What’s the difference between dandruff and dander?

Dander is the normal, microscopic shedding of skin cells that every cat does continuously. It’s the actual cause of cat allergies in humans, since the allergenic protein Fel d 1 is carried on dander. You can’t see individual dander particles. Dandruff is visible white flakes of skin in the coat, usually from dry skin, poor grooming, dietary issues or an underlying skin condition. Dander is universal and expected. Dandruff is a signal that something’s off, even if the cause is just dry winter air.

When to call a vet: if dandruff is year-round, comes with itching or scabs, or doesn’t improve with a humidifier and better brushing, see your vet.