Kitty dandruff? If you’ve had a cat for long enough, you know the irritable frequency with which this problem occurs. Many pet owners give in to this confusion and wave dandruff off as something that’s “usual” over time. On the other hand, dandruff won’t ignore your cat and keeps piling up, eventually causing significant hygiene and skin issues for your cat. Alarmed?, Well, you should read on because here is all there is to know about cat dandruff and ways to get rid of it.
Why Does My Cat Have Dandruff?
Feline dandruff doesn’t have a single reason or a single trigger point. It is a compounded consequence of the various environments your cat exposes itself to and the nutrients available in the food it consumes. Ever wondered why do cats get dandruff? here are the reasons behind it.
#1 Lack of Omega 3 Fatty Acid
Is cat dandruff normal? One of the leading causes is the lack of omega 3 fatty acids in your cat’s diet. The absence of Omega 3 fatty acid will make your cat’s skin dry and flaky and causes cat dandruff. Omega 3 fatty acid is a vital nutrient that should be included in appropriate proportions (which can be determined by a visit to the vet) in your cat’s diet to ensure that the skin stays smooth, fresh, and dandruff free.
#2 Extreme Loss of Skin Moisture and Natural Oil
Cat dandruff can also be caused by extreme loss of skin moisture and natural oil. The loss of skin moisture and natural oil often go hand in hand and usually occurs when the cat is continuously exposed to unusually hot environments. The loss of skin moisture is a slow process that eventually becomes extreme and cat dandruff.
#3 Parasites
Can cats get dandruff? Yes, the presence of parasites on your cat’s skin is instrumental in making your cat’s skin go dry and barren. These parasites spread throughout your cat’s body, making it itchy and adding a rough feel to it. The more your cat itches, the flakier its skin will become, resulting in cat dandruff.
#4 Overweight
The more obese your petis, the worse is its dandruff on cats. The connection between the two is quite surprising. An overweight cat will find it difficult to reach its lower back when it cleans its furs. The cat’s lower body will stay relatively unclean, eventually resulting in cat dandruff.
#5 Excessive Use of Cat Dandruff Shampoo
Cats have a natural ability to produce oils in their skin, and excessive use of cat shampoo will deplete the reserves of these oils in your cat’s skin, which causes it to go dry. If your cat’s skin and fur are not rinsed properly, the shampoo that remains on your feline’s skin will eventually form white spots of dandruff. Excessive use of cat dandruff shampoo will surely lead to cat dandruff.
How to Get Rid of Cat Dandruff?
Well, these are some important reasons that cause dandruff in cats, and here are some ways to get rid of cat dandruff. Yes with this simple cat dandruff treatments you can get over a stress free life style.
#1 Healthy Diet
Make sure your cat is neither too fat nor lacking the required amount of Omega 3 fatty acid in its diet. Feed your pet the right diet. It’s not rocket science, and you don’t need to complicate it by measuring cups and ounces. You need to make sure that your kitten has a diet that includes all important nutrients, including Omega 3 fatty acids, so that your cat’s skin is always naturally fresh and smooth.
Looking for tips on how to help cat dandruff? Take the initiative and make sure that your cat has its fair share of physical activity during the day. If your feline gets too obese, it won’t be able to clean its fur properly, and this’ll surely cause dandruff. Proper intake of nutrients essential for your feline’s skin and frequent physical activity to ensure that your cat doesn’t get obese will help eliminate cat dandruff.
#2 Limit Exposure to Hot Environments
When your cat is frequently exposed to hot environments, its skin will lose its moisture and natural oil. The resulting dryness of the skin will be accompanied by dandruff. Limited exposure to extreme conditions goes a long way in preventing the occurrence of dandruff.
#3 Avoiding Excessive Use of Cat Shampoo
Bathe your cat as regularly as possible and keep your cat’s surroundings clean and sanitized. If you use a cat dandruff shampoo, ensure that you do not apply it in excess of what is necessary because excess shampoo leads to the formation of dandruff. Make it a habit to properly rinse your pet after bathing it because doing so will ensure that your cat’s skin is free from any leftover shampoo.
#4 Groom Your Cat at Regular Intervals
Groom your cat as regularly as you can, clip its nails, cut off excess fur and regularly check its skin for signs of dandruff, such as dry and flaky skin. The cat flaky skin is more of a preventive measure against dandruff, but as the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure.”
Summing Up
In conclusion, cat dandruff is not unusual and can be caused by often overlooked reasons. If your feline’s dandruff problem persists even after taking the necessary steps and preventive measures, consult a vet as soon as possible to ensure that necessary care is provided at the earliest. Happy petting!!!