Cats With Dandruff and Dry Skin

Maintain your cat's healthy skin.

Diagnosing a cat with dry skin and dandruff is important since these skin problems are often symptoms of other, more serious problems. In order to ultimately cure your cat's dry skin, the underlying problems must be identified, solved and prevented. Consult a veterinarian to narrow down possible problems and cures.

Symptoms

Aside from being dry, your cat's dry skin will also be flaky and dull. Additionally, its coat may also be dry and dull. Dandruff is a common sign of dry skin. Your cat may lick, scratch and bite at her dry skin, leaving red patches or bald spots. Crusty skin or excessive scratching could be a sign of infection.

Conditions

Conditions that are referred to as dry skin in cats include scale, seborrhea sicca, epidermal collarette, exfoliation, hyperkeratosis, comedone and follicular cast. Scale has the same appearance as dandruff and is caused by an abnormality in keratin production. Keratin is present in skin, hair and nails. Seborrhea sicca will cause dry, scaly skin. Epidermal collarette is identified by circular dry patches and is caused by a staphylococcal pyoderma infection. Exfoliation means that the cat is shedding more than a normal amount of skin. Hyperkeratosis is when the cat's skin thickens. Comedone is a condition where the base of the cat's hair follicle has a problem resulting from trouble in the cat's endocrine system. A follicular cast creates a dry area at the base of each hair, pointing to a problem with keratin.

Nutrition and Grooming

Poor nutrition can cause dry skin in cats. Cats must ingest fatty acids and vitamin E to maintain healthy skin. Several commercial cat foods contain these ingredients. Restrain from feeding your cat regular human food. You can also give your cat an Omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Bathing your cat too often can dry out their skin as well. If your cat's coat appears clean and doesn't have a bad odor, it's not necessary to bathe her. Regular brushing will help your cat's coat stay clean and aid natural oil production, preventing dry skin.

Treatment

Medical conditions can be treated with dietary supplements, oral medications or shampoos. Seborrhea sicca, for example, can be treated with cat shampoo containing sulfur or salicylic acid. There are also all-natural alternatives. To aid and prevent dry skin, bathe your cat with a colloidal oatmeal shampoo specifically designed for cats.

Natural Cures

Particular herbal remedies can help keep your cat's skin healthy. Look for products containing the following ingredients: equisetum arvense or horsetail; taraxacum officinalis or dandelion; arthrospira platenis or spirulina; focus vesiculosis; or kalium sulphate.

References

• The Cat Health Guide: Dry Skin Cat