Dandruff in cats and cats - causes and treatment. Skin disease dandruff in cats: causes and treatment

It often seems to the owners of cats and cats that the presence of dandruff in pets is too minor a problem to be worth paying attention to. However, this attitude is a serious mistake.

Do cats get dandruff?

Seborrhea can occur in any breed of cat.

The correct name for this disease is seborrhea. All breeds of cats are affected, regardless of gender and age.

What is seborrhea?

Seborrhea is accompanied by death and exfoliation of the upper layer of the epidermis.

A disease in which pathological processes occur on the skin, provoked by a violation of the sebaceous glands, as a result of which excess fat accumulates on the surface of the skin. At the same time, fatty seals are observed, and the hairline looks glued at the very base.

The upper layer of the epidermis begins to die off and flake off, resulting in the formation of whitish scales.

Provoking factors and causes

There are a lot of reasons for the appearance of dandruff and they all depend on two factors - external and internal factors.

Insects in a cat's fur can cause dandruff.

to an external factor relate:

fungal infection;
insects;
sunburn;
insufficient air humidification.

The cat has dandruff on the back closer to the tail

to a fungal infection microsporia can be attributed when the back and paws are affected. Ringworm can be added to the same group, in which the muzzle of the animal and the tail area are mainly affected.

If the air in the room is too dry and not moistened by anything , the skin of the pet becomes coarser and denser by an order of magnitude, which causes the manifestation of seborrhea.

Not good enough animal care and its habitat becomes a factor in the appearance of insects - mites or, which damage the protective layer of the skin, causing damage to the sebaceous glands, and leads to seborrhea.

Long stay in the open sun provokes a burn, and, therefore, damages the epidermis and sebaceous glands. Ultraviolet rays act as an accelerator of cell death.

Long exposure to the sun can lead to dandruff.

Internal factors

Stress may be an intrinsic factor in the disease.

Internal factors are pathologies that are inside the animal's body. These include:

diseases of the digestive system;
pathology of the genitourinary system;
hormonal imbalance;
endocrine pathologies;
stress;
reaction to medications;
malnutrition;
obesity.

Biggest stress for the cat - relocation. After suffering stress, dandruff may appear.

as a side effect after taking medication seborrhea may occur due to the fact that some drugs, in particular shampoos, provoke drying of the skin.

A lack in the menu of products containing fatty acids - omega-3 and omega-6 leads to dandruff, while it is possible.

Cats and overweight

Most often suffer from seborrhea in overweight cats.

Overweight animals suffer from seborrhea, which manifests itself mainly in the back area, closer to the tail, due to the fact that fat pets cannot take care of themselves sufficiently.

In addition, overweight cats have a different quality of dandruff than thinner ones.
The scabs look greasy and a bit slippery to the touch, making it slower to slide out of the hairline.
Dry scales easily slide off the coat and crumble into small grains. The treatment prescribed by the veterinarian also differs in this type.
The presence of a fatty type is visible to the naked eye - the hairline looks stuck together in greasy shreds.
The color of the scabs of dead skin can also differ. They can be painted white, yellow or grey.

black particles

Black particles indicate the presence of a fungal infection.

Diagnosis and treatment

The veterinarian needs to be told about the means used to care for the cat.

The establishment of an accurate diagnosis and the causes contributing to the appearance of this symptom is carried out through the collection of anamnesis.
If during the diagnosis no serious pathologies were revealed and the manifestation of a symptom is the result of a reaction to malnutrition, then help will consist in changing the diet of the animal.

The cat's menu should not contain sweet and fatty foods.

Phytotherapy

Combing a cat promotes hair growth and strengthens hair follicles.

At home, you can resort to the help of herbal medicine.

The cat needs to provide free access to drink.

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure, so prevention is very important.

The process of exfoliation of the upper layer of keratinized skin occurs constantly, in connection with the renewal of the epidermis. Excessive accumulation of "scales" on the skin of an animal is called dandruff. Dandruff is a symptom of a pathological condition caused by a malfunction of the sebaceous glands and characterized by an increase in the rate of exfoliation of skin particles in the form of scales for a long time. The scientific name for this disease is seborrhea. It affects kittens and adult cats of any breed, regardless of gender.

