Cat Dandruff - Causes and How to Treat It.

Underlying causes that produce a build-up of dandruff

There are lots of diseases and underlying problems that can negatively affect the skin, and cat dandruff may be the first sign of an issue.

• Allergic skin disease. Cats can be allergic to environmental things (atopic dermatitis) like pollen and grass, and certain food ingredients. Some of these may be quite seasonal if things like pollen and plants are involved, so it may take a while for you to spot a pattern.
• Parasites. Fleas and certain mites can cause irritation and dandruff build-up. Some mites are contagious to humans, too, so watch out for signs on yourself or your children. One type of mite, called Cheyletiella, even resembles skin flakes, hence the name ‘walking dandruff’, because they are just about visible to the naked eye! These mites are highly contagious to humans and other animals, so see your vet and maybe your doctor if you ever spot them.
• Other medical issues, such as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, can cause the condition of the skin and coat to decline. When the body is dealing with a disease, it may need to prioritise some systems over others. The skin and coat are often the first to suffer in times like these.
• Skin infections, either bacterial or fungal, may cause dandruff. These are often secondary to other issues that are going on and weakening the skin’s immune system.
• Malnutrition. If an animal is malnourished, the skin is one of the first things to suffer.

What should you do if your cat has dandruff?

You may not need to do anything except groom your cat more and see if it improves. However, you should contact your vet if your cat:

• Seems unwell or their behaviour has changed.
• Is grooming excessively.
• Is scratching a lot or seems itchy. In cats this may also manifest as rubbing on furniture more than usual, twitching of the skin and chewing, as well as scratching and over-grooming.
• Is drinking more than usual.
• Is obese.
• Seems to be in chronic pain. Are they limp when they first get moving? Are they reluctant to jump on and off furniture like they used to? Cats are prey animals as well as predators so they are very good at hiding pain. Most cats with chronic pain will simply be less active or seem to be asleep more, rather than whine or cry like a dog might. The vast majority of older cats will have some joint disease (oesteoarthritis) so this is a common cause of pain.
• Is losing fur or has bald patches or scabs.
• Is suffering from itchy skin at the same time that you or a member of your family also has itchy skin, as some causes of dandruff in cats can be contagious to humans.

Diagnosis and treatment of cat dandruff

Your vet may want to do some tests to find out the exact cause of the dandruff. This may include skin scrapes, hair plucks and culture, and blood tests for underlying disease. They may also recommend a food elimination trial to rule out food allergies. Your vet will then recommend a treatment depending on the results. 

These could include some or all of the following:

• Parasite treatment. With modern medicine, most parasites are quite easy to treat. Your vet may also recommend treating your home if the parasites are ones that live in soft furnishings as well.
• Antibiotics, antifungals and anti-inflammatories. If your cat has a skin infection, that will need to be treated. Your vet may give you something to help with the itching and break the cycle of self-trauma from the scratching and grooming.
• Change of food to rule out a food allergy, or to see if your cat benefits from food formulated for optimal skin and coat health. These foods have high levels of omega oils and antioxidants, and just the right mineral balance for great skin health, as well as good-quality protein.
• Pain-killers or arthritis treatment if your cat has chronic pain.
• Weight reduction food and rationing for obesity. It’s important to use foods formulated for weight loss rather than just cutting rations. These foods are low in calories but still filling and help animals lose weight safely and effectively. Cutting rations of normal foods not only leaves the animals feeling hungry and more likely to steal or beg for food, but can also result in underfeeding of protein, vitamins and minerals.
• Treatment of an underlying medical issue. This will vary greatly depending on what the underlying cause is found to be.

Prevention of cat dandruff

Clearly, you can’t help it if your cat develops hyperthyroidism or kidney disease, but there are some day-to-day things that may help prevent the milder issues.

• Keep your cat slim for life. Obesity brings so many medical issues and is now viewed as a disease state in itself. Keeping your cat slim from their kitten days onwards is the surest way to keep them healthy and able to groom themselves. If you are unsure if your cat is overweight, ask your vet for a check-over.
• Parasite control. Follow your vet’s recommendation for how often to treat your cat for external parasites.
• Good quality, complete and balanced food can make a big difference to coat and skin health. If your cat is optimally nourished, their body won’t have to pick which systems to sacrifice for lack of nutrients!
• Be observant. The more you know what is normal behaviour for your cat, the sooner you will notice changes. Try to learn their daily habits – how much they groom, how active they are at what times, how much they eat and drink.

In short, a little dandruff is probably nothing to worry about, but if it continues or builds up, then a trip to your vet is always a good idea. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Cat dandruff FAQs

What are the main causes of cat dandruff?

Allergies, parasites, underlying medical issues, obesity and chronic pain are the main causes of cat dandruff.

What home remedies can I use for cat dandruff?

In general, if you think your cat needs a remedy for anything, ask your vet. Many home remedies are ineffective and you could make matters worse or delay/complicate a speedy diagnosis. 

Is cat dandruff serious?

This depends on the underlying cause. If a medical issue such as thyroid or renal disease is involved, then yes, it could be. On the other hand, it may be that your cat just needs some help grooming. 

Can food help cat dandruff?

In some circumstances, yes, very much so. If your cat is allergic to food or has atopy, specially-formulated, therapeutic foods can make a big difference and help restore their shine!

Reviewed by Dr. Karen Shenoy DVM and Dr. Emma Milne BVSc FRCVS