Border Collies and Dandruff

Border collies have both short and long coats, but neither type has an undercoat. As a result, border collies do not generally require excessive grooming, but they do require a committed grooming schedule to prevent dryness or skin irritations that result in dandruff. Once the cause of the dandruff is identified, steps can be taken to treat dandruff symptoms and reduce potential dandruff causes.

  1. Symptoms and Causes

    • The symptoms of dandruff include dry flaky skin around the bottom of the hair shaft and white flakes throughout the coat. The causes of dandruff range between mild to severe, but seasonal allergies to pollen and ragweed, environmental allergies to dust and mildew, food allergies caused by irritants in shampoos and irregular grooming are the most common causes of dandruff in dogs. Bathing too often, using non-pet-safe shampoos and ineffective grooming add to the problem by increasing dandruff.

    Prevention

    • Dandruff in border collies is preventable. Prevention begins with feeding a quality dog food that agrees with your border collie̵7;s nutritional, intestinal and skin requirements. Dogs commonly develop allergies to beef, corn and soy, and as a result, they have dandruff and other skin problems including severe itching. Prevention also includes incorporating routine grooming sessions for skin and coat to maintain healthy oil levels and brushing the coat free from soil and other skin irritants.

    Treatment

    • Treat dandruff from the inside out by switching to a color- and additive-free pet food. Incorporate some organic foods into your border collies̵7; diet and use foods high in omega-fatty acids. Daily and weekly brushing routines eliminate soil and debris from the coat and disperse oils throughout the skin and hair. Pet-safe shampoos containing selenium treat dandruff and dandruff symptoms without irritating the dog's skin and prevent over-drying skin.

    Considerations

    • Use only products made specifically for pets and proven to be pet-safe. Ringworm is a fungal disease that mimics dandruff symptoms. It is contagious to humans and animals and is easily passed among household members. Never attempt to treat severe skin disorders before contacting a veterinarian. If you suspect ringworm or a bacterial-related illness, contact your collie's veterinarian for treatment.