Cat Shedding & Dry Skin

Cats commonly experience dry skin, especially in the winter months, and they may shed year-round. Often this is a sign of a poor diet, but sometimes there is an underlying health condition causing the problem.

  1. Dry Skin Symptoms

    • Symptoms that signal your cat is suffering from dry skin include dandruff, a dry coat, and bald patches which may reveal red, irritated skin beneath. Your cat may also lick, bite, and scratch himself from the discomfort of dry skin.

    Infection or Illness

    • Common conditions that cause dry skin are allergies--food being a common allergen--which can make your cat's skin itch, heart disease that reduces circulation and causes dandruff, and thyroid and kidney diseases that result in dry skin and an unhealthy coat.

    Shedding

    • Shedding is natural for cats and usually does not signal an underlying health problem. However, if shedding is excessive, it may be a symptom of depression, stress, allergies, or even ringworm.

    Shedding Solutions

    • Although it is impossible to prevent a cat from shedding, you can minimize the problem by brushing her daily, using treats as incentive to make it a happy experience for your cat.

    Cat Food

    • A poor diet causes skin problems. To prevent excessive shedding and dry skin long-term, and increase the overall health of your cat, feed her a healthy diet containing raw meat rather than processed cat foods that contain unhealthy fillers. Try to find food with omega-3 in it, as this promotes a healthy coat.