In the article we will tell you why dandruff appears, what to do when it is detected, how to cure seborrhea by contacting a doctor and at home, as well as possible complications in the disease and preventive measures.

Main features

Signs of seborrhea in a cat:

excessively oily skin under the coat;
an excess of white "flakes" of keratinized skin;
inflammation (redness) of the skin;
the presence of itching.

Seborrhea is of three types:

dry: “flakes” of the skin fall off when stroking the coat;
oily: dandruff does not crumble when combed, the “flakes” are glued together;
mixed type.

Causes of dandruff

Allocate external and internal causes of the disease.

Important! Using shampoo intended for humans can cause allergic reactions on your pet's skin.

Internal factors:

Incorrectly formulated diet. It entails a lot of health problems, such as:

Obesity. When overweight, it is difficult for an animal to take care of itself, reaching out to the back and lumbar zone, which is why an excess amount of dandruff accumulates in these places.
Allergic reactions.

Carefully! Allergies can be caused not only by food, but also by chemicals in the composition of the finished feed.

Problems with the digestive system. They entail a metabolic disorder in the body, which is reflected in the appearance of the cat.
Avitaminosis or an excess of vitamins. For example, with a lack of vitamins of groups A and B in the body, or with an excess of them, seborrhea appears.

Bacterial or fungal diseases. For example, microsporia or lichen lead to skin irritation, constant itching and hair loss in the affected areas.
Hormonal disorders(hypothyroidism, imbalance of sex hormones, Cushing's syndrome). Disturbed metabolism associated with the work of the thyroid gland leads to seborrhea.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system(arthritis, arthrosis). Pain in the joints during movement prevents the cat from caring for the areas of the sacrum and tail, which leads to excessive deposits of “scales” on the skin in these places.
Diabetes. A disease associated with insufficient production of the hormone insulin and entailing a metabolic disorder, which is reflected, among other things, on the skin of the animal.
Diseases of the urinary system.
Seborrhea of the idiopathic form. This is a hereditary disease characterized by active secretion of sebum.
Side effect of drug treatment. There are skin reactions to medicated shampoo or medications.

Types of dandruff

Dandruff is distinguished by color and localization:

Try to help your pet get rid of the disease by the following methods:

Important! If after all the above measures the disease progresses, contact your veterinarian.

Prepare in advance the answers to the questions that the doctor will ask you at the appointment to make a correct diagnosis. List of sample questions:

What is the cat's diet (basic foods, diet, amount of food).
The main habits and behaviors of the pet (for example, whether he likes to lie in the sun, which can provoke sunburn).
How well hygiene rules are followed at home.
What products and how often do you use when bathing a pet and when cleaning the house.
What vitamin supplements do you give.
Where and in what conditions does a cat live.
What was sick or sick. What medications were used for treatment.
How do you take care of your fur?

After collecting anamnesis, the doctor will prescribe the following tests:

general blood test and biochemistry;
blood test for hormones;
skin scraping;
crops on a nutrient medium and detection of skin culture;
skin biopsy.

Seborrhea treatment

Treatment of seborrhea is prescribed complex, it includes:

prescribing medications;
change in the mode and composition of nutrition;
prescribing vitamins (Sherstevit, Phytomins VEDA, Farmavit NEO, Beaphar and others) and food supplements containing Omega-3 fatty acids;
prescribing a course of antifungal therapy and antibiotics for fungal and bacterial infections, as well as retinoids;
improving the sanitary condition of the room where the cat lives;
changing the care of the animal's coat;
use of medicated shampoos;
the use of folk remedies;
skin massage and proper combing of wool.

Carefully! At home, the treatment of seborrhea can be carried out after consulting a doctor, prescribing special detergents and permission to use traditional medicine.

Effective shampoos for seborrhea include:

The composition of such shampoos in a certain dosage includes substances that can fight the disease and its consequences, for example:

chlorhexine (antibacterial effect);
zinc (regeneration and healing of the skin);
salicylic acid (exfoliation of dead epithelial cells, healing of the skin);
vinegar (fights infections, has an antibacterial effect);
olive, burdock or calendula oils (contribute to softening and renewal);
herbs: string, chamomile, burdock (relieves itching, irritation, restoration of the epithelium).

The independent use of many of these ingredients for the treatment of seborrhea is dangerous to practice without the consent of a doctor, you need to know the correct dosage, frequency and duration of their use.

