Why is my cat's fur not shiny? How does a cat's diet affect its fur and skin? Worms: dull and sticky fur will not take long to appear
cat hair pleasing to the eye and pleasant to the touch. There can be up to 130,000 hairs per square inch of wool. These hairs perform several functions: they serve as a “sensor” for the animal, protect against cold and rain, and even help the body produce important nutrients (for example, vitamin D).
Why isn't your cat's fur shiny?
There are many factors that can cause the coat to fade and the skin to become dry and flaky. Let's look at a few basic ones.
Poor nutrition . Maintaining a healthy coat and skin requires a high-quality cat food with the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. If your pet consumes difficult-to-digest, low-quality food, it will lack vital minerals and vitamins.
Weight problems. There are estimates that 57% of cats in the United States are obese. Fat cats have difficulty cleaning certain areas of their body (that they cannot reach). This can result in a dull, unkempt coat.
Age. Aging cats become less flexible and may develop arthritis. They can no longer squirm the way they used to, says Arnold Plotnick, a veterinarian in New York City. As in the previous case, age or pain may make it difficult to clean certain areas of the body.
Too much frequent bathing . In an attempt to get rid of fleas (or prevent their appearance), many owners bathe their pets. If you do this too often, the animal may develop problems with its fur.
Bringing back shine to wool
Here's what you can do...
Improve the quality of your diet. The condition of the skin and coat is a reflection of the condition of the body, says Susan Wynn, veterinary nutritionist and co-author of the Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine. If the fur becomes dull or the skin becomes dry, first of all, you need to pay attention to what the cat is eating, advises Vin.
Cat food should contain more protein compared to dog milk. To maintain body health and shiny wool need fats and complex carbohydrates. If the diet does not contain enough fat or consists of low-quality products, this will almost certainly lead to problems with the coat, says Arnold Plotnik.
Both veterinarians recommend starting with switching to a premium food. In addition, in pursuit of the shine of your cat's fur, you can try various feedings with fatty acids, such as salmon oil (remember to consult your veterinarian). According to Plotnik, the first improvements will appear no earlier than 4-6 weeks.
Fight obesity. Problematic hair on the back and at the base of the tail may be a signal that the cat cannot reach there due to its fullness. Loss of flexibility is just one of the consequences of obesity. Being overweight increases your risk of developing many chronic diseases: diabetes, osteochondrosis, cancer, etc.
If your pet is obese, contact your veterinarian for a suitable diet. Don't do this yourself. Only a specialist will be able to correctly calculate the number of calories that an animal should consume every day. Cats should lose weight slowly. Losing weight too quickly can cause serious liver problems.
Help an elderly cat with cleaning its fur. Even if your pet is shiny and the diet is ideal, over time the cat may have difficulty cleaning itself, and subsequently develop problems with its fur and skin. In this case, the fate of the wool is in your hands in the literal sense of the word. Brush your older cat frequently. You can also try adding omega-3 fats to your older cat's diet (if your veterinarian approves).
Sacrifice your bath for wool. Arnold Plotnik believes that frequent baths can cause dry skin. Like most veterinarians, he recommends taking baths only if the cat is very dirty (in soot, in something greasy, sticky, etc.). Finish your bath with a conditioner designed specifically for cats.
Washing your cat to control your cat dander allergy is not advisable. The effect of taking a bath wears off after a few days. It is better to wash your hands more often, take anti-allergy medications and clean your apartment more often.
If fleas are the cause of frequent baths, consider using special medicines against fleas for cats. Do not use any products for dogs under any circumstances. If there is a serious flea infestation, your apartment may need to be treated.
The general condition of your cat's coat and skin is good indicator her health. A healthy coat should be shiny and smooth, not rough or brittle, but healthy skin should be elastic and clean, not greasy or flaking. However, although the shine and texture of the coat is influenced by its health and nutrition, regular external care keeping a cat's fur also helps keep it in good condition, clean and tangle-free, no matter what type of coat he or she has.
