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April 16, 2021 7 min read
You may have noticed that your cat has been scratching and licking themselves more often than usual, and as a good pet owner, you’re likely concerned.
Itchy skin can come from a number of different conditions, and fortunately, many of them are easy to treat at home.
It can be difficult to tell if you’re not looking closely, but if your cat seems to be more itchy than usual, he or she may simply have a case of dandruff. While it comes as a surprise to a lot of pet owners, almost any creature can have dandruff occasionally. It’s common, and though it’s a little uncomfortable and unsightly, it’s not dangerous and can be treated either with veterinarian-prescribed medication or by using natural remedies at home.
You may be wondering “can cats get dandruff?” The truth is, almost any creature with fur, hair or feathers can get dandruff. All that dandruff is, is an excess of shedding skin that can cause major irritation.
No doubt, you are most likely wondering “how to get rid of cat dandruff?” Here’s a quick guide on possible solutions for you and your furry friend.
If you notice that your cat has dandruff, it’s natural to worry and wonder how this condition came about.
There are several causes of cat dandruff, and most of them have very little to do with the cat’s owner. Don’t worry, you didn’t do anything wrong. Your pet may have developed cat dandruff in one of the following ways.
Dandruff on cats can sometimes be mistaken for flea eggs which are also white and small. Flea eggs are round and oval-shaped, while dandruff is irregular in shape.
Flea eggs aren’t sticky, often falling off. Dandruff accumulates in your pets fur and will be very noticeable if your pet isn’t clean. Flea eggs are also accompanied by dark specks of flea feces, also known as flea dirt.
When it comes to black cat dandruff or dandruff on any darker fur, it can be difficult to tell. Make sure to make this distinction before settling on “my cat has dandruff.”
Dandruff in cats should not be mistaken for cat dander. Dander is a normal amount of skin that most pets shed. While it can sometimes lead to allergic reactions in humans, dander doesn’t have an adverse effect on the health of the animal.
Dandruff irritates your pet’s skin, making them itch and sometimes leading to the cracking of the skin. There is no way to stop the production of dander, but there’s a lot that can be done when it comes to how to treat cat dandruff.
Dandruff can be hard to notice, especially in cats with longer coats, but there are a few signs and symptoms of dandruff on cats that can help you narrow down the possibilities.
So, we know now that the answer to “can cats have dandruff?” is yes. So naturally, the question is, “how to get rid of it?”
Cats are thought to be able to handle their own cleanliness, and it’s no secret to any cat owner that cats can be pretty uncooperative when it comes to bathing them. However, it is not impossible to give your cat the help it needs.
If you’re worried that your cat has dandruff, and he or she is often stressed when attending vet appointments, you’ll be pleased to find out that there are many cat dandruff treatments that you can use at home. Unless your cat’s dandruff is severe or does not get better after home treatments, you can often forego the veterinary office visit.
Cat owners often have many questions when it comes to cat dandruff, so let us cover the ten most commonly asked questions about cats with dandruff and provide short, simple answers to those questions.
Usually no, cat dandruff isn’t serious or life-threatening. However, if your cat’s dandruff won’t go away no matter what you do, it may be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition.
Dandruff on cats is not uncommon and can develop due to very benign causes like seasonal changes, food allergies, and stress.
Cat dandruff is white, regardless of the color of your cat’s skin. Black flecks may be dried blood, fleas, or mites.
Dandruff develops when the skin becomes dry and irritated. When it is too dry, skin flecks tend to shed.
Cat dandruff can usually be treated at home, but if your cat appears sick or the dandruff becomes persistent or severe, it may be time to see your pet’s doctor.
Walking dandruff is another term for Cheyletiellosis, a highly contagious type of mite infestation that causes severe dandruff in cats.
Yes, ringworm can cause dandruff, and because it is a contagious fungal infection, it needs to be isolated and treated immediately.
Can dandruff alone cannot spread to people, but the mites and infections that sometimes cause dandruff are often zoonotic (including fleas, Cheyletiellosis, and ringworm).
Try some of the easier treatment methods before resorting to baths, and if necessary, contact a professional groomer for help (be honest about the cat’s symptoms).
It’s understandable to worry about your cat, but most of the time, dandruff is not serious and can be treated easily. However, if you’re concerned, the best bet is to visit your pet’s veterinarian.
Cat dandruff can be a bothersome issue for both cats and their owners, but most of the time, cat dandruff can be treated via diet management, a grooming routine, and the use of natural supplements and skin products that are designed to help moisturize a cat’s skin.
If your cat has dandruff, it’s important to try pinpointing the cause of the issue. This way, you can take steps toward treating the issue and improving your cat’s overall health.
Keep an eye out for long-lasting, severe dandruff, and if treatment at home does not rid your cat of mild to moderate dandruff, speak with your veterinary doctor so that you can better determine the cause and correct treatment method for your cat’s dandruff.