How serious is Cat Dandruff?

Cat dandruff is a lot like human dandruff, it is just the skin scaling off because it is dry. It is a bothersome disorder, but not often a serious one. It could also be indicative that there is something else wrong with the cat.

The thing that owners of cats with dandruff should be wary most of is that if the cat is scratching too much and could cause weeping and open sores that in turn could get infected.

While most treatments and medications will address the cause of the dandruff, the itching and discomfort caused by it will not go away until the cause of the dandruff is eliminated, and that could take some time.

There are also several things that you should take note of because these will make the dandruff worse:

1. Raise the humidity in the house. Dry air will aggravate the cat’s dandruff, and it is also a cause for brittle and dry hair on your cat. During this period when your cat has dandruff, and he needs grooming, do not use a blow dryer because the added heat will irritate the skin more.

2. Do not let the cat out in the heat, for the same reasons stated above. Wait until the late afte
oon to let him out, when the sun’s heat has already dissipated.

3. If the cat has not yet been de-clawed, have it done as soon as it is advisable. It will prevent him from gauging wounds on his skin when he scratches. It is better to have dandruff than have dandruff plus skin wounds.

4. Keep the cat comfortable with topical applications that will get rid of the itchiness. It will relieve his discomfort and lessen the chance that he will scratch.

These are just a few things to keep in mind about taking care of your cat when he has dandruff. If the veterinarian has prescribed medication to get rid of the cause of dandruff, make sure that you follow his instructions well to give the cat a speedy recovery. You should also ask for something that will make the cat more comfortable.

Cat dandruff may not be a serious disorder, but that doesn’t mean that it should not be addressed. Every responsible pet owner knows that anything that could cause your pet harm and discomfort has a way of getting worse if you do not address it properly.