My cat has TERRIBLE dandruff. She leaves a trail everywhere she goes.?

Question

We've tried bathing her (which of course she hates) - doesn't work. I feed her Iams hairball dry food because she can't keep the canned food down. She doesn't seem to itch or scratch much but her coat kind of jumps when I touch her back. My husband won't even touch her anymore to keep from stirring up the flakes. The vet didn't seem too concerned. This is not typical dandruff - it's massive. We've started calling her Snow White or Pig Pen (poor sweet kitty). Does anybody have any suggestions?

Answer 1

Though it will give her the runs for the first week, try adding 1 tsp of vegtable oil in with her dry food, the only trick with this is that if she is free-fed you will need to remove the food with the oil in it every 3 hours. Works great with dogs too, it also helps with shedding! It moisterizes the skin and coat from the inside out, where shampoos (wet, dry, foaming, clothes) work outside in, which isn't nearly as effective.

Answer 2

Try changing her food. Eliminate the chicken and the corn. She could have problems with either of these. Natural Balance has a venison and pea.

To switch to another dry food click on my name in the icon. I give directions for doing this there. I know that vets have special diets that use a protein other than chicken for cats and dogs with allergies. And I don't know if they have corn in them.

So start with the venison and pea. I don't know a brand and I think there is one with lamb and rice. It's not good for a cat to be forever on the same commercal food so switch back and forth between venison and lamb. I rotate my cats through about three different kinds of cat food. Now they are used to them all I can just open the bag and use it straight without switching slowly.

As for oil, use olive oil. Salmon oil is the best and you have to get capsules from a health foods store. You wouldn't use a whole capsule for a "meal" so with one cat this could be wasteful. I don't know, why not blow a bottle on her to see if it would help and you will figure out a way to preserve the remaining oil in one capsule.

Answer 3

Just a suggestion- I had the same problem at one time and I started my kitty on Science Diet cat food for sensitive stomachs. It 's a little more expensive-but the formula of the product never changes and it's amazing what a good diet can do for your kitty!!! Try brushing her if she will let you periodically-it stimulates the skin for natural healing.

Answer 4

Change her diet. Try a lamb and rice if they have it for cats. Or the feline maintinance. I never recomend wet food not only for their tummies but also for their teeth. Bathing her may be drying out her skin worse. Cats do have a little dandruff and if she is a dark colored cat it will be more noticeable. Some cats are just worse that others.

Answer 5

You should definitely take her to a different vet and get a complete blood and urine workup done. Dandruff can be associated with diabetes and hyperthyroidism. There is also a parasite called "walking dandruff" which should be treated if present. Lastly, it could be related to allergies, particularly food allergies. You need a vet to work with you to eliminate all possibilities. There are even veterinary dermatologists who might be helpful.

Answer 6

give you cat a bath every few weeks with a good cat shampoo and the will almost stop producind dander all togather but it may take 3-4 times to notice.

Answer 7

My cat has the exact same problem. I give him baths twice a week. And i brush him every time im watching tv or have the time

Answer 8

Get a new Vet for 2nd opinion quick, your baby needs help. Her problem is not Normal.She needs a full checkup.

Answer 9

conditioner! most types of kitty shampoo will make thier skin very dry...look for some type of conditioner for animals...call a vet and ask if its safe to use human conditioner

Answer 10

My honey had the same issue all I do is brush her daily 2x a day if she lets me lol