Treatment at home

There are remedies and recipes of traditional medicine that the doctor is likely to allow to be used in the fight against the disease at home:

Bathing the pet every 2 months with a special shampoo, massaging the skin and combing out the soaked “flakes” of the skin during the procedure. Actions during and after washing:
- for dry seborrhea, use moisturizers in the form of oils added to water (urea, propylene glycol, sodium lactate, lactic acid);
- in case of oily seborrhea, in case of severe course and complications of dermatitis, remove hair from the pet's skin, then use dressings with ethyl alcohol for disinfection, treat the skin with Engystol to eliminate inflammation and itching. In addition, with this type of disease, agents are used that degrease and dry excessively oily skin (sulfur compounds 0.5-2%, salicylic acid 0.5-2%, selenium sulfide, benzoyl peroxide).
Before washing, rub burdock or olive oil into your pet's skin.
Use herbal medicine. Rinse the coat with herbal infusions every other day, wipe the skin of the animal with them. Herbs that will help cure seborrhea:
- succession;
- burdock root;
- calendula;
- nettle;
- coltsfoot;
- oatmeal broth.

Complications

Complications with seborrhea can be the following:

Purulent dermatitis. Occurs in the area affected by seborrhea, due to the layering of the bacterial flora, usually located on the upper layer of the epithelium and not causing reactions. Ulcerations are formed, itching intensifies, the skin becomes very red.
Eczema. Redness and itching of the affected area after scratching is covered with papules (nodules), in place of which vesicles (vesicles) appear with liquid. Pyogenic bacteria get into places with opened blisters, wounds become infected and ulcers, abscesses and erosions appear. The skin is constantly inflamed, swollen, raw, the animal is in pain.

Prevention

Disease prevention measures include:

To avoid serious consequences for the health of your pet, carefully monitor its condition and lifestyle, ensure proper care and optimal living conditions, and do not neglect contacting an experienced veterinarian at the slightest sign of illness.

Due to physiological factors, animals regularly renew their epidermis. As a result of this, a slight peeling - dandruff - may appear on the back and in the tail area. If you notice a small amount of dandruff in a cat, do not worry. However, the abundant manifestation of seborrhea indicates the manifestation of pathological processes in the body and requires medical intervention.

Does a cat get dandruff? This question can be answered by understanding the nature of the disease itself and the causes of its occurrence. Dandruff is dead skin particles mixed with sebum. When the renewal process proceeds without any deviations, the appearance of a small number of scales does not cause discomfort to either the cat or its owner. A large accumulation of dead skin exfoliation leads to severe itching, the animal begins to lick itself diligently, itching to feel relief. From this, wounds can even form on the skin.

Why does a cat get dandruff? There can be many reasons for this, both internal and external.

External causes of the disease

External factors that provoke the formation of dandruff include:

In addition, constant temperature changes can also provoke the appearance of seborrhea in varying degrees of intensity.

Internal causes

The appearance of dandruff in a cat, the causes of which may lie in the violation of internal systems, is caused by the following factors:

hormonal disruptions. The thyroid gland is responsible for the functioning of lipid metabolism and acts as a regulator of sebum production. Violations in this system can lead to seborrhea;
overweight. Cats that are over-fed become obese. This leads to the fact that, due to their sluggishness, they cannot fully take care of themselves. To some parts of the body, such as the lower back and back, they simply do not reach;
problems with the musculoskeletal system. Arising painful sensations in the joints reduce the activity of the animal. Self-care becomes difficult and leads to the appearance of dandruff in a cat on the back, lower back, around the tail;
allergy. The appearance of an allergic reaction to any product or hygiene product can provoke dermatitis, which is characterized by irritation, skin peeling, peeling;
heredity. In some cats, a disease such as idiopathic seborrhea is transmitted at the gene level. It is almost impossible to cure dandruff in cats, you can only reduce the symptoms of manifestation.

If a cat has dandruff, then taking medications, frequent stress, and diabetes can give impetus to this.

Types of dandruff in cats

Dandruff appears in cats and kittens at different ages, regardless of gender or breed. Based on the causes of the disease, seborrhea is divided into dry and oily, may have a different localization.

