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Pro Hair n’ Fur Bundle

Natures Immuno, Multi Essentials, PetOmega 3 & Ouch Away Spray

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Dealing with dog and cat dandruff in cold weather

Pet Care Tips 4 min read
Photo of a German Shephard dog running and playing around in the snow to introduce the theme of dog and cat dandruff in the winter

Have you ever noticed an increase in dog and cat dandruff in the winter? These white specks in your pet’s fur are usually a side-effect of dry skin, allergies, or hormonal deficiencies. Understand how some of the changes in the home routine caused by the cold weather can lead to pet skin issues like dandruff.

Pet skin issues in the winter

In the winter, the dry and cold weather can strip a furkiddo’s natural skin moisture, resulting in flaky, dry, and crusty skin. This skin dryness, also known as dry dandruff or Seborrhea sicca, may appear as white flakes on the fur. Like most skin issues in pets, life-long changes in their diet and added nutritional support can help in the long run. 

The winter months do result in less pollen activity, but there is an increase in dusty circulation indoors.

During the changing seasons, from the summer to fall and then fall to winter, a change in the environment can also result in dog and cat dandruff in some cases. This happens mainly in pets that have environmental allergies

Our precious kitties and doggos live indoors with us, and when our heaters go on, the dust activity in the atmosphere naturally increases. Heaters can also cause a change in your fur baby’s natural skin moisture, resulting in a possible increase in dog and cat dandruff this time of the year.

Correct grooming can help address dandruff 

There are cases and times when dandruff cannot be fully avoided, but we can certainly be proactive about it. One way is to ensure a healthy and balanced diet. Another is regular grooming of our little ones, such as hair brushing, coat trimming, and baths. 

These are a few things to consider when bathing a cat or dog that is prone to skin issues or dandruff:

  • Water temperature: If the water is too hot or cold, it can further strip your fur baby’s skin and coat of vital moisture and oils. So we always recommend using lukewarm water. 
  • Bath frequency: Bathing your little one too frequently can also cause the skin and coat barrier to be stripped of vital oils and moisture. Not frequent enough baths, on the other hand, may result in the build-up of dirt, bacteria, fungus, and more. 
  • Personalized grooming routine: The truth of the matter is that each pet will require a different amount and type of grooming routine based on health status and breed. 

Consult your vet on how often you should be bathing, brushing, and caring for your little one’s healthy skin and coat. A veterinarian can also prescribe a treatment plan that includes medicated shampoos, vet-prescribed diet, topical and/or oral pharmaceuticals, and much more. 

Photo of a small white furry dog being bathed by a human to illustrate the theme of dog and cat dandruff in the winter

Being proactive about dog and cat dandruff

All-natural supplements would be a great additional aid to the vet treatment plan for a complete and balanced approach. Also, regular dusting and cleaning may be helpful. Some fur parents even find a humidifier and/or air purifier to be beneficial, especially for the winter months. 

Our NHV Pro Hair n’ Fur Bundle offers robust all-natural support for healthy skin and coats. This kit contains PetOmega 3, Natures Immuno, Multi Essentials, and Ouch Away spray. 

The Omega-3s, in the NHV PetOmega 3, have historically shown, even in us humans, to promote healthy skin. 

Our mushroom blend NHV Natures Immuno, has a variety of health benefits, including containing essential proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals – which also aid with skin and coat health. Also, this formula is great for promoting a healthy endocrine system should the dandruff be hormone related. Lastly, the mushroom extracts found in the Natures Immuno, have historically proved helpful with histamine response in case the skin outputs are allergy related. 

Our NHV Multi Essentials is packed with vital minerals and vitamins – to aid with gorgeous and healthy skin and coat – as well as possible nutrient voids. 

Lastly, our NHV Ouch Away spray is great as a topical aid for hotspots, areas experiencing dandruff clusters, skin infections, and hair loss. 

Possible causes of dog and cat dandruff

The most prevalent causes of dandruff in dogs are hormonal imbalances or allergies. So, if you suspect your little one has dandruff, we recommend a vet visit to rule out these health conditions. 

If your dog or cat’s dandruff is confirmed to be caused by an underlying hormonal or allergy disorder, making diet changes can be really helpful. For this, we recommend discussing what options are best with your local vet or our in-house vet nutritionist. Each diet plan should be unique to ensure it’s balanced and takes into consideration your little one’s unique health requirements. 


When it comes to most skin issues, patience and consistency are key! As dog or cat dandruff might take longer to resolve fully. Some furkiddos need a few months of treatment, while others need a year or so to get their coats back to their original gorgeous and healthy state! If you need guidance for your pet’s skin and coat health, please reach out to our pet experts, as we are always here to help you naturally!

Vet Assistant Setti

Vet Assistant Setti

Setti completed her Bachelor’s degree in General Sciences with a double major in biology and anthropology from Simon Fraser University in 2017. After struggling with her own dog’s misdiagnosis, Setti found her passion for helping animals and pet parents. She completed the pre-veterinary medicine program at Dalhousie University in Truro, Nova Scotia, in 2018. Setti worked as a Vet Assistant in veterinary clinics for three and a half years before joining the NHV Pet Expert team.

Published: November 23, 2022

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