Dandruff In A Cat, Including On The Back Near The Tail: Causes Of Appearance, Diagnosis, Whether Treatment Is Necessary, Prevention Of Seborrhea, Reviews

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

How to get rid of cat dandruff: a review of effective methods

Sometimes the owner may notice dandruff on the cat's fur. Understanding the reasons why it has arisen, a person will be able to return the pet to its previous glossy appearance, as well as protect it from health problems, whose manifestation in most cases is dandruff.

Content

• 1 What does cat dandruff look like and where does it appear?

  • 1.1 Types of dandruff
  • 1.2 Photo gallery: types of dandruff
• 2 When is dandruff the norm

• 3 In what cases does the presence of dandruff indicate a disease

  • 3.1 When to see your veterinarian

  • 3.2 Use of veterinary drugs and medical shampoos

    3.2.1 Table: Overview of remedies for treating dandruff in cats

  • 3.3 The use of traditional medicine
• 4 Prevention of dandruff
• 5 Is seborrhea in a cat dangerous for humans
• 6 Recommendations from veterinarians

What does cat dandruff look like and where does it appear?

Cats have several types of dandruff, which is formed due to increased desquamation of the upper stratum corneum of the skin - the epidermis. The epidermis is constantly renewing, so a small amount of dandruff is normal.

The increased formation of dandruff indicates seborrhea - a violation of the activity of the sebaceous glands

Seborrhea happens:

• primary, being an independent disease, which is very rare. An example is idiopathic seborrhea, which is diagnosed by excluding all other conditions;
• secondary - appears due to the presence of an underlying disease.

Most often, dandruff in cats occurs in areas with an increased concentration of sebaceous glands:

• on the face;
• on the chin;
• back of the back;
• at the base of the tail.

With a more pronounced dysfunction of the sebaceous glands, dandruff is visible on other parts of the cat's body.

A cat's love for sunbathing can lead to dandruff

Types of dandruff

Dandruff is distinguished:

• depending on the type of seborrhea:

  • dry seborrhea is characterized by the presence of many white detached epidermal scales on the surface of the cat's skin, as well as in its fur, which easily crumble if you hold your hand against the animal's fur and remain at the pet's resting place. Dandruff is especially visible with dry seborrhea on dark-colored pets. The coat becomes thin and brittle and may fall out. Dry seborrhea is formed due to insufficient production of the secretion of the sebaceous glands;
  • oily seborrhea - dandruff with it is a layer of the epidermis, glued together with sebum. The appearance of the coat changes - it looks like it is wet and can stick together into "icicles", especially at the base of the tail on the back, as well as behind the ears. After stroking such wool, the palm shines. Dandruff with oily seborrhea is sticky and can form small, palpable bumps under the cat's coat. If you move the coat apart, you can see the dilated mouths of the sebaceous glands and often redness as a sign of inflammation, since oily dandruff promotes the growth of microbial flora, and acne and seborrheic dermatitis easily develop against it with a transition to eczema. With oily seborrhea, the amount of secretion of the sebaceous glands is increased, and dandruff with it is either thick or liquid;
  • with a mixed form of seborrhea, a pet has a joint presence of both dry and oily dandruff;

• by color:

  • white dandruff - with dry seborrhea, also called dry dandruff;
  • dark dandruff - indicates a cat infection with a fungal infection or external parasites.

Photo gallery: types of dandruff

With dry seborrhea, white dry horny scales of the epidermis are visible on the coat

With oily seborrhea, the detached scales of the epidermis stick together into layers with sebum, the skin is inflamed, since excess sebum promotes the reproduction of microbes

Dark dandruff in this case indicates flea dermatitis; also dark dandruff can be with fungal skin infections

Oily seborrhea is easily complicated by secondary pyogenic bacterial flora

When is dandruff the norm?

In some cases, dandruff is considered a physiological norm:

• when molting;
• when the temperature and humidity of the air change, for example, when the season changes in cats that are often outdoors or when conditions change when keeping a room cat;
• with excessive insolation, dandruff forms in areas with less dense hair - behind the ears and on the ears, in the nose, on the face;
• in dry air in the room where the cat is kept;
• in hairless cats, an increased secretion of sebum is considered a physiological norm, so they are often bathed.

In these cases, the amount of dandruff increases very moderately and is not excessive.

Increased sebum production in hairless cats is a physiological norm.

When does the presence of dandruff indicate a disease?

