Skin issues in our feline friends are not uncommon. There are a number of reasons why their coats might not look so fabulous and if in doubt we always recommend seeking veterinary advice.
Some of the main causes include:
Allergies - Cats can have food allergies just like their human. Foods typically associated with food allergies in cats include beef, fish, chicken, and dairy and your vet may recommend an elimination diet to find the culprit. Environmental factors like dust, pollen or mould are also common allergens.
Parasites - Fleas, lice and mites can all cause mild to severe skin irritation.
Hormonal Imbalances - Cats with too much or too little of certain hormones are prone to skin problems.
Infections - Bacterial infections can cause skin problems especially with injuries caused by neighbourhood quarrels.
Signs and symptoms?
Your cats skin and fur should be soft, silky and as fabulous as they are. It should be neither too dry nor too oily and have no areas of hair loss, flaking, redness or signs of irritation. Signs include:
Itching, scratching and excessive grooming
Hair loss and balding
Redness and inflammation
Lesions and scabs
Dry or flaky skin
Greasy or oily skin (and hair)
Ear issues
Can food help?
Many skin conditions can be cleared up with diet alone, even if the cause of the condition is not nutritional.
Some important nutrients that can help heal and protect your cat’s skin include:
Protein - High-quality protein provides the building blocks to repair damaged skin. Choosing food with single source proteins also allows you to eliminate certain food allergens.
Fatty Acids - A cat food containing fish oil, which is full of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, will help nourish and support the skin barrier.
Antioxidants - Vitamin E and other antioxidants are vital in helping to maintain your cat’s healthy immune system.
Combining these nutrients in a single cat food provides a convenient way to manage your cat's skin condition.
Cat Dandruff, What can I Do?
Cats can get dandruff just like us and its one of the most common cat skin condition queries. We always recommend seeking veterinary advice to determine the reason for the condition and to rule out anything more serious.
There are a few things you can do at home for keeping cat dandruff at bay:
Brushing - Regular brushing helps lift and remove excess flakey skin especially in senior cats and cats who struggle to groom themselves.
Hydration - If you don’t think your cat is hitting their daily water goal and they are eating only dry food you could consider adding wet food into their diet. Wet cat food has a higher moisture content than dry food and, therefore can be used to “top up” their daily water intake. Ever caught your furry friend drinking from the tap instead of their bowl then maybe you could consider getting a water fountain. Whilst this may seem fancy (just like the royalty behaviour our friends expect) cats have an inherent fear surrounding stationary water. In the wild stationary water such as a puddle is more likely to contain harmful bacteria than a flowing stream and therefore, moving water is preferred by many cats. So no it is not just them being difficult … well maybe.
Nutrition - Make sure you are feeding your cat a good quality food that has all the essential minerals, vitamins and fatty acids needed to maintain a healthy coat and skin. Also look out for foods that have high quality single source proteins to provide the essential amino acids to repair the skin barrier.
How Marro can help?
Here at Marro we pride ourselves with providing only the best to our deserving felines. Marro food contains:
High quality single source proteins - to provide the essential amino acids required to repair the skin. Single source allows known protein allergens to be eliminated.
Fish oil - containing essential fatty acids such as omega 3 which helps to support and nourish the skin barrier.
Golden Gravy - increases moisture content which supports skin hydration.
Essential vitamins and minerals
No nasties - which could aggravate sensitive immune systems.
Note: If your cat has been diagnosed with Dermatosis or has excessive hair loss we only advise feeding our Chicken, Turkey, Pork and Fish as they contain higher amounts of omega 3 and omega 6.
Still having problems?
Always seek further veterinary advice as they may need further support such as a prescription diet, topical ointment or further testing to determine the cause.