How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin On Cats
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 19 testimonials and 91% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 199,482 times.
Believe it or not, human beings aren’t the only animals that can suffer from dandruff. Cats can also get dried-out skin that flakes off when rubbed or petted just like people. While this is rarely a serious issue, it’s nice to know what to do when you notice that your cat has this problem .XResearch source Luckily, treatment usually just takes a few simple steps.
Home Remedies For Cats With Dandruff
By: Shanna Freeman& Dr. H. Ellen Whiteley | Updated: May 4, 2021
Those same little white flakes that sell millions of dollars of medicated shampoo to human consumers can afflict cats as well. Since a cat has hair all over his body, dandruff is easy to spot. Dandruff is actually dead, dried-out skin cells. It is usually the result of some sort of allergic dermatitis — a reaction to something that makes the cat’s skin dry, itchy or scaly. But don’t confuse dandruff — the result of abnormally dry or itchy skin — with dander. Dander refers to normal shedding of dead skin cells, combined with proteins in the cat’s saliva left on the hair and skin when the cat grooms himself.
Obviously, a cat isn’t going to be worried about anybody seeing his dandruff, but it’s still important to figure out what’s causing it and treat the problem. If left untreated, dandruff may be so uncomfortable that the cat scratches his skin raw, running the risk of getting an infection. Or the underlying cause itself can be dangerous.
Once you’re treating the cause of your cat’s dandruff, you can help him feel more comfortable while his skin clears up. Look for grooming products designed for cats with dry skin. If your cat doesn’t tolerate bathing, you can at least use a lotion or step up your brushing routine to distribute the oils in your cat’s coat. You may need to make a change in his diet or add a fatty acid supplement as well.
Home Treatments For Scabs On Your Cat
Though the long-term treatment will vary based on why your cat has scabs to begin with, there are several things you can do in the short term to help mitigate your feline friends discomfort.
The main thing to remember is that scabs are there for a reason. Picking or scrubbing them off will do more harm than good. Scabs keep germs out of wounds and help skin heal.
Treat your cats scabs as gently as you would any injury. You want to soothe skin irritation and help soften the scabs so that when they do fall off naturally, they will do so with ease.
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Home Remedies For Dry Skin On Cats
Youll rarely need medical intervention to resolve dry skin on a cats back. Once you know what to put on cats dry skin, youll often be to resolve the problem at home. You may not even need to physically interact with your cat at all.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is natures moisturizer. It can be a powerful weapon against dry skin and dandruff in cats. This oil, or vegetable or almond oil, will sink into a cats skin, providing moisture and soothing any dry, flaky skin.
Apply two tablespoons of olive oil to a bowl and massage it into your cats skin and fur. Pay particular attention to the base of the back, where the dandruff is likely to be most pronounced. After 20 minutes, rinse the oil out of the fur.
Do not use this technique any more frequently than once every two weeks. An olive oil skin treatment is effective enough to only require sporadic use. Olive oil is safe to consume, especially when extra virgin, so do not be alarmed if your cat licks its fur.
Encourage Hydration
Convincing a cat to hydrate can be challenging. Domesticated cats are descended from desert animals, so they feel perfectly comfortable living on the edge of dehydration. Whats more, cats can be fussy about their drinking water.
Alas, the longer a cat goes without drinking sufficient amounts of water, the drier its skin will become. By extension, this will lead to more unappealing dandruff. Try these techniques to convince a cat to drink:
Increased Humidity and Airflow
Weight Loss
Natural Pet Shampoo For Dogs & Cats
This one contains coconut oil, lavender and evening primrose. All of these ingredients provide a natural way to calm and moisturize irritated skin. The formula is paraben and sulfate free and provides natural deodorization of the fur. The shampoo is indicated as safe for use on sensitive skin. The product can be used on the go as the formula allows the shampoo to be applied to the fur and cleaned away with a brush and a towel no rinsing necessary.
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What Causes Dandruff In Cats
If your cat has dandruff, it can be caused by a number of different things. Dandruff is one of the symptoms of ringworm, a fungal infection where spores enters your cats skin through a bite or scratch and attack the outermost layer. Alongside dandruff, you may notice irregular or circular patches of hair loss, weak or brittle hair, and reddish patches of skin. This highly infectious disease can be treated, but its essential to visit your vet as soon as you spot any symptoms.
