Natural Cures for Dog Dandruff

Dog dandruff can plague our canine friends from time to time causing itching and unsightly white flakes that mar the look of their shiny, healthy coats. Veterinarians will often prescribe remedies for dog dandruff, but more and more dog owners are looking toward natural remedies for treating their pets. There are several natural options for treating dog dandruff. One or more may be right for treating your dog's dandruff.

  1. Internal Options

    • The best option for any type of health issue is to treat the source of the problem. Because dandruff on dogs is usually a sign of a diet deficiency, it is best treated with a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Adding flaxseed oil to your dog's diet will eventually get rid of the dandruff and should prevent future outbreaks of it. A tablespoon of oil poured over your dog's food is a standard dosage, but check with your veterinarian before starting your dog on any therapies. Fish oil has been known to provide the same health benefits to dogs.

    Bathing

    • Adding a cup of all-natural rolled oats to your dog's bath water has been known to treat dog dandruff. Because oatmeal helps lock natural oils into the skin that get stripped away by shampoos and other topical treatments, this natural remedy will cause the skin to retain more of its natural moisture. Lack of moisture or skin oils is one of the causes of dog dandruff.

    Advertised Natural Remedies

    • Certain products on the market in health food stores and even in some veterinarian's offices are all-natural packaged remedies for curing dog dandruff. One such product made by PetAlive.com is called Skin and Coat Tonic. Applied to the dog's skin, it is designed to act as a barrier between the skin and the outside elements that may affect the skin. It is comprised of all-natural herbs, nutrients and biochemical tissue salts that are known for their healthy support and maintenance of a dog's skin and coat.

    Herbal Concoctions

    • A visit to an herbalist may find you mixing up a concoction for treating your dog's dandruff. Ask your local herbalist for a natural remedy including some of the following herbs known to cure and, later, prevent dandruff. One concoction suggested by herbalists includes mixing equal parts of arum triph, viola tri, Comocladia and cina added with twice as much chamomilla. Rub this into your dog's skin once per day for 3 or 4 days for relief from dandruff.

    Exercise and Brushing

    • Both naturopathic and traditional veterinarians agree that both exercise and brushing play vital roles in the treatment of dog dandruff. Because exercising stimulates organs like the liver and kidneys, which are required for healthy waste elimination, and brushing stimulates healthy skin regrowth, the combination of these two processes may cure your dog's dandruff.

    Warnings

    • If your dog suffers from repeated cases of dandruff or dandruff that doesn't respond to treatments, it is always wise to seek the advice of your veterinarian, because your dog's dandruff may indicate a more serious underlying health condition, such as liver disease. It's always better to be safe than sorry with regard to the health of man's (and woman's) best friends.