What does dandruff look like in rats? - briefly
In rats, dandruff manifests as fine, white‑to‑gray flakes that separate from the skin and are most noticeable on the fur around the head, neck, and base of the tail. The flakes often coincide with dry, scaly skin and occasional hair loss.
What does dandruff look like in rats? - in detail
Rats with seborrheic skin produce dry, whitish flakes that detach easily from the fur. The particles range from fine, powder‑like dust to larger, scale‑shaped pieces up to a few millimeters in size. These flakes are most visible on the dorsal coat, especially along the back, neck, and tail base, where they accumulate as a light dusting or as clumps that cling to hair shafts.
Typical characteristics include:
- Color: translucent to off‑white; occasional yellowish tint if mixed with skin oils or debris.
- Texture: brittle, non‑sticky; crumbles under slight pressure.
- Distribution: uneven, often concentrated in areas of high grooming activity or where humidity is low.
- Odor: faint, musty scent may be present if secondary bacterial growth occurs.
In severe cases, the skin may appear reddened or irritated, and the fur can look dull due to the loss of natural oils. Microscopic examination reveals keratinized cells stacked in a lamellar pattern, similar to human dandruff but smaller in scale. The presence of these flakes indicates an imbalance in the rat’s epidermal turnover, often linked to diet, housing conditions, or parasitic infestations.