What Causes Feline Dandruff?

Cat dandruff is a common condition that affects cats and causes white flakes on their bodies. According to VetInfo.com, about 50 percent of cats suffer from the problem. Fortunately, there are quite a few remedies for the problem; however, it is often helpful to know what is causing the dandruff in the cat.

  1. Dry Skin

    • According to Dr. Arnold Plotnick of CatChannel.com, dry skin can cause cats to develop white, flaky dandruff. Often, cats will develop this skin condition in the winter, when the air becomes drier than normal. In addition, most homeowners turn the heat on in the colder months, which can cause the dry air and, ultimately, dry skin. To combat this problem, use humidifiers in your home to add moisture to the air. In addition, try veterinary sprays that contain conditioners designed to replenish the dry skin and end the dandruff.

    Parasites

    • Parasites that inhabit the skin, such as fleas, ticks and dust mites, can cause a cat to scratch excessively, creating dandruff, says VetInfo.com. Parasites can even cause dandruff without the help of your scratching cat. Fleas, ticks and mites will actually bite your cat and ingest its blood. Doing so robs the body of nutrients that keep the skin supple and moist, resulting in dandruff.

    Not Enough Moisture in Diet

    • FaceKitty.com suggests that cats with dandruff may have their diets to blame. Dry food hardly contains any moisture, often causing a lack of moisture in the cat's body, which can result in dandruff. In the wild, cats naturally eat foods that contain certain amounts of liquid, such as meat and vegetation. Wet food even provides cats with moisture as the diet contains liquid. To stop the dry skin, consider feeding your kitty a premium wet food to hydrate the system and the skin. Moreover, add omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in cod liver oil, to your cat's diet. Available at most pet stores and veterinarian offices, these essential acids add healthy oils to your cat, often resulting in shiny coats and healthy skin. Either purchase omega-3 fatty acid capsules and give them to your cat based on the package's recommended dosage, or place a few drops of the cod liver oil onto your cat's food, then gradually work up to 1 tsp. daily.

    Skin Allergies

    • According to VetInfo.com, when a cat has an allergic reaction to a component in its environment, symptoms typically present themselves on the skin first. Cats can be allergic to almost anything, including perfume, laundry detergent and food. Dandruff is actually formed when the skin is trying to protect itself from the allergen.