MY CAT HAS EXCESSIVE DANDRUFF!

One of my cats a short haired black 5 year old has had a case of dandruff
for a very long time. The Vet once told me that it shows up when they are
at the doctor's office and are scared and nervous.

Problem is that he has it all the time. I feed him Max cat food (dry- won't
eat the wet) and I brush him at least twice a week if not more (he really
enjoys this and looks forward to it) and then I'll wet him down with a wet
towel. I tried those premoisted towellets for cats but he licks himself and
then throws up so he's too sensitive for that.
Does anyone know what could be causing this and what I can do to control it?
He's such a beauty, but the dandruff makes him look not cared for. Thanks
Denise

"FatBobRoundPants" wrote:

One of my cats a short haired black 5 year old has had a case of
dandruff for a very long time. The Vet once told me that it
shows up when they are at the doctor's office and are scared and
nervous.

It's embarrassing. More likely caused by all of the bright lights
just illuminating the problem.

Bright lights, like a bright flashlight might be useful when
examining your cat.

Problem is that he has it all the time. I feed him Max cat food
(dry- won't eat the wet) and I brush him at least twice a week
if not more (he really enjoys this and looks forward to it)

Brushing definitely helped my Kitty lose some dandruff.

If you are noticing it more lately, maybe shedding has something
to do with it. Summer is coming.

Others have more experienced opinions.

Good luck.



....

I have that trouble with my girls. Oddly Pearl's disappears now and then. I
canNOT figure out the difference from when she has it (looks all unkempt and
like an unowned stray) to when she does not! I have *heard* adding fish oil
to the diet may help. I too do a wet paper towel sometimes. It's just that
black cats show up the dander SO much more. Makes it hard to tell if they
have a lot or it's just more noticable. But Sugar used to have pretty bad
dandruff and for several months now her hair has been really good. It's
frustrating.

"FatBobRoundPants" wrote in message
...
One of my cats a short haired black 5 year old has had a case of dandruff
for a very long time. The Vet once told me that it shows up when they are
at the doctor's office and are scared and nervous.

Problem is that he has it all the time. I feed him Max cat food (dry-
won't
eat the wet) and I brush him at least twice a week if not more (he really
enjoys this and looks forward to it) and then I'll wet him down with a wet
towel. I tried those premoisted towellets for cats but he licks himself
and
then throws up so he's too sensitive for that.
Does anyone know what could be causing this and what I can do to control
it?
He's such a beauty, but the dandruff makes him look not cared for. Thanks
Denise

In article ,
enlightened us with...
One of my cats a short haired black 5 year old has had a case of dandruff
for a very long time. The Vet once told me that it shows up when they are
at the doctor's office and are scared and nervous.


Also, black cats just show flakes more. Contrast and all.

Problem is that he has it all the time. I feed him Max cat food (dry- won't
eat the wet) and I brush him at least twice a week if not more (he really
enjoys this and looks forward to it) and then I'll wet him down with a wet
towel. I tried those premoisted towellets for cats but he licks himself and
then throws up so he's too sensitive for that.
Does anyone know what could be causing this and what I can do to control it?
He's such a beauty, but the dandruff makes him look not cared for. Thanks

I assume the vet checked for real skin problems that could cause it (mites,
allergies, and so forth). So, I'll assume it's the usual -- dry skin.
Since he won't eat wet food, he needs more oils and water in his diet. Many
cats don't hydrate well with just dry cat food, so try adding a little water
to the dry (makes it softer, but not soggy) and add a little (olive or other
light vegetable) oil to either his food or water. Some cats won't drink water
with oil in it, so if he doesn't like it, put it in the food. Like a teaspoon
every 3 days or so.
You can also try skin conditioner for pets. Make sure it is for cats so it is
safe for him when he cleans himself. They sell skin conditioners at the pet
store. They even have pills you can give them with the oils in it if he
refuses more natural oils in his food and water.
Daily brushing with a slicker brush will help flake off the dry skin cells.
In the beginning, it will look even worse because it's flaking. After a
couple weeks of added water and oils and brushing, it should look a lot
better.

Other things you can try:
* a little butter daily (be careful for lactose intolerant cats! start with
just a tiny bit)
* Vaseline / petroleum jelly
* Semi-moist cat treats
* Oatmeal bath (soothes skin - make sure you get PET oatmeal bath so it's
safe)
* 15-30 minute humidifier treatments or put in bathroom, close door, and run
a hot shower so it gets all steamy in the room.

