Although collies are generally healthy dogs, they are prone to skin issues, including dandruff. Dandruff is flaky skin that is often caused by a variety of issues, including parasites. If you are unsure if your collie has dandruff, there are a few telltale signs of its presence.
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Flaky Skin
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Collies typically have long, thick hair. Seeing a collie's skin usually takes some searching. If you lift up the hair to reveal the skin and see white flakes, the collie has dandruff. When you brush your collie, look between the bristles. You will see flakes mixed in with the hair if your collie has dandruff. Dogs can also develop a condition known as "walking dandruff," in which the flakes appear to move. According to the Dog Illness and Symptoms website, walking dandruff is caused by a mite. The flakes move because the mites are walking around underneath them. This type of dandruff is of special concern to collies, because the medication that is often used to treat it---ivermectin---can be quite detrimental to a collie's health. If your collie has walking dandruff, consult with its veterinarian as to which medication is best. If the flakes are caused by dry skin, consider using a conditioning shampoo and spray to soothe the skin.
Scratching
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Just like with humans, dry skin can cause a collie to itch. If you notice your collie is scratching excessively, dandruff could be to blame. Examine your collie's skin for other itch-causing issues, such as fleas. If your collie does have fleas, you may not see the actual parasite but you will see its feces, also called "flea dirt," states the Collie Dog Owners website. Flea feces looks like curly specks of pepper. You can know if it's flea dirt by placing the specks on a white paper towel, then dabbing water on top of the them. If they start to turn red, they are likely flea feces. Flea dirt turns red because it is digested blood. If your collie has flea dirt, it most likely has fleas that should be treated with a flea control product. If the scratching and dandruff is caused merely by dry skin, consider administering omega-3 fatty acid supplements to the collie to replenish the skin's oils.
Oily Skin
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Even though your collie's skin might be dry, its hair could be oily when it has dandruff. If you notice your collie's coat begin to look darker and feel different when you pet it, it could be due to dandruff. Move the hair to get a good look at the collie's skin. If you detect white flakes, the collie has dandruff. Try giving the collie a different diet that is full of natural, organic ingredients and see if the coat and skin conditions improve after a month or two. If not, try omega-3 fatty acid supplements and conditioning sprays or consult your veterinarian for treatment.
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