The Doberman Pinscher is currently the 16th most popular dog breed in the USA with the breed also being popular in Europe, Canada, and Australia so we commonly see people reaching out to ask a range of questions about keeping a pet Doberman Pinscher.
Thankfully, provided you get your doberman from a reputable breeder, the chances of you having problems with the dog are minimal compared to some of the other popular breeds like a German Shepherd.
Still, we do see a number of people reaching out each month and asking a wide range of questions about problems that they are having with their doberman.
One of the problems that we have seen people having more recently is based around doberman dandruff so we wanted to share the more common causes of doberman dandruff as well as how you are able to treat it.
Please note, what many people think is dandruff on their dog is not technically dandruff but for the purposes of this article, we are going to be referring to everything as dandruff to make it easier to understand.
On top of that, the specific situation that your doberman is in may the cause of the doberman dandruff obvious to a vet so if you do want a veterinarian to check your dog you can book a video call here.
What Causes Dandruff In Dobermans?
There are a number of different potential causes of dandruff in dobermans with some being more serious than others but for the most part, you can usually treat all of the more common causes provided that you catch the issue early enough.
Cradle Cap
Cradle cap can be suprisingly common in puppies and many people who reach out about their pet doberman having problems with dandruff as often talking about their doberman puppy.
We have a dedicated article on treating cradle cap on puppies so we won’t be going into it in any more detail as you can just read out existing article but it really is more common than most people think.
Please don’t think that you are a bad dog owner if your doberman puppy does have dandruff caused by cradle cap either. In many cases, a slight tweak to the puppies diet is all that is needed to deal with the condition.
Fleas
Fleas are one of the most common parasites that we see in dogs with doberman’s being no exception.
While they are most commonly found during the summer months, they can actually survive all year round so you need to be vigilant no matter what time of year it is.
As well as causing your dog a lot of discomforts, fleas can also lead to dandruff and an itchy scalp.
Thankfully, there are a wide range of suitable flee treatments that allow you to quickly treat the fleas on your doberman and the dandruff should be gone within around two weeks of getting rid of the fleas.
Poor Nutrition
One of the most common problems that we see in all animals, not just dogs is poor nutrition and it can cause a wide range of issues.
When it comes to dobermans, poor nutrition is one of the more common causes of dandruff with a lot of people not realizing how important diet is for dogs.
Dogs, in general, need a diet that is high in proteins and fats with moderate levels of carbs. The specific proportions will depend on the age and breed of your dog but that is the basic idea.
If you are feeding your doberman a diet that is not suitable for their needs then it can lead to all sorts of problems including dandruff.
A good quality dry food is usually the best option for most dobermans but it is always worth speaking to a vet before making any big changes to your dog’s diet.
Allergies
Like humans, dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things and it is one of the more common causes of dandruff that we see.
There are a number of different allergies that your doberman could have with the most common being environmental allergies, food allergies, and seasonal allergies.
Environmental allergies are usually caused by things like pollen, dust, and mold whereas food allergies are caused by things like chicken, beef, wheat, and soya.
Seasonal allergies are usually caused by things like pollen and they tend to be more common in the spring and summer months.
The good news is that there are a number of different ways to treat allergies in dogs with the most common being antihistamines and steroids.
If you think that your doberman may be allergic to something then it is always best to speak to a vet as they will be able to help you identify the allergy and come up with a suitable treatment plan.
Unsuitable Shampoo
Although it is up for debate, you should usually not use a shampoo or conditioner product that has been designed for humans on your dogs.
Unfortunately, many people do and this can cause problems with irritants coming into contact with your dog’s skin.
Over time, this can cause dandruff in your dog and result in a wide range of different problems.
More often than not, simply switching to a doggy shampoo is enough to deal with this cause of doberman dandruff.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is one of the most common problems that we see in dogs and it can be caused by a number of different things.
One thing that can actually cause issues with dry skin in dogs is due to the dog rolling in fox poop while out on its walk with this being more common than most people think.
With foxes coming further and further into cities these days, even city dogs can do this too.
There is a large amount of crossover with dry skin in your doberman and dandruff in your doberman though so other things featured in our list can often cause dry skin for a week or two before it develops into full blown doberman dandruff.
A Yeast Infection
Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin and they can cause a wide range of different problems including itchiness, redness, and of course dandruff.
If you think that your doberman may have a yeast infection then it is always best to speak to a vet as they will be able to prescribe the appropriate treatment.
