When useless pores and skin cells accumulate on a cat’s pores and skin, hair follicles or coat, it’s referred to as a situation referred to as seborrhea, or just put, dandruff.
Presenting as small white flakes or flecks that seem all through her fur or connected to her pores and skin, they could be seen in particular areas — mostly on the base of her tail or hind finish – or in all places on her physique. Oftentimes these flakes are accompanied by such pores and skin irritations as redness, scabbing or lesions.
The commonest causes of cat dandruff embody:
Allergies: from fleas and meals to genetics and the setting
External parasites on the pores and skin: fleas, mites and ticks
Hormonal points: diabetes mellitus or hyperthyroidism
Internal parasites: coccidia, giardia and worms
Malnutrition or poor weight-reduction plan: diets missing in omega-3 fatty acids
Obesity: chubby cats discover grooming themselves tough
Orthopedic ailments like arthritis: ache can deter cats from adequately grooming themselves
Temperature adjustments or adjustments within the humidity
While stress could also be a perpetrator, dandruff might also be a symptom of a extra regarding medical situation that requires a go to to the vet.
Your vet will begin by reviewing your kitty’s medical historical past after which carry out an intensive examination on her. To decide if the dandruff is the results of some underlying situation, the next checks could also be ordered:
Full blood work: full blood depend, serum chemistry, thyroid ranges and electrolytes to verify for any systemic illness
Fecal testing: to verify for an intestinal parasite an infection that may trigger dry pores and skin and a poor haircoat
Skin scraping or hair plucking: to verify for fleas, lice, mites or ticks
Skin tradition: to verify for both micro organism or ringworm on her pores and skin
If nothing reveals an apparent underlying medical situation, your vet would possibly counsel altering your cat’s weight-reduction plan, altering or enhancing your setting (correct temperature/humidity) and her grooming habits in addition to offering her with both holistic or feline-specific dietary supplements designed to deal with the dandruff. Anti-seborrheic shampoos and topical therapies similar to Douxo-S3 or DermaBenSs can be useful. Should there be little or no enchancment in her situation over time, oral antibiotics, steroids and/or immunosuppressive drugs could must be thought of.
If a meals allergy is suspected, your vet could suggest altering your kitty to a novel protein — duck, whitefish, venison or rabbit — weight-reduction plan or to a hypoallergenic weight-reduction plan. Brushing and flea prevention are additionally beneficial, significantly for indoor/out of doors cats and those that can’t groom themselves correctly due to arthritis or weight problems.
However, in case your cat’s dandruff not solely lasts for weeks however is accompanied by scabbing, itching, behavioral adjustments, decreased urge for food, lethargy or vomiting, or for those who see fleas, mites or ticks on her pores and skin, schedule an instantaneous appointment along with your vet.
Nomi Berger
Nomi Berger is the bestselling creator of seven novels, one work of non-fiction, two volumes of poetry, and lots of of articles. She is a volunteer author for Furry Friends in Vancouver, WA and likewise volunteers her writing abilities to animal rescue teams in Canada and the USA. For extra details about Furry Friends go to www.furryfriendswa.org or contact them at [email protected] or (360) 993-1097
