Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog has dandruff or flaky skin. What causes it and how to treat it?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | unneutered | 17 lbs

Hi, i found something like dandruff or fungi in my dog’s fur. I am sure those are not just garbage or dust. What can I do for him? Is there any medicine for his fur and skin problems? We bathed him 2 weeks ago, since it rained and the weather still quite cool so he still hasn’t taken a bath for this week. If there is any medicine for this, please do recommend some. Thank you.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

David Darvishian

Answered By David Darvishian

Veterinarian

Published on October 13th, 2017

Hi and thanks for using PetCoach! Sorry to see and hear that Cointhee is having some skin problems. This certainly does look like dry skin or what we call seborrhea sicca. It is in an area that I would be suspicious of a flea bite allergy commonly known as flea allergy dermatitis. So first off, I would recommend that you use a very effective flea/tick product even though the weather is cooling down. It is possible that you have some immature flea stages in the indoor environment (eggs, larvae, etc). Again I am just assuming here due to the location of the trouble spot and knowing nothing of the geographical area where you live. There are other things that you can be doing to help the problem. I would not bathe too frequently. This tends to dry out the skin and strips the oils that are needed to keep the skin and hair coat healthy. So don't bathe too frequently, I would say not more than once a month or so. Do spot bathing if certain areas need to be cleaned but not full baths too frequently. Make sure you are feeding a high quality, well balanced diet since nutrition can play a role. You can certainly supplement the diet with some fish oil and skin supplements designed to aid in keeping the skin and hair coat healthy. I will post a link at the bottom and recommend some products. Dry skin can be caused by a localized bacterial infection, low thyroid problem, intestinal parasites affecting nutrition and health, external parasite problems (fleas, ticks, mites, etc), lack of adequate rinsing when bathing, aroblem persists, you should take Cointhee to your vet and let them advise you based on the history and physical exam findings. Treating the underlying cause is key and your vet can discuss how to get to that point. Possible tests could be skin scrape, fungal culture, blood tests, etc.
Here's the link for some very high quality supplements-
http://www.vrshealth.com/canine-products/?petcoach=1977951

Check out the fish oil Canine Omega Benefits and the Cutaneo TruBenefits.

Good luck
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! IT appears that Cointhee may have a seborrhea skin condition. This is usually treated with oral fish oils and medicated shampoo and conditioner from your veterinarian. You can also try Duoxo shampoo (available through online merchants) to help with this condition. Pet formulated fIsh oils (ie. from your local pet store-Petco) are helpful because they contain Vit E and also help treat for skin inflammation. The medicated shampoo will help flush out the hair follicles and remove the build up on the skin.
    It is also important to treat for any underyling conditions as well, such as Thyroid disease, skin allergies, fleas, etc. I hope this helps! Best wishes and take care.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Food & Nutrition
My dog has dry, flaky skin. What should I do? Could it be allergies?
Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Dry, flaky skin alone is not a sign of allergies. [Allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-tell-if-your-pet-has-allergies/) more often involve scratching, hair loss, skin and ear infections. Dry, flaky skin alone can be a result of diet, weather (heat being on inside) and in certain endocrine conditions (low thyroid, Cushings) or other dermatological conditions like Seborrhea. I would start with bathing with a medicated shampoo once weekly. Leave the lather on for 10 mins before rinsing. Keratolux from Virbac is an excellent product, but really [any mild shampoo](https://www.petco.com/category/dog/dog-grooming-and-bathing/dog-shampoos-conditioners-sprays/dog-shampoos/dry-skin-dog-shampoos) will do. Just be sure you rinse it well; I suggest that you rinse with warm (not hot!) water for at least 10 minutes to ensure that all of the residue is gone. I would also consider adding in Omega 3 fish oils. Choose a high quality brand that is made specifically for dogs. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My dog has flakes. What are they and how do I get rid of them?
Flakes on the skin are usually from dry skin. You can get rid of the dry skin over time by bathing him in a moisturizing shampoo weekly and brushing his coat daily. Feeding a fatty acid supplement will improve his coat from the inside out. Please make sure you are using flea prevention as scratching from fleas will often irritate the skin and cause flaking of the skin. Also feeding a good quality food for sensitive skin or a food with salmon or fish in it will add omega 3 to the diet to improve the coat. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Why does my dog have white flakes? Is it dandruff, fleas, or dry skin?
It looks like dandruff. However, if he's itchy or has any areas of skin that obviously have a rash, take him to your vet. If not, here's an article you may find helpful. https://www.petcoach.co/article/helpful-products-for-your-dogs-dry-skin/ Thanks for asking PetCoach!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog has scabby, flaky skin on his neck. Is it fleas or something else?
Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Fleas usually cause red irritated skin and hair loss. This MIGHT be from the fleas so you can monitor him for 2 weeks to see if it improves. My feeling is that is is unrelated. I would bathe him in the shampoo below weekly for 2-3 baths and leave the lather on for 10 mins before rinsing and I would add in a Omega 3 fish oil to improve skin and coat health. Fleas get really bad Aug-Oct so be diligent with your prevention. Good luck! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19121 https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21564
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My dog has yellow flaky skin. Is it dandruff? What causes and treats?
This is dandruff (seborrhea). It could be nutrition related. It could be a product you are using on him (shampoo, spray , etc). It may just be him. I would suggest you put him on a good skin supplement, make sure he is on a good dog food and use this medicated shampoo to treat seborrhea. If no improvement after a couple months then you should have him to your vet for an exam. I like this supplement: ( https://www.allivet.com/p-1803-missing-link-vet-canine.aspx ) You can use this medicated shampoo - lather, let sit on his coat for 10 minutes and then rinse. You can bathe twice a week and once the skin is looking better you can go to once a week. In between baths you can use the spray or the mousse. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-6684-douxo-seborrhea-shampoo-for-dogs-and-cats.aspx?SearchTerm=duoxo%20seborrhea+Auto ) ( https://www.allivet.com/p-6675-douxo-seborrhea-micro-emulsion-spray-for-dogs-and-cats-68-oz.aspx?SearchTerm=duoxo%20sebor+Auto ) ( https://www.allivet.com/p-6678-douxo-seborrhea-mousse-for-dogs-and-cats-68-oz.aspx?SearchTerm=duoxo%20sebor+Auto )
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog has dry, flaky skin. What vitamins or supplements should I try?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to skin allergies mostly due to the fact that it started after moving. Adding fish oil can be considered regardless to help with the dry skin. You can use the commercial kind for dogs. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My 10-year-old Golden has dandruff and dry skin. What should I do?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. You may add fish oil to her diet which may help with dry and flaky skin. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Dry Skin Dog ShampoosDog Skin & Coat SupplementsPrescription Shampoo for DogsDog Allergy Medicine & Itch ReliefDog Health & WellnessAllergy & Itch Relief Dog ShampoosAntifungal Medication for DogsPrescription Horse Skin & Coat CareAntifungal & Medicated Dog ShampoosSkin & Coat Supplements for CatsDog Medicine and PrescriptionsFlea & Tick Solutions for DogsDog Thyroid Medication & Hormone CarePrescription Allergy Medicine for DogsCat Allergy & Itch ReliefFlea & Tick Shampoos for DogsTopical Flea & Tick Treatment for DogsPrescription Flea & Tick Medicine for DogsDog Shampoos, Conditioners & SpraysOatmeal Dog Shampoos
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button