10 Best Cat Foods for Dandruff in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Buyer’s Guide: What You Need to Know About Choosing the Best Cat Food for Dandruff

What Makes a Cat Food Good for Dandruff?

So, you’ve just finished reading about our ten food recommendations and may be wondering what it is about these ten products that make them good for cats with dandruff. The key appears to be omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega3-s like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are key for proper growth and development. They also have anti-inflammatory properties in many animal species and can be used for inflammatory diseases like skin allergies, arthritis, and even cancer. Because omega 3s are fat, they can help your kitty develop a fuller and shinier coat. Omega-3s can improve the health of the hair follicles, decreasing how much hair is shed. This is especially beneficial for high-shedding cats as it means fewer hairs will be shed, equating to fewer hairballs.

If you need another reason to choose a high omega fatty acid diet for your kitty, it’s that studies show cats getting higher doses of fish oil had healthier joints and were able to get around their homes better.

What Causes Cat Dandruff?

Dandruff occurs in cats as a direct result of dry skin most of the time. Kitties can develop dry skin for a myriad of reasons, including their diets, environmental factors, or dry indoor air. However, cats with predominantly oily skin can also get dandruff, as excessive oil on the skin can cause skin cells to flake away.

However, dry skin isn’t the only culprit. Cats with arthritis or obesity may have flaky skin as both conditions can make it difficult for the cat to get rid of the dead skin cells from their fur when they groom themselves.

Cats can also develop dandruff from external parasites like ticks or demodectic mange, bacterial or fungal infections, or malnutrition. So, if your cat is suddenly looking flakier than usual, you may wish to visit their veterinarian for a wellness exam to rule out any potentially serious causes.

Can a New Diet Really Help Control Dandruff?

Switching your cat’s diet can help control their dandruff if certain factors are causing it. For example, a cat whose flaky skin is being driven by untreated arthritis or obesity likely won’t see much improvement from a change in diet alone. Your vet may recommend pain control or a weight control diet. If a bacterial or fungal infection is to blame for your cat’s dandruff, they’ll need treatment from your veterinarian to see improvements. Infections may require antibiotics or antifungals.

Additional Tips for Controlling Dandruff

Changing your cat’s food can greatly impact how much dandruff they produce. However, you can try several other remedies in conjunction with a food change to see if it helps.

Brush them daily

Brushing your cat with a slicker brush followed by a metal comb daily is an effective method for resolving dry skin problems. Slicker brushes can distribute your cat’s natural oils throughout their coat while releasing the dander and dead hair weighing down their follicles. Following up with the metal comb will remove any matting or clumps the brush can’t get.

Increase your home’s humidity

Low humidity is one of the most common causes of cat dandruff. If your indoor heating system removes moisture from the air, you and your kitty will develop dry skin. Adding a humidifier can restore lost moisture, addressing both dry skin issues.

Increase your cat’s hydration

Cats are notorious for not drinking enough water, which they require for optimal health. If you know your cat isn’t drinking enough, try adding wet food to their diet or switching out your water bowl for an electric fountain, which is supposed to help entice cats to drink more.

Talk to your vet

If your cat’s dandruff is caused by poor grooming due to arthritis or obesity, we recommend speaking with your veterinarian. They can provide recommendations on a diet to support their joints or weight loss efforts and may also make recommendations on supplements to try.

Conclusion

The best overall cat food for dandruff is Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities for its ability to address food sensitivities and promote immune system health. For owners on tight budgets, the Tiki Cat Special Function Formula provides an affordable food specially formulated to address skin problems like dandruff. Those without a strict budget to adhere to should look at Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Selected Protein PD Loaf for its ability to support the skin’s natural protective barrier, thus reducing dandruff. Finally, owners with kittens with dandruff should consider Instinct’s Original Kitten Recipe for its skin-supporting formula and focus on optimal kitten nutrition.

Dandruff can be a frustrating part of cat ownership, but it doesn’t have to be. Our reviews above should be helpful in addressing your cat’s dandruff if dietary issues cause it. We recommend speaking with your veterinarian before switching your kitty to a new food to ensure this is the right path to address your pet’s dandruff issues.

Featured Image Credit: Prystai, Shutterstock