Home remedies for seborrhea in dogs

In the same way that occurs in humans, dogs can also suffer from dandruff, which can be dry or found to be related to seborrheic dermatitis.

In any case, you need to give the pet the proper treatment to correct the problem and take the necessary preventive measures to prevent this annoying condition that affects the quality of life of our pets.

What is dandruff?

It is a set of scales or dead cells that detach from the cutaneous cornea for different reasons and that remain on the dog's skin and hair. Although dandruff appears to be an aesthetic problem, in fact it has other symptoms that can be annoying for the animal, such as irritation, small bumps, scabs and hair loss. Additionally, because of the itching, the dog will scratch, which causes wounds and infections to appear.

It can be of different types and causes, which will be decisive to apply the appropriate treatment and take the most appropriate preventive measures. It is necessary to understand that it is not an aesthetic problem, but a health one.

Causes of dandruff in dogs

Understanding the reason why dandruff is occurring is the first step to correct it definitively.

• Poor toilet routine. Using human hygiene products, bathing too much or too little, applying colonies not suitable for them ... all are signs of a poor grooming routine and can be a potential cause of the dermal problem.
• Dry weather. There are environments that at certain times of the year are very dry and eliminate the natural moisture of the canine dermis, which usually occurs in winter. Restoring skin moisture may require changes in nutrition.
• Infections. It is not a common case, but bacterial and fungal infections can cause this problem and even cause blisters with pus. These are treated with specific treatments.
• Nutritional deficiencies. Feeding is important to ensure the general health of the pet and not providing it has consequences such as dandruff and the malfunction of its vital systems.
• Allergic states. Exposure to an allergic or irritating element may be the cause of this condition. Irritations can come from grooming products such as human shampoo.
• Other factors. Sedentary lifestyle, Cushing's disease and thyroid disorders are other possible but less common causes.

How to eliminate dandruff in dogs

The first stage of treatment is always symptomatic, aimed at correcting the problem directly. Usually, a canine shampoo is used that has a principle in its formula that helps control discomfort.

To choose this product, the type of damage that is occurring in the dermis must be taken into consideration, in order to properly choose the products to be used. Confusing treatment can trigger intense dermatitis, so diagnosis is an important step.

The selection of the treatment must be carried out by a specialist, since each type of shampoo has particular chemical elements that fulfill specific functions, such as sulfur, selenium sulfide, coal tar, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and iodine.

It is necessary to dispense with all those hygiene items that can cause imbalances in the dog's skin, that way we avoid causing more damage to the skin of our pet.

Tips to prevent canine dandruff

Brush the coat weekly and clean your furry friend with a mild shampoo, specially created for dogs, it is necessary, as well as complying with the recommendation of periodicity of the bath according to the breed. This is one of the basic guidelines to avoid the appearance of dermal problems in dogs.

The feeding is another of the key factors so that the canine skin has the sufficient health so that the dandruff does not take place. Foods that offer a correct balance of vitamins and minerals are appropriate, especially those that have Omega 3 in their formulation. Consult your veterinarian beforehand and do not change foods abruptly.

If it has been determined that one of the causes of the problem is stress, then the solution may be small doses of painkillers that eliminate the state of nerves in dogs with a high level of stress and make them perform physical activities to spend energy. Start with natural products to avoid the use of drugs, always under strict veterinary supervision.

Home remedies to treat canine dandruff

There are certain recipes or home remedies that can help to alleviate this problem in a simple way:

• Apple vinager. Because of its strong smell, it prevents dogs from scratching, it also has the ability to reduce irritation, reducing the problem significantly and in a very short time.
• Olive oil. If it is due to dryness, the simplest step is to place a little olive oil on the dog's skin, and thereby restore its level of hydration.
• Oatmeal. Bathing the dog with oatmeal can be a quick relief for skin problems because it helps restore the natural balance of skin oils and eliminate itching.
• Tea tree oil. This only serves to make our dog stop scratching, for its unpleasant taste, but caution, because if ingested it can end with a terrible indigestion.
• Lavender essential oil. The concentration to use this product is 1% in fresh water. Lavender has healing, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, so it can relieve irritation and itching.

Following the tips in this guide, you can ensure that your pet will be found dandruff free very soon in case you are suffering from this problem and, in addition, you will know how to avoid these episodes in the future. Follow your veterinarian's advice carefully along with the recommendations given today to ensure that the treatment is effective.

