasons for the formation of dry flakes on the skin. For example, the presence of bacterial infections. The question arises: are there alternative methods to combat dandruff? How to help cats get rid of a painful disease? First, it is worth considering the question of how to prevent the formation of dandruff?

Prevention of dandruff in cats

It is believed that dry skin goes away without treatment. But most often it is necessary to use serious methods to eliminate the problem. Your family veterinarian can tell you about this.

A lot of effort needs to be put into ensuring the good health of your beloved pet. A loving owner will take care of the cat’s health, regardless of the time and money spent.

As the famous phrase goes, we are responsible for those we have tamed. Pets, especially when diseases occur, are directly dependent on their owners. These nice furry friends are not able to help themselves, so if suspicious signs of illness appear, you need to take action or seek advice from a veterinarian. One of these manifestations can be dandruff.

Symptoms

Symptoms of seborrhea in cats include:

1. The presence of peeling, widespread or localized.

2. Increased nervousness of the animal.

3. Expressed desire to scratch.

Cats may have different ones. Its appearance can be triggered by both external and internal factors. First, it’s worth finding out what this dermatological disorder is. There is a secretion in the skin that forms a microscopic coating on the smooth surface and fur. The sebum layer performs a protective function. When within normal limits, peeling of keratinized scales occurs constantly, but in an amount invisible to the human eye. As soon as peeling becomes obvious, you should pay attention to the health of the animal.

Cat dandruff. Causes and treatment

Monitoring the cleanliness of the surfaces where the cat is, and the entire home in general, maintaining the hygiene of the sanitary area is not at all difficult. After all, it is easier to prevent a disease than to later deal with its consequences, such as, for example, dandruff in cats. The causes and diseases that provoke its appearance can be very different. These include: disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and body, changes in the animal’s hormonal levels, allergic manifestations due to taking medications, stress, hyper- or hypovitaminosis, and violation of the feeding regime. For example, even introducing a new product into the diet can cause dandruff in a cat. It is almost impossible for the owner of the animal to determine the causes and treatment on his own. It is better to show your pet to a veterinarian, who, first of all, will ask many questions about the living conditions, care products and the cat’s detailed diet.

Don't self-medicate!

Self-diagnosis and subsequent treatment can often worsen the pet’s health condition. For example, when flaky skin areas appear, it is often recommended to enrich the diet with vitamin A and polyunsaturated acids. But if the cause of the disease was precisely an overabundance of these substances, then the situation will only worsen.

How to help?

What should you tell your doctor?

During the consultation and examination of a healthy animal, the owner must ask the following questions:

1. What products should a cat’s diet primarily consist of?

2. How many meals per day are enough for normal life?

3. What food additives and vitamins should be given to the animal, and under what circumstances?

4. What composition should you pay attention to when purchasing products for washing and caring for your pet?

5. How often can you wash your cat?

You should also ask about possible periods of hormonal surges and methods of regulating them.

At an appointment with a veterinarian in order to identify the causes of dandruff, you should describe in more detail the cat’s living conditions, his eating habits, illnesses he had to endure, behavioral characteristics, the literal name of the care products, medications or vitamins that were used.

Conclusion

If you find dandruff on your cat’s back, don’t be alarmed right away, but still pay attention to the essence of the problem and direct your efforts to identifying and eliminating the possible cause.

To understand whether cats have dandruff “just like that,” without cause and without consequences, you need to understand what this disease is. In the deep layers of the skin there are sebaceous glands. They secrete sebum or sebum, which performs a protective function - sebum covers every hair and skin with a thin layer, forming the thinnest protective film. When we notice dandruff on a cat's fur, we see exfoliated flakes of old, already dead skin mixed with sebum. Normally, there are very few of these scales; they peel off imperceptibly and gradually. The appearance of dandruff is a signal of changes, always negative. Therefore, dandruff cannot be considered normal, even if it seems that it does not bother the pet in any way.

So, why does a cat have dandruff, and why are there so many white flakes in the fur? Something probably affected the way the sebaceous glands work.

External factors:

Internal factors:

As you can see, it is very difficult to figure out the cause of dandruff in a cat on your own. You'll be lucky if the air is dried out by central heating. What if your pet suffers from sexual dysfunction or thyroid disease? With the question “why does a cat have dandruff?” It’s wiser to immediately contact a veterinarian-dermatologist without wasting time on guesswork.

Read also: Vaccines against rabies in cats

Types of dandruff

Depending on the individual characteristics of the body and the causes of seborrhea, dandruff can be dry or oily.

Dry dandruff in a cat is scattered over the entire surface of the fur coat with white “flour” - tiny scales that are easily separated from the skin and fur. This kind of dandruff falls like snow if you stroke your pet against the grain.

Oily dandruff can be thick or thin. If a cat has dandruff on the back, behind the ears and at the base of the tail, hairs stick together, they speak of “liquid” seborrhea. In this case, the coat is very greasy, sticky, heavy, and appears damp. After stroking the fur coat, the palm becomes shiny and shiny. The fur hangs in “icicles” already two to three days after bathing. With thick seborrhea on a cat's fur, dandruff is almost invisible, but if you scratch your pet behind the ear, greasy flakes of skin remain under the nails. If you blow on the fur, you can see tubercles stuck to the skin - clusters of stuck together scales. Sebum and dead skin form large and thick layers that look not like grains, but like flakes.