Why cats get dandruff

Dandruff Is a fairly common problem in humans. But not only people suffer from it, but also animals, including dogs and cats. Moreover, if you find "snow flakes" in your furry pet, then there is a reason to think and take action, because this is a sure sign that your cat is not entirely healthy.

The cat has dandruff on the back

You can often see white dandruff flakes on your pet. There are two types of it: dry and oily. The first looks like white dust all over the body, it pours down when you start stroking the cat. The second is liquid and thick. With liquid dandruff, the animal's coat shines, seems greasy and begins to resemble icicles a couple of days after bathing. Thick dandruff is not visible to the naked eye. It can be found when the fur is pushed apart in the form of sticky bumps of scales, or under the nails when scratching the pet behind the ear.

What can cause this trouble:

• parasites - their presence can irritate the epidermis of the animal, which leads to exfoliation of skin scales, in addition fleas, lice and pincers itchy;
• lack of vitamins - most often occurs in pregnant cats after giving birth, they lack vitamins and minerals;
• fungal skin diseases;
• impaired metabolism - occurs with an incorrect and unbalanced pet diet, with a lack of minerals and fatty acids;
• allergy for wool care products, food, medicines, dust, plants and many other factors;
• bathing too often, especially in hot water;
• dry indoor air and sunburn from frequent exposure to ultraviolet rays.
• problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
• hormonal imbalance;
• stressful situations;
• problems with the genitourinary system;
• disease of the internal organs;
• thyroid disease;
• diabetes.

A cat has dandruff at the tail

If your pet has dandruff on the back near the tail, then there are two options: improper diet and obesity. In the first variant, the animal lacks omega-3 and omega-6, essential vitamins and minerals. That is why there is a malfunction of the internal organs, problems with the skin, with wool, as a result of which dandruff occurs.

Tail dandruff is common in obese animals, as their plump makes it difficult for them to groom themselves and reach for their tail for personal hygiene. In the first case, it is enough to revise the pet's diet, introduce the necessary foods or vitamin and mineral complexes. And in the second case, it is necessary to consult a specialist and follow his advice on diet and caring for a cat.

Treating dandruff in cats

Treatment will depend on the cause of the problem. In any case, you must contact your veterinarian. At the same time, it is imperative to tell about all the problems of the cat, what it eats, where it walks, how often it is in the sun, what diseases it had, how long have you been doing treatment for fleas, ticks and worms... Based on your story and analyzes, the specialist will advise how to treat the animal.

There are special cat dandruff shampoos that can be found at pet stores to treat the problem. A good product should include exfoliating agents, an antifungal and antibacterial agent, substances that improve the functioning of the sebaceous glands, and an anti-inflammatory component. In addition to shampoo, cats need to purchase a vitamin complex.

If the animal has not been treated for ticks, worms and fleas for a long time, then it is best to start treatment with this. After bathing, you can rinse the animal's fur with a decoction of burdock root and calendula flowers. In addition to caring for hair and skin, it is necessary to review the pet's diet. Eliminate fatty and sweet foods, add foods with vitamin A.

To prevent your animal from suffering from dandruff, follow a few rules:

• a bowl of clean water must be available at all times;
• correct diet and tracking the weight of the pet;
• humidification of dry air;
• limiting the cat's exposure to the sun;
• the water for bathing the animal should be warm, not hot;
• bathing products of only the best quality;
• water procedures no more than 4-5 times a year;
• on time and regularly deworming and treatment for ticks and fleas.