Heavy Dandruff in Cats

When cats shed, the results can be a hairy mess around your home. If there's dandruff in the mix, it gets a little more difficult to clean. Most cats groom themselves well enough that you will never see a minor dandruff problem. If the issue starts to get bigger, however, you'll need to take action to maintain your cat's health.

  1. Prevention

    • Dandruff in cats is often the result of poor nutrition. A simple change in the cat's diet can help reduce or prevent dandruff altogether. Cats should eat a high-protein, low carbohydrate diet similar to what they would eat if they were wild. Feed a premium, high-protein cat food. After consulting with your veterinarian, add fish oil to your cat's diet. Adding the oil from a can of salmon or tuna helps, too. Fish like sardines, anchovies or herring are also beneficial. This adds more moisture to your cat's skin from within by adding Omega 3 fatty acids to its diet, the Cat World website states.

    Causes

    • In addition to poor nutrition, cat dandruff can be caused by dry skin, diabetes, a parasite either external or internal, poor grooming ability and overall dry conditions, according to the Cat World website. If your cat is, for example, excessively thirsty, suspect dry skin first, then diabetes if the condition doesn't get better, the Feline Diabetes website suggests. If conditions persist, consult your veterinarian.

    Solutions

    • Medicated and herbal shampoos are a first line of defense for dandruff. Bathe your cat in lukewarm, not hot water. Hot water can cause the skin to further dry out. If your cat is older or obese and is having trouble grooming itself, grooming and bathing it may solve the issue. Dry skin can be corrected with fish oil supplementation, the addition of a humidifier to the home and replacing dry food with wet food, such as canned food.

    When to See a Vet

    • A simple shampooing sometimes doesn't do the trick. A cat with a severe flea allergy may need to see the veterinarian, even if you've already removed all of the fleas. Demodectic mange in cats isn't as common as it is in dogs, but it can occur, peteducation.com states. In addition to itchy, flaky skin, the cat may start to lose its hair. An immune disease may be present and a veterinarian should be consulted to find a medication that works. Ringworm is a fungal infection that can cause itchy, dry skin and hair loss. Your veterinarian can help you diagnose ringworm or diabetes in your cat.