As in humans, cats can have dandruff, i.e. small white spots on the fur. These spots are dead skin, indicate a dry scalp problem and can cause itching.
There may be a number of causes of dandruff in cats, so it’s important to determine the origin for proper treatment. This is not a serious problem, so don’t worry and read on. In this peritoAnimal article we explain the main causes of dandruff in cats and what solutions are indicated.
- Dandruff is nothing more than dead skin on the scalp that comes off and attaches to the scalp or falls.
- Skin cells renew naturally.
- But sometimes certain diseases or problems can cause excess dandruff.
É normal que, as vezes, você observe pequenos pontos brancos de caspa na pelagem do seu gato. Elas deveriam sair naturalmente com as sessões habituais de escovação do pelo. É importante manter a pelagem e a pele do seu gato o mais saudável e cuidada possível.
When you may notice redness on the skin, the cat itches excessively and dandruff is more evident. Cats can cause sores when scratched if their skin is too delicate. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate the problem as soon as possible to avoid complications.
Different situations can cause dandruff in cats, such as
Being overweight can make your cat unable to clean and lick easily, as obesity can limit its movements, drying certain areas of the body and thus favoring dandruff. To avoid obesity in cats, it’s important for your pet to maintain constant physical activity and good nutrition.
A food-scarce diet can cause problems with the cat’s skin. You should avoid poor quality commercial foods, as the lack of omega 3 dries the skin and can cause dandruff.
It is important to provide your cat with a good diet, choosing quality foods, or by offering homemade foods specially designed for your cat, as well as good hydration.
An omega 3 deficiency can be corrected if you offer fish oil or vitamin supplements in your cat’s diet. To do this, you should consult a trusted veterinarian.
Living in a very dry and humid environment can dry out your cat’s skin. This can be corrected by placing a humidifier at home to increase the level of moisture in the air.
In addition, intense sun can cause skin burns, so it’s important to avoid prolonged exposure.
Allergies caused by food or environmental conditions caused by skin problems can lead to dandruff production. For more information on cat allergy, see this article.
The presence of mites, known as Cheyletiella or “walking dandruff,” can simulate the presence of dandruff in cats. In fact, they are small parasites that feed on your pet’s skin. It is highly contagious in cats, so it is important to remove it as soon as possible.
The veterinarian will recommend a lotion or shampoo that will eliminate mite infestation. You should also clean the cat’s bed and areas where she likes to sleep. Because they are parasites, it is essential to remove the remains so that they do not reproduce. Learn more about mites on cats in this other article.
Cats are very sensitive to stress and change. In addition, each cat is affected differently. To reduce stress in cats, it is necessary to enrich the environment, provide exercise and a healthy diet.
Some diseases can be mistaken for dandruff at first. These diseases usually have other symptoms such as irritated skin and severe itching. If you’re worried about seeing your cat with dandruff, here may be the clinical origins:
Cats may suffer from a type of dermatitis that can be mistaken for dandruff. It is usually caused by the presence of an allergen in the environment or by direct contact with an irritant and causes rashes and scabs on the skin of the animal.
Ringworm is a fungal skin disease. It causes hair loss, dries the skin and causes dandruff to appear. It is a very serious and contagious disease for both animals and humans. Cats with Cheyletiella or “walking skins” are more likely to get this disease.
The problem of light dandruff can be easily treated with cat-specific shampoos or lotions. Never use human products, even if they are anti-dandruff. Determining the cause of proper dandruff is critical. To do this, you must take your cat to the veterinarian, do the necessary tests and rule out possible diseases, as well as the presence of mites or other infestations. Find out if your cat’s diet is the most suitable or if it needs to be changed.
If your cat isn’t used to swimming, you may find it hard to bathe for the first time. In addition, you should remove all other shampoo to avoid irritation. Therefore, it is recommended to bathe your pet from an early age, get used to playing and put it at ease with water. If your cat is old or very grumpy and you don’t feel comfortable bathing it, a good alternative is sanitary wipes for cats.
Don’t forget to brush regularly to remove dead hair and keep fur clean and healthy. Choose the best brush for your cat and familiarize it with the activity. If your cat has irritated and sensitive skin, brush it thoroughly and without pressing too hard. In addition, there are home remedies that help fight dandruff in cats, check the indications in this other article.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to Cat Pellicules: Causes and Solutions, we recommend that you visit our Other Health Problems section.