14 year old cat with white flakes on her back?

Question

I have a 14 year cat. She is a little overweight and cannot reach her back to wash it. Her fur there is full of knots, which we end up cutting off. Her back is full of white flakes, but in the last week it has gotten really bad. If I pick her up I get full of flakes. The rest of her fur is perfectly fine, nice and soft. Bathing her is out of the question. I don't know what to do with my kitty! Any suggestions? Thanks

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Some cats, although possibly not an elderly one, will tolerate a low volume vacuuming device, such as a hand vacuum, to help draw the dander off their skin.

Dandruff has multiple causes, ranging from too much oil, to too little. The fact that she can't groom herself properly is not helping.

Have your vet put her on a diet regiment that will help her lose weight slowly. It is very important not to try a "crash" diet, as fat cats that lose weight too fast, are prone to a disorder called hepatic lipidosis, which can be quite serious.

A non-wash shampoo will clean her fur, but will not ultimately do anything about the existing dandruff, or the underlying causes.

Answer 3

My parents have two overweight cats, and one has the same flakes that you're speaking of. its from dry skin, and not being able to groom themselves correctly. If they were able to groom themselves, they could keep their skin moisened and therefore lessen the flakes. Sometimes, as with humans, the dry skin will be worse, due to weather changes and humidity within the enviroment.

Id recommend, as one person suggested, getting cleasing wipes so that you can groom where she is unable to reach. As well, she may not beable to clean her 'female parts', so you need to make sure that you clean this area at least once a day as well.

The other, more obvious suggestion, is to get her on a diet. Monitor her food intake, do not free feed her. Ask the vet help with the best food recmondation, as well as the size of serving.

Answer 4

Your cat needs a little oil/fat in her diet and that will eliminate the flakes. Use some dry food (limit the amount of since you have a fat cat) and put some drippings from bacon or hamburger on the dry food. Your cat will love the taste and the flakes will go away.

Answer 5

Use a wet washcloth to wipe her down. As gross as it sounds, alos use it to wipe her bottom as she may not be able to clean it properly....it may get sore if stuff stays stuck on it (sorry that's gross). I had a cat with the same problem (weight). My vet put him od Hill's prescription diet w/d. It helped him safely lose a little weight. The first girl to answer above was less than helpful. Good luck.

Answer 6

the white flakes are probably pet dander or dandruff, an for the knotty fur maybe you could try brushing her with a fine pet brush.

Answer 7

She has that dreaded Scottish disease, DanDruff, get rid of the matting fur,put her on a diet and brush her every day.

Answer 8

Try using a metal comb. They make them for grooming cats to remove fleas, but I found that it also removes hair and dandruff as well.

Answer 9

Your poor cat! Its probably because she is overweight. Consult a vet for a diet plan to help her lose weight and then she wil be able to clean herself properly. i the mean time aska vet for guidance as to what you can do.
Poor cat.

Answer 10

Take her to the vet and put her on a diet.