Types of seborrhea

We can identify 3 types of seborrhea:

1. Canine seborrheic dermatitis: It is a fatty seborrhea that, in general, is accompanied by an inflammation of the skin due to a serious infection in it. It would be one of the most serious stages usually caused by complications of the following.
2. Dry seborrhea or canine dandruff and, as the name implies, it is an excessive peeling of the first layer of skin. Very common in races such as German shepherd or English setter, among others. By not attending it on time, it can be deepened and become the one described below.
3. Oil seborrhea, very common in breeds such as shar pei or basset hound or due to complications of the previous stage where excessive fat production can be observed on the animal's hair and skin. Fatty bedsores can form with caking of hair in certain areas. We must differentiate it from allergic flea dermatitis.

The first thing to choose a treatment will be to be able to classify what type of seborrhea it is because it will not be the same to treat a dandruff as an oily seborrhea. We should always consult the veterinarian but here we show you some symptoms that we can observe in our dog that will guide us a bit:

• Severe peeling seen during hair brushing
• Fat accumulated on the face, body folds, ears, perineal region, etc.
• Flake plates that if we take them off can even bleed
• Much itching
• Loss>

Home remedies for canine dandruff

To start treating canine dandruff we must offer regular baths To our dog. We can use laundry soap, such as lizard or tablet, which is the one that best preserves the pH of your skin. It will also be essential to keep the skin as hydrated as possible.

We will not use dryer, since it will dry the hair, but also the skin. Towels and pampering, in these cases, are the best allies. He daily brushing It also stimulates the skin, so it is very important that it is very regular. In this way the essential oils of the skin will be produced naturally and we will distribute them homogeneously throughout the body.

We will offer you quality water to hydrate, preferably bottled and choose a very natural food, as well as as protein as possible.

You can supplement your diet with fatty acids Omega 3 and Omega 6 in food, which will help maintain healthy skin and shiny hair without much effort. Olive oil and sunflower oil can also help in these cases, considering 1 teaspoon of tea in small dogs and one of soup in large dogs a day.

Home remedies for oil seborrhea

As in the previous case, to treat oily seborrhea we will also need to give regular baths to our dog, but in this case with other preparations that will help avoid so much itching and decrease the oiliness of the skin.

We can make a Homemade soap to treat this type of seborrhea with very easy to find products. To do this you must mix:

• 3 cups of water
• 1 cup of baking soda (which will help exfoliate and moisturize the skin)
• 2 cups crushed natural oatmeal

This mixture will help eliminate itching of the skin, generating total relief. It has anti-inflammatory and exfoliating properties but in a very gentle way. We should always start by wetting the dog with warm water, then add the homemade soap prepared and then rinse with warm water again to avoid remaining debris. Then we will dry with the towel thoroughly. This process can be repeated up to 1 time per week.

We can also make a homemade soap by boiling a bunch of thyme (fresh or dried) or rosemary in a liter of water. Once the mixture is cold, we can do the same procedure as the previous preparation to bathe it.

A third and final preparation can be to wash a cup of white rice very well and boil it until it is pasty. Once cold we can use it as a shampoo by massaging our dog's skin very well before wetting it and then rinsing it with warm water.

This article is purely informative, at ExpertAnimal.com we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in case he presents any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Home remedies for seborrhea in dogsWe recommend that you enter our section on Home Remedies.

Why do dogs get dandruff?

Have you been brushing your dog and find whitish scales you are looking for lately? Is your dog scratching a lot lately? There are possibilities of what we are seeing is dandruff and your dog suffers from dry skin. Dandruff is basically simply dead skin that peels due to dryness that can be exacerbated by a variety of factors.

Lack of moisture

It is often a contributing factor, especially when the dog is kept indoors in a warm environment. The skin, in effect, tends to dry during the winter season. Reduction of the production of natural oils in the dog's skin can also play a role. In some cases, an underlying skin condition may be causing problems. For this reason, it is a good idea to have your dog see a veterinarian to rule out any skin conditions out. Some skin diseases require specific shampoos to treat.

* Note: if you notice very small scales that move, you can search in «Chelytiella», a type of mite often referred to as «walking dandruff». If so, consult your veterinarian for proper treatment. This form of scabies can be contagious to humans.

for dogs with dry skin, dandruff

If the dryness of the skin accompanied by itching and dandruff is observed especially in the winter, it is useful to invest in a humidifier to place in the main room. A humidifier in the bedroom will also help the dog and human skin.

Fill the water container

Your dog drinks, but your skin will be hydrated. Some dogs do not drink enough. Always keep a bowl of fresh water on hand to help your dog keep hydrated.

improve the diet

cheap dog food

Rich in preservatives, additives, dyes and artificial flavors can cause a dry, dull layer full of dandruff. Switch to a healthier, superior dog food can be beneficial

Spread the oil

If the skin has no natural oils, it helps brush the dog on a frequent basis. Brushing stimulates the skin to produce natural oils that can then be distributed throughout the layer. Brush your dog at the same time every day, so that the natural oils of the skin are distributed equally, according to the Vet information.

Bathe properly