Can a cat get Dandruff? (Please Read All The Details I Give)?

Question

My cat is due to go back outside today for the first time in over 6 months since is apparently Spring.

We keep her inside when it is cold or bad weather and durring winter months

She has had her frontline flee treatment from the vet and been wormed

I have noticed as she is black that she is covered in white dandruff like flakes

She is not scratching and is her happy normal self

She has been spayed. And is about 3 years old

She has a lot of black fur and is malting quite rapidly. She is regulary groomed.

What is the prombem and what can solve it.???

Answer 1

It is very common for cats and dogs to get Dander as they call it in animals.
Using frontline helps the condition.
Dander will not affect the cat.
And the malting is just the cat losing her winter coat.
So no need to worry, its good you care so much for your pet.

Answer 2

It is called dander, it's quite common in black cats (in many cats, it's just easier to see on black) it is protein in flakes of skin. It is the cause of most people allergies to cats.

Bathing once a month in just warm water will often control it and will help remove the dead hair too. If you can get a rubber cat brush (like a curry comb) this will help remove most of it as well. You can buy shampoos and such to wash your cat in but it could make the skin drier and the problem worse so try it without shampoo first. Run the water first with an old towel in the bottom so they have something to grab onto. Have the towels to dry her off ready and right there before you start. You want to just have your cat rest in the water for a minute, it's not easy but it will soak off the flakes and remove them from the skin so that even if they're left in the fur afterwards, they should be easy to comb out.

If you're not happy to do it yourself, you could take her to a groomer.

I would also recommend an Omega Oil supplement to the diet, it helps skin and fur problems. I use a product called Megacoat.

Answer 3

I have a black cat who has this also. It is not dandruff, but dry skin. When your cat is outside she will rub itself against trees etc to scratch her back and remove the dead skin. You could rub some almond oil into her skin in the meantime to relieve the dryness. Now that she is going outside she should manage to get rid of the problem. If you are concerned that it is something more serious - take her to the vet. During the winter animals coats grow in thicker to protect them from the cold - they then shed this in the spring as they do not need it in the summer.

D.
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Answer 4

She is only malting because she is losing her winter fur, this is why they will be fine outside all through the year. I have three cats and they love there freedom, but in all honestly if its cold they know and will stay inside themselves. As for the white dandruff like flakes - is she young and was she taken away from her mother at an early age as she may not have been trained to clean herself properly and suspect it is nothing to worry about.

Answer 5

Hi,

Could have asked the same question myself 3 days ago. My black cat suddenly appeared to have white bits all over her back a few days ago. Similar to your cat (except mine is only 8 mths old and does not go outside), she does not scratch - is eating and playing as normal - no change in behaviour etc etc. Losing lots of fur (she is long haired and brushed daily), I naturally like you became concerned, so took her to the vet for a checkup.

Vet examined her and checked her skin (difficult with long fur!), said it was definitely dandruff - just like us they can get it through no apparent reason - and no other trouble or underlying cause. Expressed NOT to use any treatment like Tea Tree Oil (too volatile) or shampoo, in fact stressed that there is never any need to shampoo/wash a cat unless they have got covered in something nasty outside! Suggested I buy Evening Primrose Oil capsules, pin one end and squirt half on her wet food daily for 1 month. Instead of this I have purchased (online - cheaper) a combination of EP Oil and Fish Oil (Omega 3 & 6) in a 250,ml bottle. Used it this morning for kitty on her pilchards (loves them and tuna), and being fish oil the taste was not to her disapproval!!

Good luck and do not worry, it is quite common.

BTW The consultation (5 minutes tops) at the vet cost me £15.33 !!!

Answer 6

Baby shampoo is the answer. Its gentle and makes the skin stop flaking.

Try diluting some with water and applying it to the cat with hand. You will need to rinse of thourougly. Do this once a week and her flakes will clear up. If the cat is short haired try a different smoother brush as using long bristles can aggravate the flakes and make it worse.

Answer 7

I had a black cat that had the same problem. She is losing her winter fur and her skin is probably dry. My vet gave me some fish oil drops to put in her food every day to help her coat and skin and also to help with hairballs. I had to use a fine tooth flea comb to get all of the extra hair off daily.

Answer 8

It is prob. Pet dander. Its very common/normal. I dont know why your cat would be "mulching" though is it loosing its fur outside of normal shedding? If so see your vet for medication.
Dander consists of small scales or flakes of dead skin cells that are continually shed by all animals. Light and sticky, dander is easily transported by air currents and often becomes attached to objects or people. In the household, dander is a common element of house dust, particularly in homes where cats or dogs are present.

Answer 9

Cats can get dry, scurfy skin which leaves flaky patches in their fur. You need to get her onto a better food and add some veg oil or primrose oil, or ideally a supplement from the vets for fatty acids for the skin, as this is what she is lacking.

Answer 10

Yes! Cat can have a dandruff or skin flakes, especially if the cat getting older.