Now, if his dry skin is actually caused by something else than a lack of oils
and water, such as food allergies or an allergy to something in the
environment, some of these may be completely ineffective. If he has
allergies, you'd need to be real careful about anything you put on him or
that he ingests. So, if you suspect allergies, go slow and only try one thing
at a time in case he has a reaction.

HTH
--
--
~kaeli~
What's another word for thesaurus?
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

"FatBobRoundPants" wrote in message
...
One of my cats a short haired black 5 year old has had a case of dandruff
for a very long time. The Vet once told me that it shows up when they are
at the doctor's office and are scared and nervous.

Problem is that he has it all the time. I feed him Max cat food (dry-
won't
eat the wet) and I brush him at least twice a week if not more (he really
enjoys this and looks forward to it) and then I'll wet him down with a wet
towel. I tried those premoisted towellets for cats but he licks himself
and
then throws up so he's too sensitive for that.
Does anyone know what could be causing this and what I can do to control
it?
He's such a beauty, but the dandruff makes him look not cared for. Thanks
Denise



My black cat's dandruff was much worse before I began treating her
for an overactive thyroid. Maybe get his checked.

My vet says it's usually an Omega 3 deficiency in cats. You can add fish
oil (I have purchased capsules and squirted it onto their food,) or buy
food that has more Omega 3 than Max Cat.

Good luck,

Rhonda

FatBobRoundPants wrote:

One of my cats a short haired black 5 year old has had a case of dandruff
for a very long time. The Vet once told me that it shows up when they are
at the doctor's office and are scared and nervous.

Problem is that he has it all the time. I feed him Max cat food (dry- won't
eat the wet) and I brush him at least twice a week if not more (he really
enjoys this and looks forward to it) and then I'll wet him down with a wet
towel. I tried those premoisted towellets for cats but he licks himself and
then throws up so he's too sensitive for that.
Does anyone know what could be causing this and what I can do to control it?
He's such a beauty, but the dandruff makes him look not cared for. Thanks
Denise

Thank you all so much, they all sound like good advice and I can't wait to
get started. While I'm asking anyway, do any of you know of a dry food that
contains more fish oils than Max Cat food? In the mean time I'll go to the
pet store to find some that I can add for him. Thanx again. Denise
"kaeli" wrote in message
...
In article ,
enlightened us with...
One of my cats a short haired black 5 year old has had a case of
dandruff
for a very long time. The Vet once told me that it shows up when they
are
at the doctor's office and are scared and nervous.


Also, black cats just show flakes more. Contrast and all.

Problem is that he has it all the time. I feed him Max cat food (dry-
won't
eat the wet) and I brush him at least twice a week if not more (he
really
enjoys this and looks forward to it) and then I'll wet him down with a
wet
towel. I tried those premoisted towellets for cats but he licks himself
and
then throws up so he's too sensitive for that.
Does anyone know what could be causing this and what I can do to control
it?
He's such a beauty, but the dandruff makes him look not cared for.
Thanks

I assume the vet checked for real skin problems that could cause it
(mites,
allergies, and so forth). So, I'll assume it's the usual -- dry skin.
Since he won't eat wet food, he needs more oils and water in his diet.
Many
cats don't hydrate well with just dry cat food, so try adding a little
water
to the dry (makes it softer, but not soggy) and add a little (olive or
other
light vegetable) oil to either his food or water. Some cats won't drink
water
with oil in it, so if he doesn't like it, put it in the food. Like a
teaspoon
every 3 days or so.
You can also try skin conditioner for pets. Make sure it is for cats so it
is
safe for him when he cleans himself. They sell skin conditioners at the
pet
store. They even have pills you can give them with the oils in it if he
refuses more natural oils in his food and water.
Daily brushing with a slicker brush will help flake off the dry skin
cells.
In the beginning, it will look even worse because it's flaking. After a
couple weeks of added water and oils and brushing, it should look a lot
better.

Other things you can try:
* a little butter daily (be careful for lactose intolerant cats! start
with
just a tiny bit)
* Vaseline / petroleum jelly
* Semi-moist cat treats
* Oatmeal bath (soothes skin - make sure you get PET oatmeal bath so it's
safe)
* 15-30 minute humidifier treatments or put in bathroom, close door, and
run
a hot shower so it gets all steamy in the room.

Now, if his dry skin is actually caused by something else than a lack of
oils
and water, such as food allergies or an allergy to something in the
environment, some of these may be completely ineffective. If he has
allergies, you'd need to be real careful about anything you put on him or
that he ingests. So, if you suspect allergies, go slow and only try one
thing
at a time in case he has a reaction.

HTH
--
--
~kaeli~
What's another word for thesaurus?
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace