Dandruff

Dandruff

by Nancy Korman

Particularly in dogs, a case of flaky dry skin, or dandruff, can appear. The causes of the dryness can be many, but some things that only add to the problem are poor diet, low humidity, especially common in the winter, and not enough grooming to distribute oils. The skin is the largest organ and is used to rid the body of toxins. The only way to keep those toxins from coming out through the skin – exhibited by dry flaky skin and oily patches – is to prevent the toxins from getting inside the animal in the first place.

Rarely, dandruff can be a symptom of a more serious disease such as kidney, liver or thyroid disease. Have your friend checked out by a veterinarian to rule out any serious problems and then try some of these suggestions to get their coat gleaming again. It can also be a symptom of an allergy that needs to be recognized and eliminated from the animal’s environment or diet. There are several things you can do to help, and the most important is to remember that fixing this problem from the inside out is the way to go. Repeatedly working on the outside of the animal may clear up the dandruff temporarily but probably won’t last too long. By giving your dog the proper nutrients to build healthy skin, you can help him maintain clear skin and shiny, soft fur. Feeding a raw, natural diet without preservatives, colorings, flavor enhancers and other chemicals is the first step. Lots of information on how to do this can be found in this newsletter, in the Book Store. Also, you may want to pick up a reference book or two showing you all the details. These can also be read about and purchased at the Book Store Usually this is all you need do to have your friend’s coat become soft and lustrous again.

If you can’t feed a homemade diet, be sure to feed a quality commercial food. Cheap, grocery store brands just don’t have enough vitamins, minerals and the right fats to create a nice coat. There are special supplements you can add to the diet, whether you feed commercial food or homemade. Probably the most important is to make sure you are adding enough oils to the diet. Fish oils and flax seed oils add lots of essential fatty acids which will quickly show up as sleek fur. Safflower oil also can help. Adding between ½ teaspoon and 1 tablespoon at each meal is usually sufficient. B vitamins, acidophilus and kelp also may assist in getting the skin in better condition.

Some herbs that can help include burdock root, dandelion, and sage. Jojoba oil and lecithin are also beneficial. While you’re waiting for those great dietary changes to kick in and show themselves in soft, shiny fur and healthy skin, you can assist in the process by cleaning the outside of your pet. Shampooing out dirt and dead skin (the dandruff) will help. Just don’t use human shampoos or ones with flea insecticides in them. They can be very drying all by themselves. Try to choose a shampoo formulated for your pet that contains oatmeal. And don’t use dog shampoos on cats; they can have ingredients in them that may not harm your dogs but will be toxic to your cats.

Brushing your friend frequently also helps a lot. At first you’ll probably notice more dandruff as you brush, because you’ll be pulling it off the skin to the surface. But after a few days, the dandruff will be lessened and may even disappear as the oils are distributed better over the whole coat.

Remember: the best way to a nice, soft, shiny coat is to feed a good, healthy food to your animals. Then they will take care of the rest, including having healthy skin.