There are a number of over the counter yeast treatments that can work in some situations, some of them are slow to act so if the yeast infection has had time to develop on your doberman then you may want a specialist treatment.
Once the yeast infection has been treat, the dandruff in your doberman should clear up in one or two weeks depending on how bad the infection actually was.
Other Types Of Fungus
There are a number of other types of fungus that can cause dandruff in your doberman and they are often more difficult to treat than a yeast infection.
Without seeing specific photographs of the fungus on your pet doberman then it really could be anything.
Pollen
Although rare, pollen can irritate the skin of your dog and cause dandruff.
This is rare and often overlooked due to how rare it actually is too but if your doberman has been exposed to high pollen counts for a couple of weeks then it may irritate their skin and cause dandruff.
Thankfully, this can be easy to treat with standard medication or supplements that most pet stores will usually have available.
Dander
Dander is a type of protein that is found in the skin cells of mammals and it can cause allergies in some people.
This isn’t something that is commonly known but it can actually cause dandruff in your doberman if they are allergic to it.
If you think that this may be the case then it is always best to speak to a vet as they will be able to test your dog for allergies and come up with a suitable treatment plan.
Summary Of The Causes Of Doberman Dandruff!
- Cradle Cap
- Fleas
- Poor Nutrition
- Allergies
- Unsuitable Shampoo
- Dry Skin
- A Yeast Infection
- Other Types Of Fungus
- Pollen
- Dander
What Treats Dandruff In Dobermans?
Some causes of doberman dandruff require specific treatments to that particular cause.
That said though, there are a number of generic things that you are able to do to help reduce the chance of your pet doberman having problems with dandruff.
Regular Brushing
One of the best things that you can do to help your doberman is to brush them on a regular basis.
This helps to remove any dead skin cells, dirt, and other things from their coat which will help to keep their skin healthy.
There are a wide range of different brushes available on the market and it is important that you find one that is suitable for your dog’s coat.
If you are unsure which brush to get then it is always best to speak to a vet or groomer as they will be able to advise you on the best type of brush for your pet doberman.
A Good Diet
Another thing that you can do to help your pet doberman is to make sure that they are on a good diet.
A well balanced and nutritional diet will help to keep their skin healthy and it will also help to reduce the chances of them developing any health problems in the future.
There are a number of different types of food available on the market and it is important that you find one that is suitable for your dog’s needs.
Regular Bathing
Another thing that you can do to help your pet doberman is to make sure that you are bathing them on a regular basis.
This helps to remove any dirt, dead skin cells, and other things from their coat which will help to keep their skin healthy.
There are a wide range of different shampoos available on the market and it is important that you find one that is suitable for your dog’s coat.
If you are unsure which shampoo to get then it is always best to speak to a vet or groomer as they will be able to advise you on the best type of shampoo for your pet doberman.
Supplimenting Omega 3
You are also able to help your pet doberman by giving them supplements of omega 3 and 6.
These are essential fatty acids that help to keep the skin healthy and they can be found in a number of different foods.
Over time with consistent supplimentation, this can help to treat doberman dandruff but some popular dog food mixes will have Omega 3 in them already so check if your dobermans food already contains this to help keep your costs down.
Suppliment Vitamin E
Another supplement that you are able to give your pet doberman is vitamin E.
This helps to keep the skin healthy and it can also help to reduce the chances of them developing any health problems in the future.
Vitamin E can be found in a number of different foods and it is important that you find one that is suitable for your dog’s needs.
Please dont use vitamin E supplements designed for himan use with your doberman as they are often unsuitable and contain far too much vitamin E for a dog.
Use Moisturising Lotion
If your pet doberman has a problem with dry skin then you may want to consider using a doggy moisturizing lotion on their coat.
This will help to keep their skin hydrated and it will also help to reduce the chances of them developing any health problems in the future.
There are a wide range of different moisturizing lotions available on the market and it is important that you find one that is suitable for your dog’s needs.
If you are unsure which moisturizing lotion to get then it is always best to speak to a vet or groomer as they will be able to advise you on the best type of moisturizing lotion for your pet doberman.
Use a Humidifier
If your home is particularly dry then you may want to consider using a humidifier.
This will help to add moisture to the air and it will also help to reduce the chances of your pet doberman developing any health problems in the future.
There are a wide range of different humidifiers available on the market and it is important that you find one that is suitable for your needs.
If you are unsure which humidifier to get then it is always best to speak to a vet or groomer as they will be able to advise you on the best type of humidifier for your pet doberman.