What types of hair do cats have?
Together with the selection of breeds, today the coat of cats varies from completely hairless Sphynxes to smooth-haired Orientals, from domestic shorthairs to longhaired cats with truly silky fur, while some cat breeds practically do not shed.
Some cats that live in cold climates, especially open spaces, have two powerful seasonal shedding per year (spring and late autumn), during which whole clumps of undercoat may fall out. However, many cats in our homes shed lightly almost all year round.
How does a cat's diet affect its fur and skin?
The skin is the largest part of the body, and skin cells change very quickly. Most pets have almost all their skin covered with hair and change it several times a year. To keep the skin and fur in healthy condition, your cat needs balanced diet, which contains easily digestible proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins, and provides the appropriate amount of calories to meet all the animal's energy needs.
If nutrients are poorly absorbed, not only will they be unavailable to meet the body's needs, they will put undue strain on the liver and kidneys, which are supposed to eliminate indigestible waste. Ideal Diet should be individual and suitable for the specific age of the cat and its health. High quality and balanced diet, as a rule, is the key to good and beautiful wool. A cat whose diet is not sufficient to meet her needs will have a dull, dry coat with increased shedding.
What role does medicine play in ensuring a cat’s healthy coat?
Many skin conditions affect shine and appearance your pet's fur. Allergic diseases skin and seborrhea cause itching and changes in normal sebum secretion, which also leads to excessive shedding or even patchy hair loss.
If your cat's skin or coat problems are caused by a medical condition, general state Both the pet's coat and skin often improve dramatically after the disease has been treated or brought under control.
How important is regular grooming to ensure a cat's healthy coat and skin?
Daily brushing also reduces the amount of hair your cat may ingest while grooming itself. Another benefit of brushing your cat daily is the dramatic reduction in the amount of hair and dander that can be scattered throughout the house. For some people with mild cat allergies, daily brushing can reduce the allergens enough that they can comfortably share their home with such a cat.
Regardless of coat type, you should check your cat every day for mats, which may form behind the ears, in the groin, or in the armpits. If you check your cat's fur and skin regularly, you will also have a better chance of spotting any lumps, lumps, or tumors on her body early.
How often should you bathe or wash your cat?
Most healthy adult cats are finicky and rarely need a bath. The frequency of bathing your pet may need will depend on his age, lifestyle, and any health problems. For example, an older cat with arthritis who has difficulty grooming himself may need fairly regular baths. If your cat has skin allergies, your veterinarian may prescribe a wash with medicated shampoo as an additional therapy.
Cats should only be washed with shampoos that have been specifically formulated for them, as their skin is different thickness and a different ph than human skin, so even baby shampoo may be too harsh for their skin. Since all cats lick themselves vigorously after bathing, it is extremely important to completely rinse off any detergents and shampoos to prevent your pet from swallowing them, otherwise it could lead to digestive upsets and other harm.
Why might a cat have fur problems at certain times of the year?
Some cats may suffer from skin irritation associated with low winter humidity in our homes. Other cats are allergic to tree and plant pollen - this problem is especially acute in the spring. And another group of cats are allergic to fleas or other insects, where even one bite can cause a rash and hair loss.
If you bathe or groom your cat and she quickly develops fur or skin problems again, you should take her to veterinary clinic for examination. Sometimes skin problems such as rashes, itching, a large number of dandruff, increased shedding, oily coat or bad smell may indicate serious illness. In many cases, the disease can be easily diagnosed and treated, but sometimes diagnostic problems arise and you may need to see a dermatologist.
The main takeaway is that the appearance of your cat's fur and skin are the first indicators possible problems with her health. A healthy animal does not shed excessively, and there should be no dandruff or oiliness on the top layer of fur.
