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My cat has dry, flaky skin. What's the best treatment for dandruff?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

I have a cat she's a ragdoll , she's been scratching by her ears and body and i seen white flakes in her fur ... she doesn't have fleas or ear mites i check her ears almost everyday ...i think she has dry skin i want to kno the best shampoo to use for her skin so it isnt dry and stay moist

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 4th, 2020

I suggest you use essential 6 supplement topically (it is spot-on) and an oral supplement like Wellactin.

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Cats do not take to bathing well. What you can do is use a leave on mousse that is for seborrhea (dandruff). You can use it twice a week until the dandruff decreases and then you can go to once a week.

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Maria DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 18th, 2018
It depends on the cause. If Michelle is overweight and cannot properly groom himself then that could be why. You can take a damp rag and wipe him down and then comb him. If he is not overweight then you can try switching his food to a salmon flavor food. If you do this make sure it is done gradually. If you did not want to switch his food then I would try to get fish oil for him.

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 28th, 2018
A lot of dandruff is not normal. This could be a sign of bad quality cat food and because of it a lack of vitamins and minerals, diabetes, or parasites. Make sure you feed a good quality cat food from a reputable brand. If the fur quality does not improve, ie the dandruff disappears, you should take Amora to a veterinarian for an exam.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Desrosiers
Veterinary Technician
Published on May 10th, 2019
Vitamin E and Fish Oil supplements can help improve coat health and are readily available from most pet stores, just make sure to OK their use with your vet prior to starting if Tylla is on any other supplements or medications. Regular brushing and wiping down of the coat with an aloe or soothing pet wipe can also help reduce irritation and keep the skin and coat healthy. If you are noticing any patches of hair loss, redness, or irritation/itching, a vet visit to rule out any issues such as allergies or parasites may also be helpful.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My cat has dandruff, hair loss, and bites. What topical helps?

Those spots on your kitty could be just dry skin causing itching bad enough to lose hair (do know that dry skin alone should not cause hair loss) but there are several things including fleas, allergies, skin mites, bacterial infection or endocrine disease which could also look the same way. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. That's great that you are using an omega 3 fatty acid supplement this can help improve the skin health. Make sure it is a formula for pets (better absorption) and you may need to squirt it directly in his mouth. You may also try changing his diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. Also protect the area from trauma by having your kitty wear an elizabethan collar at all times. If the skin does not start improving within 2-3 weeks or if it is getting worse, have him examined by the veterinarian to look for other causes. Unfortunately, lotions and sprays don;t tend to moisturize as well as supplements and diet. There are some moisturizing sprays and your cat will need to wear an elizabethan collar at all times because otherwise he will lick the product. Moisturizing shampoos and conditions for pets are also an option but not all cats enjoy baths and may bite and scratch their owners. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

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My cat has flaky skin on her tail. What causes it and how to treat?

Flaky skin could be a sign of allergies, some hormonal diseases like hyperthyroidism, poor nutrition or even fleas. If there is no hair loss and her skin appears normal otherwise you could ask your veterinarian about using an oral fish oil supplement to see if that helps. If there is any hair loss, red skin or scabs I would recommend having her examined by your veterinarian. Unfortunately cats tend to lick most topical products so I do not typically recommend using them. There are some 'mousses' that absorb quickly that you could try, I like this brand: https://www.amazon.com/Douxo-Seborrhea-Mousse-Dogs-Cats/dp/B009TXE0KU

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How to help my cat with dry, flaky skin and improve coat health?

Cat don't really like baths so I can suggest these things: 1. A [fish oil supplement](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/wild-alaskan-salmon-oil-cat-food-supplement) that can be mixed into their food. 2. Use a [waterless shampoo](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/tropiclean-waterless-cat-shampoo-deep-cleaning) product instead of traditional bathing. 3. Daily brushing. Brushing helps to stimulate the normal oils in the skin. Hope this help. Best wishes!

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My cat has dry skin and flakes on his back. How can I treat it?

It looks like Lil'l Striped has dry skin. Make sure he is up to date on his flea treatments, and I can give you one if he isn't up to date on them. You can also give him fished based food, which has omega 3 fatty acids that help with dry skin. There are supplements for cats available online that contain omega 3 fatty acids, and you can try supplement his diet with one of those. Dose him according to the package instructions. I would also have him seen by a vet for a health check. Dry skin in cats can be caused by medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, heart problems kidney disease, and diabetes. He should get a geriatric blood test, physical exam, and urinalysis just to make sure he is healthy. If a medical condition is found, the vet can prescribe treatment for it. I would have him seen by a vet tomorrow. Flea treatment: First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. I hope this helps :-)

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Food & Nutrition

Why does my cat have dry, flaky skin or dandruff? What's the cause?

Cats can develop scaling of their skin or dandruff for a number of reasons, which can be the result of a host of reasons. Some of these can include parasitic infections (including lice or mites), fungal infections, allergies, hormonal disorders, or nutritional imbalances, among many others. The only way to definitively diagnose the cause of dry skin is by starting with a trip to the veterinarian. After a physical exam, diagnostic testing may be needed depending on a cat’s concurrent clinical signs. These tests may include skin cytology, skin scrapes, fungal cultures or blood tests. In some cases, a simple diet change to a high quality balanced diet may remedy the problem.

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Food & Nutrition

My overweight cat has itchy skin and dandruff. What shampoo helps?

You could try a shampoo like Duoxo Calm and see if that helps. You could also add an Omega 3 fatty acid like Free Form Snip Tips for cats and see if that helps keep his skin and coat healthy. Otherwise, he should be examined by a vet to determine the cause and treat.

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Health & Wellness

What fish oil supplements are best for my cat's dry skin and dandruff?

Hmmm. Not sure the train of thought your vet was on. I commonly recommend fish oils, any fish oil supplement will work. There is no specific amount, though the biggest side effect is greasy stools. If you notice that, then you decrease the dose. It can take several months for you to see a change after starting fish oils. You can find a pet product at a pet store, or just use one from the human supplements section of a pharmacy or other store.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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