In most cases of its appearance, dandruff is a consequence of secondary seborrhea and a symptom of another disease, possibly latent:

• endocrine disorders, often with thyroid pathology or dysfunction of the gonads;
• allergic conditions, food ingredients, cat care products and other factors can act as allergens;
• fungal skin lesions, often caused by ringworm;
• obesity, in which the cat cannot fully groom its coat, especially on the back and lower back, because it becomes clumsy and cannot reach;
• joint diseases, which also prevent the cat from self-grooming due to joint pain that limits the cat's mobility, while the sacrum, tail and back are covered with dandruff;
• the presence of skin parasites, fleas and ticks that irritate the cat's skin, and can also cause allergies to the components of their saliva and secretions;
• diseases of the digestive system, which result in metabolic disorders, especially of the liver and pancreas;
• chronic viral diseases such as feline viral leukemia;

• unbalanced diet, deficient:

  • vitamins, especially A and group B;
  • polyunsaturated fatty acids;
  • minerals and trace elements;
• stress;
• blockage of the paraanal glands, in which an oily form of seborrhea often develops.

In some cases, seborrhea may indicate improper care of the cat, for example, frequent bathing or the use of an unsuitable pet shampoo that dries out the cat's skin.

When dandruff develops, the following signs may attract the wearer's attention:

• a change in the smell of a cat due to the presence of a secondary infection with fungal and bacterial flora; the smell is rotten or moldy, and its intensity depends on the severity of microbial or fungal contamination;
• anxiety or resistance of the cat when feeling certain parts of the body, if you move the coat apart, you can see dry or oily skin with signs of redness and irritation, and if you pay attention to the skin folds on the cat's stomach and paws, you can see signs of acute or chronic inflammation skin - dermatitis.

For the treatment of dandruff, anti-seborrheic shampoos are used that regulate the activity of the sebaceous glands.

When to see your veterinarian

A veterinarian should be consulted in all cases of dandruff to determine its cause, since dandruff is often a symptom of a general disease, including contagious, such as ringworm, transmitted to both humans and other animals.

The veterinarian examines the cat, interviews the owner and performs additional diagnostic tests:

• general blood analysis;
• blood chemistry;
• a blood test for hormones;
• carrying out skin scrapings with their subsequent microscopy;
• bacteriological research - sowing flora on a culture medium to identify the pathogen, most often used to isolate the causative agent of ringworm in the latent form of the course of the disease;
• sometimes a biopsy of the affected skin is performed to clarify the nature of the inflammation.

A veterinarian's consultation is necessary if dandruff is found in a pet

Use of veterinary drugs and medical shampoos

Since dandruff is caused by various reasons, then its treatment is carried out by means of different therapeutic orientations.

In cases where dandruff is caused by secondary seborrhea, the leading role belongs to the treatment of the underlying disease; otherwise, after a short-term improvement after using zooshampoos, dandruff will return

In the treatment of dandruff, the following are used:

• anti-seborrheic shampoos that regulate sebum production:

  • Anti-Dandruff from Beaphar;
  • shampoo Doctor;
  • shampoo Cytoderm;
  • dry shampoo Tropiclin;
  • other means;

• antiparasitic agents for fleas and ticks:

  • Frontline spot it;
  • Phyprex 75;
  • other means;

• retinoids - to regulate the processes of keratinization of the skin:

  • isotretinoin;
  • etretin;

• antimicrobial and antifungal drugs for secondary infection, for example:

  • Sinulox - with bacterial flora;
  • itraconazole - for fungal;

• food additives with polyunsaturated fatty acids:

  • Omega-3 Pet;
  • SOS salmon oil;
  • other means.

Due to the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, fish oil preparations improve the condition of the skin with dry seborrhea

