2007-01-15 15:32:17 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
I'm not an expert on the topic, but my Poppy had bad dandruff, so I researched it a little bit.
I tried some products that you applied directly onto their fur. Didn't work. Nor did the product that I added to her food - she wouldn't eat it. I think there are other oily supplements you can try, but I never got that far.
To control her weight, I switched her to a good quality canned food. In a couple of weeks, I noticed that her dandruff was GONE!
This is due to the fact that canned food contains something like 78% moisture - it's high whatever the number is. Cats apparently don't really like drinking water, and so may not be getting enough. But by eating moist food, they ARE getting plenty, and it shows.
If you'd like to learn more about the benefits of canned food, email me. I can guarantee you it's one of the best things you'll ever do for your cat! And don't worry about the common myths that dry food is better because it cleans their teeth, etc. Not true, and I will gladly cite the sources to back up those statements.
2007-01-16 01:39:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Diet is key. We've been sold a tall tale that dry food is good for cats. If you're feeding your cat a dry kibble, make the change gradually to canned food. Look for a premium brand with the first couple ingredients a good meat source (no meat by-products) and preferably no or few grains. It may cost more, but you'll save in the long run by having a healthy cat without problems.
My cats' coats improved immensely once I switched them from a dry diet to premium canned (I use Natural Balance, Nature's Variety Prairier and Merrick) to now half raw/half canned.
2007-01-15 15:54:11 · answer #2 · answered by kiaradaze 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a result of dry skin. Your home may be too dry for it. Get some fish oil (cod, salmon) capsules and squeeze the liquid into the cats food. Within a week or two you will be amazed at how beautiful its coat looks. You can also get an appropriate oil for this condition at the vets. I think its called Linatone or something similar if you don't want to be bother opening the capsules. It's liquid and has an eye dropper to put it into food.
2007-01-15 15:36:48 · answer #3 · answered by Violet c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, cats naturally have dander. For cats, dandruff is perfectly normal. If you give your cat a bath, it will strip the skin of its natural oils and dry it out, causing itchy, flaky skin and your cat may scratch a lot. If this is what is happening, please stop bathing your cat and see your vet. BTW, Head and Shoulders is toxic to your cat and should NEVER be used on an animal.
Many cats, like people, have food allergies to commercial cat foods. i have a cat that must eat lamb and rice Iams food. If your cat is scratching and itchy, first see your vet to eliminate the possibility of parasites like fleas, ticks and ear mites. If parasites aren't the issue, diet may be.
Try adding fish oils to your cat's food- one or two tablespoons of cod liver oil a day added to dry food usually works well to eliminate itching and excessive dryness.
Talk to your vet as well for dietary recommendations- there are many prescription foods that are very good for cats.
2007-01-15 15:55:47 · answer #4 · answered by mysterycat 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
check out this link...I asked pretty much the same thing (the link is for my question and the answers I got)...someone told me (best answer) to just wash your cat with some warm water using a cup or something...less terrifying than running water and don't have to worry about making sure that all of the shampoo is washed out...
GOOD LUCK!!!
2007-01-15 16:32:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put the cat on katz n flocken from Solid Gold.
2007-01-15 16:29:20 · answer #6 · answered by Igor B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a good shampoo with oatmeal in it. Keep water containers near heat sources to add more humidity to your home, and brush them while relaxing with a rubber tipped brushes. Massage also helps with circulation while bringing more blood to surface it reduces dander. I sometimes add olive oil, or cod liver oil to food. Look for cat food with ingredients to help too. Good luck!
2007-01-15 15:44:27 · answer #7 · answered by msmoki52 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rub her skin down with Tea Tree Oil or Nizoral... let stand 5 to 10 minutes repeat. 3x a week then 1x week for 2 months.
2007-01-15 15:36:34 · answer #8 · answered by PrettyEskimo 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
dry skin comes from diet. try a teaspeen of olive oil a couple times a week in the food.
2007-01-15 15:37:01 · answer #9 · answered by sillygoose 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Best way is to eliminate the cause. Cheap cat food??? Parasites??? Allergy??
2007-01-15 15:36:55 · answer #10 · answered by kldt7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