Your cats diet can also cause dandruff if what theyre eating is lacking in particular nutrients essential to the healthy functioning of their skin. The process of renewing their skin cells uses up to 30% of your cats daily protein intake, so any food they eat should include high quality, highly-digestible proteins than are easily absorbed into their system.
Omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids contribute to the overall health of the skin, and as they cant be synthesised by your cats body they should be a regular part of their diet. Certain vitamins, such as vitamin A, also contribute to skin health, regulating cell growth and the production of oils.
General Information And Causes Of Dandruff In Cats
Skin cells are continuously dying, shedding off and being replaced by new, healthy ones. Your cat will usually make sure their fur stays clean and dandruff-free by grooming themselves. A small amount of dandruff can be normal, but a large amount might indicate that your cat isnt able to groom themselves properly, or that they have a skin problem.
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Preventing Dry Skin On Cats
Now that you better understand the causes and symptoms of your cats dry skin, it makes the whole problem easier to get rid of. The most common causes of dry skin include allergies, poor diet, dry weather, and parasites. The obvious thing here would be preventing all those from happening.
Being a proactive cat owner is probably the best method to eliminate all these, while also ensuring your cat is healthy all around. Monitoring your cats behavior and taking action can reduce a lot of their discomfort and further health issues.
How To Prevent Cat Skin Problems
Here are some ways in which you can prevent skin problems from arising in your cat:
- Feed it healthy food: To maintain your cat’s skin healthy, start by feeding it high-quality food. For example, you can try PetCubes Wild Kangaroo Cat Food as it is made with a super formula that is best for cats with skin allergies.
- Regularly groom your cat: By assisting them to do so, you can detect skin issues faster and easier. You can also stop excessive grooming this way.
- Reduce its stress levels: Overgrooming can be caused by psychogenic skin disorders, therefore reducing stress for your cat can help. Request stress-relieving items from your veterinarian, such as cat pheromone diffusers.
- Use flea shampoo: Even with indoor cats, flea and tick preventatives are essential. You can bathe your cat with flea shampoo once every month to reduce its possibility of getting these pesky things.
- Hydrate your cat: Constantly ensure your cat has drunk enough water daily. You can increase its water intake by getting it a water fountain as cats prefer to drink from running water.
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Is Cat Dandruff A Serious Problem
This is a bothersome disorder, not often a serious one, but it does require medical attention.
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Cat dandruff is a skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, flaky skin. This is unknowingly common to most cats. Dandruff appears like white specks on the skin causing it to be dry and itchy. A lack of omega 3 fatty acid in a feline’s diet can lead to this poor state of the skin. Another cause of dandruff in cats may be caused by extreme loss of skin moisture and natural oils.
Cat dandruff is a lot like human dandruff it is the skin scaling off because it is dry. It is a bothersome disorder, but not often a serious one. It could also indicate that there is something else wrong with the cat. The thing that owners of cats with dandruff should be wary most of is that if the cat is scratching too much, that behavior could further damage the skin and cause open sores which could become infected. This is especially true with outdoor cats, where the environment is far less clean.
Cat Dandruff: 5 Simple Solutions For Your Cat’s Dry Skin
Does your cat have a bad case of dandruff? Dandruff and dry skin problems can leave your cat feeling itchy and uncomfortable, not to mention increasing the spread of dander and shedding in your home. Keep your cat happy and healthy with our top cat dandruff solutions.
My cat has dandruff, why does my cat have dandruff? As it turns out, cat dry skin and dandruff are persistent and can lead to more serious skin problems if you don’t find the cause and treat it. Your cat’s delicate skin can be affected by a variety of internal and external factors, so no one cat dander treatment will work for all cat dandruff.
While a quick wash with Head and Shoulders might work for your dandruff, treating your cat’s dandruff may require a little more effort. Find out more about what’s causing your cat’s dandruff, and how to rejuvenate her beautiful skin and coat to its former glory, natural oils, and all.
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How Do You Moisturize A Cats Skin
Now that you have determined the reason for your cats dandruff, you need a solution. What helps a cats dry skin? Never apply a human moisturizer to the skin of a cat. No matter how natural or expensive the product may be, it will aggravate the issue. Cats skin has a different PH to our own and cannot withstand products intended for humans.
Equally important is that you do not bathe your cat constantly. You may think that getting feline skin wet will hydrate it. In reality, bathing will cause more dryness.
If your cat is struggling to take care of its own grooming needs, lend a hand. Limit this to brushing and, if necessary, the application of unscented wet wipes. Turning a shower head on your cat will do more harm than good.