Dry dandruff. The exfoliated scales look like flour. They spread throughout the coat and are easily removed from the skin and coat of the animal if it is stroked against hair growth. The reasons for its appearance are dysfunction of the sebaceous glands, increased dryness of the skin or keratinization of the upper layer.
Oily dandruff. It is divided into thick and liquid. It is localized at the tail, behind the ears or on the back. In the first version, the exfoliated particles are practically invisible to the naked eye, but appear when you scratch the cat behind the ear. If you move the wool apart, you can see bumps on the skin. These are sticky greasy scales that have accumulated in one place. In this case, dandruff does not appear in the form of small grains, but as large flakes. The liquid type is evidenced by sticky hairs of wool. When a cat has dandruff on its back, its appearance looks dirty and untidy, as if it had not been bathed for several years. But even washing does not save. After a couple of days, the coat takes on the same unhealthy look.

Diagnosis of a pathological condition in a cat

If you notice that your pet is not all right, he began to itch more often and more intensely, “snow” appeared on the fur, then most likely he needs the help of a specialist. The first thing the doctor will be interested in at the appointment is the diet, attending grooming, taking medications and vitamins recently, living conditions, hygiene, etc. This information will help determine the causes of seborrhea. Perhaps, after the elimination of the irritating factor from the life of the animal, everything will immediately return to normal.

After collecting an anamnesis, the doctor determines the nature of the disease. If the problem is not in external factors, but in violation of internal systems, then the veterinarian will refer you for tests: general blood and biochemistry, urine, hormonal levels, skin scrapings, cultures on a nutrient medium and skin biopsy.

All manipulations are carried out in the laboratory of the clinic or veterinary office. The results can be obtained on the same day and the correct treatment can be prescribed.

How to treat dandruff in cats: medication and alternative therapy

Seborrhea becomes an extremely unpleasant disease when it passes from a normal state to a pathological one. In addition to aesthetic discomfort, your pet suffers from constant itching, and only you can alleviate his condition. Noticing dandruff on the back of a cat, a loving owner immediately wonders what to do and how to get rid of it.

Therapy with drugs includes a complex of drugs, the action of which is aimed at eradicating a specific cause of dandruff:

In parallel with the treatment, it is necessary to review the nutrition of the animal, it may be necessary to change the food, give foods rich in fatty acids, proteins, fats, etc. Massages and proper combing of the coat help.

Care products

It is likely that the doctor will prescribe medicated shampoos and balms for you. On sale there is a large selection of hygiene products designed specifically for the treatment of dandruff in animals. All dandruff shampoos for cats are divided depending on what function they should perform:

The composition of shampoos includes components that can fight seborrhea. These are antiseptic, zinc, salicylic acid, vinegar, medicinal herbs, oils. Their use, duration of use and dosage are prescribed only by a doctor. Misuse can only make things worse.

Folk remedies

With the help of improvised home remedies, you can also reduce the appearance of dandruff to normal. For example, decoctions of burdock root, succession, chamomile and nettle will relieve seborrhea, if every time after bathing a cat, rinse it with herbal infusion.

With dry seborrhea, various vegetable oils are added to the bathing water, as well as propylene glycol, sodium lactate, and urea. Oily dandruff is treated with compresses with ethyl alcohol, which are applied to bare skin. Treatment with Engystol will help eliminate inflammation and itching. In addition, degreasing and drying agents are used (sulfur 0.5-2%, salicylic acid 0.5-2%, selenium sulfide, benzoyl peroxide).

Before water procedures, burdock or olive oil is rubbed into the skin of a cat. Rinse your pet's coat and skin with herbs and oatmeal several times a week.

Prevention of dandruff in cats

It is better to prevent any disease than to treat it for a long time. If you do not want your pet to suffer from the appearance of seborrhea, take the following tips into service:

monitor the cat's diet;
regularly ventilate and humidify the room;
bathe the animal only as needed using the correct detergents;
at least every other day comb the coat with a brush with fine teeth;
minimize any stressful situations for your cat;
make sure that the animal always has a bowl of clean drinking water;
in the heat, do not overheat the cat in the sun.

Pets are completely dependent on their owner. How you take care of your cat will determine its health and well-being.

According to many, dandruff is a human phenomenon. However, pet owners need to understand that such a problem can occur not only in humans, but also in cats. Why does dandruff (seborrhea) in a cat indicate a serious illness? What diagnostics and prevention can be helpful in the treatment of feline dandruff?