A cat’s healthy and fluffy coat is an indicator of its health and a source of pride for its owner. It is no coincidence that one of the signs of good physical condition animals are called shiny and thick fur. But what to do when a cat begins to rapidly lose its hair? Should the owner sound the alarm and run to the doctor to prescribe treatment? In any case, if the owner notices abnormal hair thinning in his pet, he should carefully monitor the behavior and general health of the animal. Hair loss in cats(or alopecia scientifically) may be one of the symptoms terrible diseases, or maybe a banal molt.
Causes of hair loss in cats
The main causes of hair loss in cats:- Seasonal shedding. Molting is how nature arranges it, that in spring and autumn periods cats change their coats in accordance with the upcoming heat or cold weather. During this period, the animal behaves as usual, does not look sick, and its appetite is normal. By the way, when molting an animal does not become bald, it simply loses its old coat and acquires a new one in return. The owner should not worry if the shedding continues for a long time (sometimes up to 3 months), there may be reasons for this, for example, the cat lives in an overly suffocating and poorly ventilated room. However, it will not be superfluous to maintain a comfortable temperature in the house for the animal, as well as to maintain the body in the off-season.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. A cat carrying kittens often loses hair because its body is completely rebuilt, giving away the lion's share of vitamins and nutrients from the mother to her cubs. As a rule, after stopping feeding, the cat regains its fur, and its coat looks no worse than before. The owner should remember that pregnant and lactating cats need special nutrition and vitamin preparations.
- Stress. A cat is a sensitive and deeply vulnerable animal, so rude treatment from people, loss or change of owner, or any unusual situations can cause depression in the animal. In stressful situations, cats may lose their fur, their mood may be apathetic, and they may have no appetite. The most the best medicines in this case there will be human affection, understanding, care and time. In the most severe cases the veterinarian may prescribe special sedatives.
- Senile age cats. Older cats often experience thinning hair on the face and around the ears. This hair loss does not require drug treatment, but it makes sense to consult with a veterinarian about the nutrition of an old animal and vitamins.
- Allergic reactions. Cats, like people, can experience allergic reactions for anything: food, medicine, chemical substances and plants ( contact dermatitis), mold, dust (inhalation dermatitis), blood-sucking saliva ( flea dermatitis), sunlight(solar dermatosis). In addition to hair loss, symptoms of allergies in cats include itching, constant licking and scratching of irritated areas of the body, redness of the skin, and the possible appearance of scales and blisters on the body. For successful treatment animal, the allergen should be identified and the possibility of the cat coming into contact with it should be excluded. Often prescribed by a doctor antihistamines, special diets, immunomodulators, insecticides depending on the allergen causing painful condition animal.
- Hereditary or congenital diseases. These diseases include: seborrhea (alopecia, peeling and inflammation of the skin, unpleasant odor), hypotrichosis ( total loss wool under the age of one year) and other diseases. After medical examinations, tests and biopsies, treatment may be prescribed, if possible.
- The reaction of the cat's body to drug treatment. Sometimes the cat received chemotherapy or any other drug treatment can affect its coat: the cat’s coat becomes thinner, and the areas around the injection sites become inflamed. Sometimes hair loss may not occur immediately after treatment. Special treatment such loss, as a rule, is not required. Perhaps your doctor may prescribe vitamins or immunostimulants.
- Weakening of the cat's immune system. Any diseases stressful situations, periods of estrus may cause weakening immune system in an animal. The hair falls out, but the cat has no itching or restlessness. The owner must consult a doctor for a prescription. vitamin complexes. It is also a good idea to review the animal’s diet; under no circumstances should you feed the animal food from your table or cheap and low-quality food.
- Disruption sebaceous glands. Adenitis and hyperplasia - a violation normal functioning sebaceous glands, in which areas of the cat's skin may become excessively shiny and covered with scales, it is also possible focal baldness. Doctors prescribe antiseborrheic shampoos and retinoids for treatment.
Many owners are familiar with a similar problem: the cat’s fur on the belly seems greasy, hangs in icicles, the tail and back become greasy, and dandruff appears. Does this mean that the cat is dirty, or is it a sign of illness?
