my black cat has dandruff!?

Question

My black kitty has a lot of nasty dandruff that looks gross! What can I give him to stop this!! Cat haters need not apply,but I know you will!

Answer 1

I am not a cat hater, I have four myself rangiong from 3 years old to about 16 years old. Skin problems can be food related. I always recommend a vet first just in case there is another problem but it is almost always food related. Our pets need quality pet food. Read the ingredients list and learn what the stuff on there is and what it does (or does not do) to/for our pets. A quick pet food 101. If the pet food contains corn/corn products or by products it is a poor quality food. Do not pay attention to advertising, they all say there food is great. Corn is a filler that can trigger skin problems. (allergies, skin problems, itching and excessive shedding) By products is anything from an animal not fit for human consumption, including cancerous tissue. Quality foods have meat as the first ingredient. California Natural, Solid Gold, Innova and Merrick are a few of the best brands available. If you want to learn more check out: http://www.sagekeep.com/petfood.htm www.api4animals.org/facts?p=359&more=1 http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoods.nsf/$$PetFoodsByRating?OpenForm

Answer 2

Bathing would make the problem worse, not better. Brushing will help, but won't cure the problem. Assuming it's truly just dry skin you're seeing, and not some other condition (perhaps check with your vet on this), then you can reduce the problem or maybe cure it completely by getting your cat properly hydrated. If you're feeding dry food, your cat isn't getting enough moisture in its diet. Even if it drinks water. Cats are meant to get moisture IN their food, and as a result don't drink as much water as they should. If you can convert your cat to a good quality canned food, any dry skin problems should improve. This was true for Poppy. She had pretty bad dandruff which cleared up after I switched her to canned only. EDIT: Oops, missed the part where you refuse to change foods. Oh well! Plan on spending lots of money at the groomer then, if you can't persuade your cat to let you bathe him. If you go this route, I wouldn't bathe more than once a month.

Answer 3

Dandruff means that the skin is trying to replace itself too fast. Usually from some irritation or deficiency. Brushing a lot will help. A big problem is not enought fatty acids in the diet. Feed a really good premium food, not generics. Try adding fatty acids to the diet. These are Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, or fish oil, that can be squeezed onto his food. Most vets or pets stores carry these. They are a very safe supplement, and will help restore the skin and make it soft and the hair coat shiny.

Answer 4

I've got 2 black cats with the same problem. I live in a very dry high desert plains part of the country, which makes the problem even worse. There are many dietary supplements (usually containing an oil) or topical (applied to the affected area) that work. Check with your local pet store or pet groomer for more information.

Answer 5

Regular grooming will sort this out. Here is the correct way to groom a cat

Grooming your cat is an essential part of keeping your pet healthy and enhancing the bond between you. Although some cats are offended by being groomed (they can do it themselves so who needs your help?) the majority enjoy the attention. It is also a good way for you to notice any changes in the health of your cat’s skin and coat.


Above all, you need to establish a routine. The sooner you start, the better. Grooming can begin as soon as a kitten is weaned; any earlier and you’ll upset the mother cat.



You’ll need comb designed for cat grooming. Generally, they are metal with the teeth not too far apart. And, depending on the type of coat your cat has, you may also need a special wire brush for proper care of the under coat of longhaired cats.


Regardless of the breed or length of hair, always comb in the direction that the hair grows. This maximizes the amount of loose hair you’ll gather, but most important, this will be most pleasing to the cat.


Try to establish a routine during a quiet, relaxing moment for the both of you. Perhaps begin with a few minutes of patting and scratching behind the ears and under the chin. This will put your cat at ease if he is the least bit tense about being combed. Then, without breaking the rhythm (so have the comb beside you when you begin to pat the cat) start combing at the back of the cat’s neck. If your cat’s hair long, or if he is a little unsure about the whole thing, keep the strokes short. If you find you’re pulling the skin because of thick hair or the development of a mat of hair, use your other hand to hold the skin, thus reducing the discomfort.


Another way to keep your cat relaxed while being combed is to use your free hand to gently massage the skin at the back of his neck. Also, talk lovingly to your cat as you groom him. Many times cats will respond by purring.


Daily combing is best for your cat’s coat and the development of a bond between you. And if your cat is resistant at first, don’t stop the daily aspect of the routine. Rather, start by combing for only a minute then increase the time each day. Or, comb his back one day, his stomach the next. Never comb a cat’s ears or face.


If your cat develops mats, be careful and gentle when removing them. Running a comb through a clump of hair is painful, so be sure to offer reassurance and keep one hand on the cat’s body to reduce pulling of the skin. If you are unable to comb through the mat, try working at it over several days, to ease the stress (for you and the cat). If that doesn’t work, you may want to cut part of the mat. It is important to not cut the whole thing because it is very easy to cut the cat’s skin. This is not only very painful to your cat it is dangerous in terms of infection. However, if you careful cut the top third of the mat, it is then easier to comb through it. But, if your cat has several mats of hair, especially under the front legs, it is best to take him to a professional groomer.


Cats generally do not need to be bathed. However, if it is necessary (skin problems, skunk odor, fleas, etc.) keep it simple. Unless you have a cat that doesn’t mind water (there are more than you’d think), use a large bowl or plastic tub that isn’t much bigger than the cat. This will make them feel a little more secure and will give you better control. Don’t use a sink sprayer or flexible shower head since it tends to frighten the cat. Wet them by pouring lukewarm water from a cup over the back to dampen the hair a bit. Never pour water on a cat’s head. Hold the cat by wrapping one arm around the back and under the belly. Put a tiny spot of shampoo on the middle of the cats back and work it up and body his body. Talking lovingly to your pet throughout. To rinse the hair, again use a cup to pour water down the cat’s body. Be sure to get all the shampoo out. To dry the cat, drape a towel over their body and rub. There’s no need to get them bone dry and never use a hair dryer. Simply get out most of the moisture. The cat will take care of the rest. In fact, it will help him or her calm down.

Answer 6

My black cat, who is 21 now, has had dandruff most of his life. It seems to get worse in the winter and better in the summer. The only things I've found that help are regular brushing (which he hates) and a small amount of canned tuna (which he loves!) (I thought the oil might help).

Good luck!

Answer 7

Have you ever heard of people using pert plus dandruff shampoo on cats to get rid of fleas? Well vets say somthing in it works like flea shampoo and its safe and cheep! I think it would work for the dandruff. I know cats hate baths but it wouldn't hurt to try. Good Luck ; )

Answer 8

You need to brush your cat more often. Brushing stimulates the skin and spreads the natural oils more evenly. You might try adding just a little bit of fish oil to his diet, but check with the vet first.

Answer 9

My fiance' works at GNC (General Nutrition Center) and has had at three customers come in and buy liquid cod liver oil. They were all told by a vet that this will work and make the cat's coat shiney and soft. Hope this helps!!!

Answer 10

first of all it is kitty dander that all cats have it just shows up more because your kitty is black...give it a bath with some kitty shampoo and once she is dry you can give her a good brushing every couple of days and this will help dont worry it is normal...