What's That White Stuff? 3 Simple Ways To Get Rid Of Pet Dandruff
Has your dog started scratching like there's no tomorrow? Have you noticed a virtual snow storm of white flakes dropping off your pooch? If you answered yes to either of those questions, your dog may have a serious case of dandruff. If you thought only humans got dandruff, you were wrong. Take a look at your dog. If you see white flakes in its fur, you'll need to treat it for dandruff. Here are four simple tricks that will get the flakes under control.
Lather It Up
If you're not bathing your dog at least once a month during the winter and twice a month during the summer, you may be inviting dandruff. A good bath invigorates the skin cells and keeps them moist – which decreases flaky skin. Give your dog a warm bath and lather it up with your dandruff shampoo. Leave the lather on for about 5 minutes to allow the medication to work on the flakes. Rinse well to remove all the shampoo. For maximum benefit, add about a ¼ cup of colloidal oatmeal to the bath water. Colloidal oatmeal will moisturize your dog's skin and help relieve the itching.
Spritz It
If your home gets dry during the winter, try spritzing your dog several times a day to rehydrate its skin. Fill a bottle with water and add about ¼ cup of baby oil. Spritz your dog with the oil solution and rub it into the skin. You can repeat the application as often as necessary to keep the flakes away. Be sure to spritz behind your dog's ears, on its belly and inside the arm pits – areas where the skin tends to dry out the most.
Increase the Brushing
Brushing is a great way to increase the production of natural oils. It's also a great way to reduce shedding. Begin with a soft brush. If you're not sure the brush is soft enough, rub it across the back of your hand. If the bristles hurt your skin, it's too harsh for your pet's sensitive skin. Brush your dog at least once a day to invigorate the skin and evenly distribute the natural oils throughout your dog's hair.
If your dog's been itching a lot lately, chances are it has a bad case of dandruff. You can relieve the itching and get rid of the flakes by following the simple tips described above. If your dog continues to have problems with dandruff, be sure to discuss the issue with your veterinarian, such as Pet Vet Animal Clinic & Mobile Practice Ltd.
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