What does it look like
Oily fur looks dull and disheveled and may hang in sloppy icicles. Long hairs can roll into tangles, sometimes dandruff appears, and an oily coating or comedones (black plugs that clog pores) may be noticeable on the skin. The skin and fur in some particularly oily areas may become hyperpigmented (take on a dark or brown tint).
Often the affected area is the back and neck, behind the ears and on the collar (especially in long-haired cats with a thick “mane”), which is associated with the inaccessibility of these places for licking and is most often observed in older animals and small kittens.
Oily fur in a cat: reasons
The reasons why a cat has oily fur can be very different:
- unbalanced diet;
- young age - small kittens still do not take good care of their fur;
- old age, when it is already difficult for an animal to engage in full grooming (coat care);
- any serious illness;
- chronic diseases internal organs- liver and kidneys;
- problems with the thyroid gland;
- hyperandrogenism - excessive production of male sex hormones that stimulate the secretion of sebum, especially in the area of the tail gland (occurs not only in males, but also in castrated animals of both sexes due to problems with the adrenal glands).
As you can see from this list, the causes of oily fur in cats are very diverse. Conventionally, they can be divided into two groups: associated with the deterioration of grooming (which in turn arises due to the general feeling unwell or age) and increased sebum production with internal problems (hormonal imbalance, food intolerance, etc.).
The cat has oily fur: what to do?
Don't panic if your cat's appearance has deteriorated. Most often, the animal needs help to restore its previous appearance. Here's what you can do if your cat has oily fur:
- help your pet with grooming: comb out excess hair more often, wash with a special shampoo;
- review your pet’s diet, possibly change food;
- if care does not help, be sure to take the kitty to the veterinarian, you may have to undergo tests and scrapings;
- follow the doctor’s recommendations if any diseases have been identified;
- at greasy tail In cats, most often only castration helps.
To find out why a cat's fur looks oily, you need to carefully analyze his lifestyle, nutrition, and recent changes in behavior and diet. For example, if a pet stops taking care of itself and becomes lethargic, this may be a sign of a serious illness. If a cat becomes sloppy at the age of 20, then this is a natural age-related phenomenon, and if a young animal suddenly begins to look bad after changing food, then perhaps the diet simply did not suit him.
The sloppy appearance of an animal should concern owners not only from an aesthetic point of view; they should always remember that sometimes this sign signals serious problems with health. Therefore, you should not ignore the fact that the cat has a fat back or tail. If you have any doubts, you can contact your veterinarian.
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A cat's fur is not only soft and silky to the touch, it protects her from external influence environment, protects the skin from injury and acts as an indicator of health. Nutrition, illness and grooming affect the condition of your pet's coat and skin.
Health is in the balance
The cat's breed determines the length of its coat: whether it is short, medium, or long, as well as the texture of the coat, that is, whether it is rough, wiry, or soft to the touch. Everyone has healthy cats it shines and has no tangles.
Dull and brittle fur may indicate illness. See your veterinarian if your cat's hair breaks easily or falls out excessively, leaving bald spots. Remember: a cat should not lick its fur until bald spots appear!
Leather
Just like humans, a cat's skin is a sensory and protective organ that helps maintain body temperature. And although cats do not sweat as much as humans, a large amount blood vessels in the skin they expand to reduce body temperature or contract to retain heat.
Examine the cat's skin by gently parting the fur. Pay attention to anything that is unusual, such as swelling of the skin, rash, or discoloration. Chunks of skin, scabs, a foul odor, or skin that feels oily to the touch indicate skin diseases. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian to determine the cause.
Also, check your cat for fleas or small black spots on the skin. These spots are waste products from fleas. obvious sign that your pet is infested with fleas. Fleas make your pet suffer, so take immediate action to treat your cat and facility. The veterinarian can give you qualified advice in this case.