Skin problems

Cats' skin is constantly renewing. The top layer of the skin peels off and falls off, leaving white flakes on the skin. This is a completely normal process. But it goes into an abnormal stage, when the cat begins to severe itching and hair loss, resulting in bald patches, and red spots appear on the skin. This means that the peeling process is too fast, the skin does not have time to regenerate. This phenomenon is no longer a normal reaction, but the first signs of a cat's illness.

Types of dandruff

There are two types of disease:

Dry. The exfoliated scales look like white fine flour, spread throughout the coat and are easily scraped off the cat's skin.
Oily. The cat's coat always looks dirty and greasy.

Causes of the disease

The reasons why dandruff appears in cats can be very different and unexpected. The normal functioning of the sebaceous glands is disturbed due to:

It is much more difficult to determine seborrhea in white cats than in dark-haired felines. Therefore, the owners of such animals need to be especially attentive to the health of their pets. Treatment of dandruff in a cat does not begin with independent actions, but with a trip to the veterinary clinic. Only a doctor can tell you what causes dandruff and how to deal with it. If the problem is allergic reactions, then you need to eliminate the main source of the allergen.

If there are problems with internal organs, the doctor will definitely tell you to do a blood test, urine test, hormonal analysis, skin scrapings, crops from the nose and throat.

Also, special attention should be paid to combing the cat. It should be as daily as possible and of high quality.

Prevention measures - 10 simple rules

It is better to prevent a disease than to spend time, effort and money on its treatment. Prevention of dandruff in a cat is a fairly simple procedure that requires only:

Monitor the proper nutrition of the cat.
Regularly, but in moderation, carry out the bathing procedure. Once a month will be enough. Don't bathe your cat in very hot water.
Regulate the temperature and humidity of the air in the room.
Brush your cat's fur every day with a fine-toothed comb.
Do not offend the cat, do not beat him and do not allow other family members to do so.
Provide the cat with good living conditions and rest.
Do not leave your cat for a long time.
Keep your cat out of close contact with outdoor animals.
Do not allow the cat's body to survive dehydration. Water should always be near the animal.
Keep track of the time spent in the sun during the hot season. The influence of ultraviolet radiation can adversely affect the skin of a cat.

Domestic cats are completely dependent on humans. Do not aggravate their already short life with bad diseases. Take care of your pets!

According to legend, a cat has 9 lives, and what a shame if an animal lives one of them, suffering from dandruff. Yes, dandruff happens not only on the heads of people, but also on the tails, backs and paws of a cat. Moreover, dandruff can appear both in a British cat and in a charming mongrel beauty.

Causes of dandruff in cats

An attentive hostess who devotes a lot of time to her beloved cat will always be able to notice the changes that are happening to him. If your pet's coat has suddenly lost its characteristic luster, and the animal itself shows visible signs of anxiety, often licks and itches, then you should carefully look at whether there is an excess of white scales and other anomalies of the epidermis on its coat.

There are many factors that cause dandruff in cats. The main ones include the following:

It is not worth delaying a visit to the clinic, because it is not always possible to determine exactly from what period the pet's skin gives signals for help. For example, dandruff in a cat with a light color can be detected far from immediately, because often housewives neglect the procedure for combing it daily. And only on the coal-black coat of a pet, you can see an excess of white scales at an early stage in the development of the pathological process. Therefore, the sooner you contact a specialist, the sooner the correct diagnosis will be established and treatment will be prescribed.

If you value the health of your cat, then you will not take lightly the appearance of dandruff in her. In animals, this cosmetic problem is often just the “tip of the iceberg” and is actually much more serious. Behind the banal peeling of the skin, a formidable disease can be hidden, the successful treatment of which can only be guaranteed to your cat by a specialist.

How to treat dandruff in cats

Therefore, carefully study the composition of the purchased feed, and best of all, replace it with a more expensive and high-quality analogue made from natural ingredients, including cereals, medicinal plants, vitamins and minerals. You will only need to add meat and vegetables to this ready-made meal. This way you will provide your cat with a proper and balanced diet.

