What To Do For Flaky Skin On A Cat

Here'due south What Causes Your Cat'southward Dry Pare (and Dwelling Remedies to Endeavor)

A example of dry peel isn't usually serious, just it can make your cat super uncomfortable! Here's how to nix the itch.

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Just similar us, cats tin sometimes suffer from dry pare. This oft occurs during the winter, when the cold air outside and increased heating utilise within dries out the air, only information technology tin happen other times too. The good news is, occasional balmy itchiness and dandruff due to dry skin is zilch to worry near. But if your cat has persistent dry skin or is as well showing other symptoms of a peel problem or illness, she should be seen by your veterinarian.

Common Causes of a Cat'due south Dry Skin

Dry Air

Your cat's skin requires a sure corporeality of moisture to maintain its elasticity and resilience. A low-humidity environment tin cause the skin to dry out. This most often happens in the winter when the air is colder and we are turning our heat on more (forced-air heat in detail tin can really dry out out your home). Barren climates also have very low humidity.

Use a humidifier to help increase the humidity in your home to keep your cat'south peel happy. (When using a humidifier, use caution if incorporating essential oils, as they can exist dangerous for cats!)

Training Challenges

Regular grooming is an important part of your true cat's skin and coat health. If she is unable to groom commonly, the oils that her skin secretes will build upward and dead hair won't be removed. This causes greasy pilus and can lead to mats.

Obesity and arthritis are 2 of the about common reasons for a cat to not groom herself adequately. Overweight cats are physically unable to bend to reach their entire bodies, and arthritic cats may experience pain when doing then. Even young adult cats will stop grooming if they are ill and don't feel well.

Help your cat by assisting with grooming until she is able to do it on her own again. Brush your cat once a day, particularly in hard-to-reach areas like her back end, abdomen, and behind her ears. Many cats enjoy existence brushed and it is a overnice bonding action. Occasional baths may also be needed to help proceed your cat's hair and skin at its best.

man brushing catdeimagine / Getty

Credit: deimagine / Getty

Nutritional Needs

Your cat's diet plays a part in maintaining skin health. Feeding a low-quality or imbalanced diet can atomic number 82 to nutritional deficiencies that may pb to dry out skin and other health issues. Make sure that your cat'due south nutrition has an AAFCO Statement on the characterization ensuring that information technology has the correct nutrients for your true cat. If you are feeding a home-cooked nutrition, piece of work with a veterinary nutritionist to make sure that you are providing everything your cat needs.

Diets with a college fat and poly peptide content can be benign for pare wellness. Yous tin can too add a fatty acrid supplement with omega-3s and omega-6s to your cat's nutrient to help continue her skin supple and coat shiny. Be cautious when choosing a supplement, every bit supplements are not subject to the same regulations and oversight as medications. Cull a supplement that has been canonical past the National Creature Supplement Quango or is recommended by your veterinary.

Improper Bathing

Thanks to their natural grooming tendencies, virtually cats but need to be bathed on rare occasions. Bathing as well oftentimes, using a shampoo that was not formulated for cats, or using water that is likewise warm can all dry out your true cat'south pare.

For the best results, utilise an oatmeal-based shampoo that will gainsay any dryness, use water that is warm but non hot, and rinse thoroughly to remove all shampoo residue. If you lot find yourself bathing your true cat ofttimes, consult with your veterinary to make certain a more serious skin condition isn't the crusade.

Parasites and Illnesses

More than serious conditions can cause your true cat to have dry peel, including parasites like fleas and mites, ringworm, allergies, fungal and bacterial infections, over grooming (an obsessive-compulsive beliefs), hyperthyroidism, and diabetes. All of these conditions will take other symptoms nowadays in addition to dry skin.

If your true cat is experiencing moderate to severe itchiness, red inflamed skin, pustules, crusts, open up sores, chronic ear infections, hair loss, weight loss, lethargy, increased drinking and urination, or an aberrant appetite, information technology is fourth dimension to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Handling will depend on the condition(s) and symptoms present.

Domicile Remedy Treatments for Skin Dryness on Cats

Thankfully, for cases of dry skin with just mild itchiness and peel flaking, there are several treatments you can endeavor at home to help your cat experience more comfortable again.

Use a humidifier to increment the humidity in your home.
Feed your cat a high-quality, vet-recommended diet with high fat and protein levels.
Add a fatty acid supplement. Think that not all supplements are created equal, and then choose a product that has the National Fauna Supplement Council Quality Seal or is recommended by your veterinarian.
Brush your cat regularly to help distribute the oils from her pare throughout her glaze and to remove expressionless hair.
If you have to breast-stroke your cat, exist certain to use a cat-rubber product. Oatmeal shampoos are a bang-up option for soothing dry or sensitive skin.

If your cat's dry skin persists or becomes chronic, make sure to consult your cat'southward veterinarian for side by side steps toward a solution.

Source: https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/health-care/cat-conditions/cat-dry-skin

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