Cat Dandruff vs. Dander: How to Spot the Difference & What It Means for Your Cat’s Skin Health

Understanding the Difference Can Help You Catch Skin Issues Early

What Is Cat Dander?

Cats have a layer of dead skin cells on the outermost layer of the epidermis, known as the stratum corneum. This layer is there to protect the underlying skin to maintain its integrity. Disruptions in the normal shedding process can cause an imbalance within this layer, leading to the manifestation of dandruff.

Dander in cats is microscopic skin flakes combined with saliva and proteins. All cats produce dander, even healthy ones. It’s a normal part of skin cell turnover. Unfortunately, dander can trigger allergies in humans.

What Is Cat Dandruff?

Believe it or not, the white flakes that you see are cat dandruff. Dander, is microscopic and normal. Dander is made of microscopic flakes of skin, mixed with proteins from saliva and sebaceous gland secretions. It’s a completely natural part of your cat’s skin renewal process. All cats produce dander—even healthy, well-groomed ones. So if you are seeing large, visible white flakes on the skin and fur, it's dandruff. These flakes typically appear on the lower back, tail or spine. Other symptoms may include itching or a dull coat. Dandruff on cats is not typically accompanied by other symptoms like excessive skin redness. Just know, dandruff is not normal and needs to be addressed. The good news is, dandruff does not cause allergies in humans. But....dander does! 

What Causes Cat Dandruff?

The condition is typically associated with underlying factors such as dry air, harsh weather conditions, inadequate nutrition, the cat is unable to groom itself properly or certain medical conditions. When the natural shedding process of dead skin cells is disrupted, it leads to an accumulation of these cells, resulting in the formation of dandruff.

Detecting Other Skin Issues in Cats

Dander in cats is easily distinguished from dandruff because it's not viable. Other skin conditions, however, are not so easy to detect, such as fungal or bacterial infections, allergies, or parasitic infestations. Accurate diagnosis is important to ensure appropriate treatment and management. Visual examination of the cat’s skin and coat, along with a thorough evaluation of other symptoms and potential underlying health issues, can aid in the diagnosis of dander. Following is a list of considerations: 

• Dry skin: Cats with dry skin are more prone to getting dandruff. If you bathe your cat, shampoo with chemically synthetic ingredients often is the cause. 
• Poor grooming habits: Cats that don’t groom themselves properly or have difficulty reaching certain areas of their body may develop skin issues.
• Allergies: Allergies to certain foods or environmental factors can cause dandruff in cats. More often than not, we at PawPurity customers often find that shampoo is the main cause of skin allergies as well as dander. 
• Parasites: External parasites like fleas or mites can irritate the skin, leading to dander.
• Underlying medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as fungal infections, bacterial infections, or hormonal imbalances, can contribute to dander in cats.
• Diet: Improper nutrition or a diet lacking essential fatty acids can lead to dry skin and dander in cats. More often than not, we really don't know what's in our cat's food. You may want to add some essential nutrients into your cat's diet such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and zinc, which are known for promoting a healthy skin and coat. PawPurity suggests speaking to your vet before changing your cat's diet. However, if you choose to go it alone, changing the diet should be a slow process of integrating the old food with the new. You don't want any surprises, like diarrhea. 
• Environmental factors: Dry or cold environments can exacerbate dandruff in cats. For example, if your cat's favorite place is near the fireplace or heater, this can easily cause dry skin. 
• Stress: Cats that are stressed or anxious may develop dandruff as a result of changes in their grooming habits or skin health.
  
• Age: Older cats may experience dandruff more frequently due to decreased oil production and changes in their skin’s elasticity. 

How to Treat Cat Dandruff: Why Biogreen Enriched Shampoo Works

"PawPurity has found that 9 times out of 10, dandruff, dry skin, dull coats and even hot spots are eliminated simply by using its Biogreen Enriched Shampoo. It balances the skin oils, exfoliates to get rid of buildup and contains 20 plants, herbs, minerals and oils that nourish the skin and coat organically. Even cats with highly sensitive skin benefit from this nourishing and conditioning shampoo."

Founder, Lisa Porter, PawPurity, Cat Grandma. 

How to Differentiate Between Cat Dandruff and Other Issues

Following, are characteristics and signs that will help you determine the cause. 

Dander:

• Flaky, white, or grayish flakes that resemble dry skin.
• Flakes are typically small and easily detachable from the cat’s fur.
• The skin beneath the flakes may appear dry or slightly red. Dry skin causes irritation and inflammation.
• Dandruff is commonly found along the back, tail, and neck areas of the cat. If your cat does not like you touching him in specific places, it's because it's a sensitive area where the dry skin is making your kitty uncomfortable.
• Dandruff on cats is not typically accompanied by other symptoms like excessive scratching or redness.

Other Skin Conditions:

• These may appear as circular patches of red, inflamed skin with scaly or crusty lesions. It can be accompanied by itching, hair loss, and an unpleasant odor.
• Cats with flea allergies may develop small, red, itchy bumps, especially around the base of the tail and along the back. Fleas or flea dirt may be visible on the fur.
• Cats with allergies may have red, inflamed, or itchy skin, often accompanied by hair loss, sores, or scabs. The condition may be seasonal or triggered by specific allergens.
• Bacterial infections can cause redness, swelling, pus-filled lesions, and a foul odor. It may be accompanied by itching, discomfort, and pain.
• Mange: Caused by mites, mange can result in intense itching, hair loss, crusted or scaly skin, and sores. It commonly affects the ears, face, and neck.

When Cat Dandruff Is a Sign of Something More Serious

If Biogreen Enriched Shampoo and changing your cat's diet doesn't resolve the issue,  visit your vet for a thorough examination and diagnostic testing provide appropriate treatment based on the specific condition. In severe cases, prescription medications such as corticosteroids or antifungal applications, may be used to address underlying causes and reduce inflammation. 

We hope this article helped you understand more about your cat's skin and how to recognize various issues. Please email us at lisa@pawpurity.com if you ever have questions about our products. We're here because we also love cats. 

PawPurity wishes you the best in getting rid of your cat's dandruff and keeping your furry family member in prime health.