The fight against dandruff will be effective if your pet's body always has a sufficient amount of fatty amino acids that are responsible for the healthy appearance of the skin and coat of animals. You can buy them in specialized veterinary pharmacies, and the dosage is indicated on the label of the drug. It will not be superfluous to take vitamin A, since it helps in the fight against inflammatory processes in the skin and is therefore effective against dandruff. The correct dosage for your pet should be determined by a veterinarian.

If you see that the cat is suffering from itching, it is necessary to eliminate this unpleasant sensation in order to avoid scratching and wounds in the future. Try rubbing burdock or olive oil into your pet's skin before washing, after adding vitamins A and E (on a fat basis) to it. If this method does not improve the cat's condition, then a visit to the veterinarian is indispensable, since only a practitioner can prescribe the right remedy.

Experts recommend that you wash off dead scales. To do this, you need to purchase a cat shampoo that will reduce the amount of white flakes on the animal's coat and relieve itching for a short time. According to veterinarians, the most effective remedy for this problem is a remedy that includes salicylic acid and zinc. These substances heal microscopic damage to the epidermis.
Shampoo must be used correctly and regularly. As soon as you see that there is a lot of dandruff, apply it on the skin and coat of the animal and leave for ten minutes to act. After the specified time, rinse off the shampoo, carefully removing its remnants. But remember that it is recommended to use such a detergent no more than once a week, otherwise you will only worsen the situation.

Since dandruff on your pet's coat can be the result of microinfections (bacteria, pseudomonas, staphylococci), ordinary table vinegar is a good way to deal with them. They should, without diluting, water the animal's coat for one minute. True, vinegar has an unpleasant pungent odor that the cat will definitely not like. In this case, look in veterinary pharmacies for a shampoo that contains it.

Try also another safe and proven remedy for skin problems, which is usually recommended for all babies - a decoction of string. To do this, pour two or three tablespoons of grass with a liter of water, bring to a boil and let it brew for a couple of hours. After bathing, rinse the cat's coat with this decoction. If water procedures are not included in your plans, you can simply treat the wool with a sponge dipped in a string.

Why is dandruff in cats so serious?

Often, seborrhea is hidden behind the excessive appearance of white flakes on the cat's coat. In this case, the amount of sebum changes and the keratinization of the epidermis begins. This disease occurs due to metabolic disorders, hormonal dysfunctions in the animal, as well as problems with the liver and other digestive organs. It is possible to diagnose the causes that caused seborrhea by passing the necessary tests and evaluating their results by a doctor. Depending on the severity of the disease, the veterinarian will give recommendations on rational nutrition, advise the necessary feed supplements, prescribe shampoos against seborrhea or prescribe hormonal therapy.

If you find dandruff in your cat or cat, you should carefully examine his coat, because lice, fleas and withers can live in it. No less dangerous are bacterial, viral, fungal infections that cause various diseases in representatives of the cat family and are accompanied by one of the main symptoms - the appearance of a large number of white skin flakes. All of them are a direct threat to the health and good shape of your pet, and therefore require timely and effective treatment.

Prevention of dandruff in cats

Make sure that the air in the room where your pet lives has a normal percentage of humidity. After all, its dryness is a discomfort not only for human skin, but also for animals. Therefore, be sure to buy a humidifier and always use it if necessary. Make sure that your furry pet always has free access to fresh drinking water, otherwise his body may become dehydrated.

Does your cat like to sit in the sun for a long time? Ultraviolet light can also cause dandruff by damaging and drying out the top layer of the epidermis. Observe the animal, and if white scales appear mainly in summer, when it is very hot and sunny, temporarily limit the period of the cat's exposure to scorching ultraviolet radiation and release it on the balcony in the early morning or late afternoon.

Since one of the reasons for the appearance of dandruff in cats, experts call improper care of the animal's coat and frequent water procedures using aggressive shampoos, it is entirely within your power to correct these points. Do not bathe pets in too hot water and do not use cheap pet cosmetics of unknown origin. Remember that such hygiene procedures as bathing should not be carried out more than once a month. But combing the cat's hair is necessary every day and this is not only an obligatory part of good animal care. So you will always be able to notice the first signs of unwanted changes associated with his skin.

If you are sure that dandruff appeared in a cat as a result of severe stress or a nervous shock associated with a change in the usual living conditions, try to compensate for this with additional attention and affection. Make sure your pet always has a comfortable place to rest. Do not let other family members offend him, do not leave the cat alone for a long time.