Brushing may not always be enough to deal with your cats dry skin and dandruff. In these instances, you will need to step up your solution. You have two options seeking professional help or taking a DIY approach.
What Are The Symptoms Of Dry Skin On Cats
The symptoms of dry skin on cats include white dandruff-like flakes appearing in their fur, and noticing your pet scratching at itchy areas. Dry skin can also result in a diminished shine to your cats fur.
They will have what looks like dandruff in their fur, notes Dr. Osborne. Your dog or cat may also be scratching themselves or have a dull-looking coat.
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How Do You Treat Dry Skin In A Cat
One of the traits people love most about cats is their soft, silky fur. Theres nothing better than coming home at the end of the day, settling down by a warm fire with a sweet kitty on your lap.
Stroking the cats soft fur can calm even the most anxious heart, but these adorable bundles of hair have skin underneath that needs more care and attention than many owners provide.
To treat dry skin in a cat, feed your cat healthy coat food, brush your cat to distribute those natural oils into the skin, and give your cat flea treatments to prevent hotspots. Dry skin doesnt go away on its own, and if left untreated, it can lead to more severe conditions and open wounds.
The rest of this article will explain what causes itchy dry skin in cats, suggest treatment options, and discuss when owners should call the vet.
Consult With Your Vet
This might not be a home remedy exactly, but it can help you determine how to best proceed and what solutions to use. If you suspect that your cat has an allergy, ask your vet for a test. They should be able to pinpoint the source of their allergies, so you can get started on a plan that works best for your cats dry skin. When in doubt, visit your veterinarian for the best advice.
Dry skin is a common concern for cat owners and their cats but most of the time it can be treated easily. So, if you love your cat, you should not let their dry skin go untreated. Home remedies for dry skin may help cats get relief, but what about preventing it from happening in the first place?
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Natural Home Remedies To Treat Scabs On Cats
Frequent and persistent scabbing on your cats body is not normal. Keep track of where the scabs appear on your cats body and schedule a visit to your veterinarian immediately once you notice them.
Treatment of the cause varies widely but is often simple to address. And once you know how to treat the cause you can start working on reducing the discomfort of your feline friend.
In this article, well go into detail on five cheap, effective home remedies to help keep your cats scabs clean and irritation-free!
Bumps Lumps Skin Tags And Tumors
There are many words for abnormal growths on the skin, and their definitions are often interchangeable.
The good news for cat owners is that, unlike dogs, cats bodies do not typically turn into skin tumor factories after a certain age. While a geriatric dog is certain to be littered with skin tags, soft fatty tumors, and warts, a cats skin is just not as prone to developing growths in the same fashion. Therefore, when you notice a growth on your cats skin, it is highly recommended to have the growth evaluated by your veterinarian.
Microscopic testing is almost always recommended. Collecting cells from the growth with a fine needle aspirate and examining them under the microscope is an important first step in deciding whether a growth is concerning or not.
Sometimes, the growth will need to be removed and sent out for a biopsy, where a pathologist will see exactly what the cause of the growth is. Then they can determine which treatments are needed, if any. In older female cats, especially, firm lumps under the skin of the belly should be examined immediately to check for mammary tumors.
Giving your veterinarian a thorough history of your pets health will be critical in getting your cats skin back to normal. Here are a few questions you should be prepared to answer when you go to your veterinarian:
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Final Thoughts On Home Remedies For Cats
These home remedies are the most natural and helpful for your cat with dry skin.
Introduce supplements and new foods gradually. Cats are highly sensitive to change.
Keep a diary so youre aware of any changes that might need attention.
Quality and consistency are key. Always choose the best products for your cats.
Need help keeping track of everything? Grab my Cat Care Binder Printable on Etsy!
Why Does My Cat Have Dandruff
There is no one cause of dandruff in cats, so finding the root cause for your cat flaky skin may require a little bit of trial and error. As we noted above, dandruff is the result of abnormal production of natural skin oils that create an environment suitable for bacteria and fungus to thrive, so rebalancing your cat’s skin pH and eliminating bacteria and fungus can help you ditch dandruff for good.
So what is causing your cat’s skin to freak out in the first place? Once you identify the cause of your cat’s dandruff, then you can treat the issues and prevent dandruff from coming back. Here are some of the most common causes of poor skin health in cats:
- Poor Quality Diet
- Bug Bites
- Illness or Disease
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