Table: An overview of remedies for treating dandruff in cats

A drug	Structure	Operating principle	Price, rub
Shampoo Doctor	Benzoyl peroxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, coconut oil	Removes exfoliated epidermis, skin secretions, normalizes the activity of the sebaceous glands, has anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects; deodorizes wool; after using the shampoo, the effectiveness of external antibacterial and antiparasitic drugs increases; reduces the amount of pathogenic microflora present on the skin. Used for treatment every day or with an interval of 1-3 days; when peeling of the skin increases, apply once every 5-7 days	265
Shampoo Cytoderm	Climbazole, zinc pyrithione, aloe vera extract, malic acid	Eliminates dandruff and prevents its recurrence; eliminates dryness and irritation of the skin. Climbazole has antifungal effect; zinc pyrithione regulates the activity of the sebaceous glands and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects; aloe vera has a softening, soothing effect, relieves irritation; malic acid gently exfoliates the top layer of the skin, stimulating its renewal	from 361
Shampoo Tropiclin	Mild organic cleanser based on coconut oil; protein hydrolyzate, cucumber extract, oatmeal	Dry shampoo for cats that don't want to wash; can be used between baths. Eliminates dirt and gland secretions from skin and hair, as well as irritation and flaking. It has a nourishing and moisturizing effect. Eliminates unpleasant odors	700
Frontline Spot it	Fipronil	Insectoacaricide, eliminates fleas, lice, heyletiella, lice, ticks, including the causative agent of otodectic mange	335 per pipette
Retinoic ointment	Isotretinoin	Eliminates excess sebum production; normalizes regenerative processes in the skin. Not for pregnant women - causes fetal deformities even with topical application	from 230
Sinulox	Amoxicillin, clavulanic acid	Broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. It is impossible during pregnancy	from 192 (tablets 50 mg No. 10)
Itraconazole	Itraconazole	Antifungal drug. It is impossible during pregnancy	from 219
Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet	Wild anchovy and sardine fat	Food supplement containing polyunsaturated fatty acids necessary for the normal functioning of the skin, joints, heart; improve the coat. It is used for dry seborrhea	2150

The use of traditional medicine

Dandruff drug therapy can be supplemented with the use of traditional medicine:

• For rinsing cats use herbal infusions:

  • burdock - healing and antipruritic action, has a calming effect;
  • calendula - has antiseptic and healing properties;
  • nettle - regulates the activity of the sebaceous glands, promotes healing, increases skin elasticity;
  • mother and stepmothers - anti-inflammatory effect, cleanses the pores of the skin, regulates the activity of the sebaceous glands;
  • calamus root (must be grated) - anti-inflammatory, wound healing agent.

• Preparation of infusion:

  1. Pour 100 g of dry or 600 g of fresh raw materials with 2 liters of water.
  2. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
  3. Insist for an hour.
  4. Filter, add water to the required volume.

Rinsing with mother-and-stepmother infusion helps to normalize the separation of sebum and eliminate dandruff

Preventing dandruff

Preventive measures for dandruff occurrence include:

• complete and balanced feeding; when feeding with natural products, fish oil and vitamin and mineral complexes are added to the cat's diet; if the cat eats ready-made premium food, then their composition is completely balanced and the introduction of feed additives is performed only by a veterinarian for medical reasons;
• the constant presence of drinking water in the cat, dehydration causes dry skin and dandruff;
• using quality cat care products;
• identification and treatment of chronic diseases;
• timely treatment of allergic reactions;
• normalization of the weight of a cat with obesity;
• timely treatment of the cat's hair with preparations for fleas and ticks;

• proper grooming of your cat's hair:

  • daily brushing of wool;
  • bathing a cat once every 2–4 months, hairless cats are bathed every 7–10 days;
  • using a soft brush with natural bristles to exfoliate the keratinized plates of the epidermis;
  • using only pet shampoos when caring for a cat;

• if possible, control the impact of external factors on the pet:

  • do not allow it to be in direct sunlight for a long time;
  • sleep next to heating appliances;
  • use a humidifier in the apartment during the heating season;
• limit contact of cats with stray animals to prevent infection by fungi and external parasites.

Daily brushing improves skin and coat condition and prevents dandruff

Is seborrhea in a cat dangerous for humans

By itself, seborrhea and dandruff in a cat are not dangerous for humans, but, given in most cases the secondary nature of seborrhea, which caused its disease, for example, ringworm, is a danger. Therefore, in all cases of dandruff detection in a pet, you should find out its cause, contacting your veterinarian.

Veterinarian recommendations

Dandruff in cats is a consequence of seborrhea, which, in turn, is secondary in most cases and is a symptom of a general disease. Therefore, in all cases of dandruff occurrence, it is necessary to find out its cause. Oily seborrhea is often complicated by purulent dermatitis and eczema, and requires antibiotic therapy. Ringworm, a disease that humans and other animals can get from cats, is also common with dandruff. Dandruff treatment is effective when, together with measures aimed at eliminating dandruff, therapy is carried out and the disease that caused it.