Dog Dandruff – Management and Treatment

The mention of "dandruff" might evoke images of humans reaching for anti-dandruff shampoos, but our four-legged companions can also be affected by this condition. Borrowing your favorite shampoo won't cut it for your furry friend. Identifying dog dandruff is relatively straightforward – look for the traces of skin flakes around your pup's favorite spots, such as the couch.

Like all other skin related issues, the causes can be various, from dry skin to underlying health issues. It's crucial to pay attention to the signs, such as excessive scratching, dull coat, and of course white flakes on their fur.

Causes of dog dandruff
Dandruff in dogs is a common and manageable issue linked to their sebaceous glands responsible for producing skin oils. An excess of oil, known as seborrhea, disrupts the skin's balance, resulting in the formation of small flakes of dried skin, or dandruff. Conversely, inadequate oil production can lead to a similar imbalance, causing skin irritation. Both internal and external factors contribute to this problem, such as:

• Climate Changes: Just like humans, dogs face challenges during seasonal changes. During these periods, increased shedding and dead skin on their coat can lead to dandruff. In this case, extra attention to their grooming may do the trick. Install a regular brushing routine, which helps promote natural oil distribution and optimal skin hydration.
   
• Dietary Deficiencies: The correlation between your dog's diet and their skin health is significant. A lack of essential nutrients, including water, proteins, and fatty acids, can contribute to dandruff. Consult with your Farmina Genius Consultant to create a personalized nutrition plan based on your pet's needs.
   
• Adverse Food Reactions: Dandruff may result from an adverse reaction to a specific protein. In these cases, giving the correct food can drastically improve a pet's quality of life. Let’s see below how an adverse food reaction can be diagnosed and how it is treated.

Diagnosis of adverse food reactions through the elimination diet
The standard diagnostic method for diagnosing adverse food reactions is known as the elimination diet. This is a procedure that involves the use of a hydrolyzed protein-based food for 8 weeks. 

At the end of the 8-weeks, if symptoms disappear, the original protein source is reintroduced to check for symptom recurrence (this phase is called provocation). If the symptoms reappear, the hydrolyzed food is given again to have a new remission of the symptoms. The provocation phase helps confirm adverse food reactions.

During the 8 weeks of the Elimination Diet, your veterinarian or Farmina Nutrition Consultant may recommend the use of Farmina’s Vet Life UltraHypo diet. In the provocation phases, single animal protein recipes like Vetlife Hypoallergenic or N&D Quinoa Skin & Coat may be utilized.

In the face of adverse food reactions causing dandruff consult your veterinarian. Under their guidance, initiate an elimination diet, gradually introducing different animal proteins until a "safe" protein is identified. 

Managing dandruff with the correct nutrition
If your pet is currently struggling with persistent dandruff call your Genius Consultant! With the support of your veterinarian, we will help solve this issue with one of the many Farmina Single Animal Protein recipes.

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