What Can I Use to Treat My Miniature Pinscher's Dandruff?

The miniature pinscher, or the "min pin," has a short, smooth and sleek coat that is easy to groom, but it's essential to use suitable grooming products to protect its skin. Miniature pinschers shed dander regularly, but in certain cases, the dander is produced in excess. Pet dander is an aesthetic problem, but if the skin is dry, this may cause itchiness and other complications. Dander also contains a protein that triggers allergic reactions in sensitive people.

  1. Causes

    • Your min pin may develop dandruff in excess when it has dry skin. Dry skin is caused by a wide range of factors such as cold weather conditions, wind, excessive heating and dry air, the use of an unsuitable shampoo, lack of proper nutrients in diet, fungal skin infections, liver disease, hypothyroidism, inhalant or contact allergies. The treatment you administer depends greatly on the cause of flaky skin. Some conditions such as inhalant allergies are easy to detect because your dog will sneeze and scratch when in contact with pollen or a specific allergen, while liver disease requires special testing to get an accurate diagnosis.

    Veterinary Care

    • Underlying conditions such as thyroid disease or liver disease causing flaky skin and excessive dander require specialized veterinary care. Your vet should also look at your min pin's diet and decide if it receives the right amount of nutrients. For instance, a diet poor in fats may cause excessive flaking. Fungal skin infections such as the yeast infection require topical treatment with anti-fungal creams. Parasites are treated with insecticide sprays or solutions. Don't attempt to treat your dog if you don't have a clear diagnosis. Treat your dog at home only if the excessive dandruff shedding is related to cold weather or the use of a shampoo.

    External Home Treatments

    • If your dog sheds dander in excess due to the use of an unsuitable shampoo, you need to change the brands and opt for a mild shampoo formulated for dogs. Colloidal oatmeal soap is recommended if your dog has dry skin. Certain dogs respond well to shampoos that are created to reduce dander production; they contain sulfur or salicylic acid. Use only lukewarm water when bathing your pet and use an oil rinse, which moisturizes the skin and makes skin retain the moisture. Don't bathe your min pin too frequently because this may cause dry skin -- one bath per month or every second month should suffice. Brush your pet twice per week and if needed, give it sponge baths or use cleansing wipes, which don't remove the essential oils that keep the skin moisturized.

    Internal Home Remedies

    • Reduce dandruff by introducing some vitamins and supplements into your dog's diet. Your vet may indicate a few supplements or recommend switching to a premium canine food that contains the right amount of fats and other nutrients to keep your min pin's skin healthy. Fatty acid supplements such as omega-3 have a beneficial effect on flaky skin. Fish oil and love oil also contain omega-3 fatty acids and may be added to your dog's daily diet.