When It’s More Than Dandruff: Understanding Ichthyosis in Dogs

When someone notices flakes on their dog’s coat, food is often one of the first things they question. Is something missing? Should they add an oil? Would a different diet help?

Those are reasonable questions. But persistent scaling does not automatically mean the food is wrong. Sometimes the problem involves how the skin develops and functions.

One possible cause is a condition called ichthyosis.

What is ichthyosis?

Ichthyosis is a group of skin disorders that affect the normal formation and shedding of the skin’s outer layer. In dogs, recognized forms are associated with inherited genetic changes.

Affected dogs can develop persistent scales, ranging from fine flakes to larger pieces that cling to the skin or coat. Some forms also cause thickening of the paw pads and discomfort.

The appearance and severity vary. A mildly affected dog may have mostly cosmetic changes, while another may need more involved care.

Inherited ichthyosis is not contagious, and it is not caused by poor grooming or an owner choosing the wrong food.

Which dogs can develop it?

Golden Retrievers are one of the best-known examples, but ichthyosis has been described in several breeds. Identified genetic variants differ among breeds, including Golden Retrievers, American Bulldogs, Jack Russell Terriers, Great Danes, German Shepherds, and Shar Pei.

That matters because ichthyosis is not one identical condition in every dog. The breed, clinical signs, and specific form can influence the evaluation and care plan.

Flakes alone do not tell us the cause

Persistent scaling deserves attention, but it does not confirm ichthyosis. Other skin conditions can also cause flakes, redness, hair loss, odor, or itching.

If your dog’s skin does not improve with ordinary care, or the problem keeps returning, have your veterinarian examine it. Pain, sores, marked redness, odor, or substantial itching are additional reasons to arrange an evaluation.

A veterinarian may recommend a skin biopsy or, when an appropriate test is available, genetic testing. Other testing may be needed to investigate conditions that look similar or infections that occur alongside the scaling.

Knowing what is actually happening is more useful than repeatedly changing foods and shampoos.

What can help?

There is no established cure for inherited ichthyosis, but appropriate care can help manage scaling and improve comfort.

Veterinary guidance commonly includes topical treatments that help loosen excess scale and retain moisture. The choice of shampoo, conditioner, or other product should fit the dog’s skin and the form of the disorder.

If a secondary skin infection develops, it needs its own treatment. Bathing alone may not address the entire problem.

Ask your veterinarian which products to use, how often to use them, and what changes should prompt a follow-up visit. A routine that works for one dog may not be appropriate for another.

Where nutrition fits

Skin needs adequate protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to function normally. An appropriate complete and balanced diet provides that nutritional foundation.

However, supporting normal skin function is different from correcting an inherited skin disorder.

We should not assume that a minimally processed diet, a higher protein percentage, or a particular supplement will improve ichthyosis simply because it sounds beneficial for skin.

Before adding anything, review the entire feeding routine. That includes the main food, treats, toppers, oils, and supplements. Adding more zinc, copper, or vitamins without knowing what the dog already receives can create unnecessary excess.

If your veterinarian recommends a nutritional addition, ask what it is intended to accomplish, how much to give, and how you will judge whether it helps.

I want every addition to the bowl to have a reason. A “skin and coat” claim on the package does not establish that a product has been shown to help dogs with ichthyosis.

Keep expectations realistic

Management may take ongoing care and adjustments. The goal is to reduce troublesome scaling, maintain comfort, and address complications when they arise.

Take a few dated photographs and note changes in scaling, redness, odor, itching, or comfort. Those observations can help your veterinarian assess the response.

Follow the care plan consistently and discuss proposed changes before adding several new products. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to tell what helped or what caused irritation.

My advice

If your dog has persistent flakes, start by finding out why. Do not assume it is a nutritional deficiency, and do not feel that you caused it.

As a Certified Canine and Feline Nutritionist, I can help review the feeding routine and explain nutritional considerations. Your veterinarian diagnoses the skin condition and directs treatment.

Good nutrition belongs in the plan. So do an accurate diagnosis, appropriate skin care, and honest expectations about what each part can accomplish.

Feed with purpose, not guesswork.

Sources and further reading

Merck Veterinary Manual.

Hyperplastic and Seborrheic Syndromes in Animals
.
Reviewed February 2025.

Canine ichthyosis and related disorders of cornification in small animals
.
Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2013.

Merck Veterinary Manual.

Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals
.

This article provides general education and does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Persistent scaling, skin discomfort, or suspected infection should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

© 2026 Purrs McBarkin’, LLC. All rights reserved.