Cat Dandruff

Cat dandruff is a skin condition characterized by dry itchy skin. It can be effectively treated with simple home remedies. Sometimes, this skin problem can be a warning sign of various ailments like skin allergies and diabetes. To know about cat dandruff treatment read on...
Cat Dandruff
Cat dandruff is a common skin problem and many a times a big nuisance for cat owners. A dry, flaky skin often manifests in the form of white specks of dandruff. Finding the cause of dandruff is the most important step in curing the problem. Once, it is known, the veterinarian can decide the right treatment plan to get rid of this skin infection. Dandruff is one of the serious cat health problems that requires urgent medical attention. Change in cat behavior can be distinct noticed with the onset of this skin problem. In this condition, the cat spends most of the time scratching the skin.

Cat Dandruff Treatment
A dry flaky skin often leads to dandruff. The dry skin problem of your cat can be brought under control with the help of a humidifier. Just install a humidifier in your house to moisturize the cat's skin. This will indeed help to eliminate dandruff. Frequently, brushing the coat using a soft body brush or a greyhound comb, can be a good cat dandruff remedy as it promotes blood circulation in the skin and allows the owner to remove dry skin cells.

Cat Dandruff Home Remedies
Cat dandruff cause is often linked to poor nutrition. Cheap cat food that are devoid of essential nutrients is the main cause of dandruff issues. Feeding your pet daily with high quality canned food is surely one of the best cat dandruff solutions. Canned tuna fish which is high in omega 3 fatty acids is the least expensive option to give your cat high quality food. When canned tuna is provided on a daily basis, it can clear up the dandruff within a short time. A diet deficient in omega 3 fatty acids often leads to dandruff in cats. Many veterinarians also recommend to include food supplements such as fish oil in the diet to eliminate dandruff. These dietary changes can definitely help to bring back the healthy coat of hair. Dry food can also contribute to dandruff. So make sure that the cat is getting food that has enough moisture content.

Parasitic Infection
Cats dandruff can also be traced back to parasites. Persistent dandruff is generally associated with the presence of parasites. In case the cat skin is infected with these pests, you need to consult a veterinarian to find a solution to this problem. Dry skin in cats can also result from overexposure to the sun, especially during summer. To eliminate problems caused to the damaging UV rays, ensure that your pet remains indoor, when the sun is at its peak (10 am to 4 pm).

Obesity
It is observed that dandruff in cats, generally affects the base of the tail, rump or the lower back. Cats often groom themselves to get rid of the affected part from dandruff. However, it is found that obese or overweight cats simply find it difficult to access these areas in order to clean them. As the cat cannot groom itself properly, this may cause dandruff. In such a case, the cat should be put on weight loss diet.

Cat Dandruff Shampoo
Bathing the cat too often is not recommended as it can remove the natural oils from its skin. These oils are essential to maintain the healthy skin of your cat. There are a number of shampoos available in the market, that are specially made to eliminate dandruff in cats. You can bathe your cat with this shampoo for cat dandruff control but make sure that the applied shampoo is rinsed off completely. If small amount of shampoo remains on the body after a bath, then it can cause dry skin which may aggravate the problem. Cat dandruff cure can also be achieved using tea tree oil. The healing properties of this oil allow to treat a variety of skin conditions associated with cats. Before using it, the oil must be diluted with carrier oil for safe use. For cats, the recommended dilution is a teaspoon of carrier oil mixed in 2 drops of tea tree oil. It helps to get rid of the itchy feeling and lessen the symptoms of cat dandruff. An effective cat dandruff remedy involves adding 5% dilution of tea tree oil to your cats regular shampoo, preferably a natural herbal shampoo.

These are some of the effective treatments to set the cat, free from dandruff. In most cases, adequate diet rich in nutrients such as omega 3 fatty acids, solves the skin problems.

By Nikhil Joshi
Published: 8/18/2009
 
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