Dandruff in cats doesn’t represent serial medical condition perse. Many older and overweight cats may get dandruff in its mild form, especially in winter. Moreover, many other cats regardless their breed may get dandruff too, with no apparent reason. Veterinarians from Eastshore Vet, the best veterinary hospital in CT, advise you not to overthink about that. In many cases, dandruff passes on its own without treatment. However, before deciding how to treat dandruff in your cat, consult your vet to exclude the possible health problem.
Depending on a cause, you may treat your cat in several ways.
Poor Diet
Sometimes, your cat may get dandruff as a result of nutritional deficits. To tackle the issue, you may change her diet to premium food, or try adding Omega-3 oils. In both cases, do that gradually. Cats don’t like sudden changes and many of them are picky eaters. When it comes to cat supplements, choose the form and brand that suits your cat the most. The same principle of gradual introducing works fine with supplements, too.
Dehydration
Cat skin becomes flaky and dry when your cat doesn’t drink enough water. To encourage her to drink more and stay hydrated, you may want to read the following article—“How to Encourage Your Pet to Drink More Water?” Poor humidity during winter may cause dehydration of cat skin. Central heating in your apartment may dry out the air and affect a cat’s skin. Try getting a humidifier to neutralize this problem.
Overweight Cat
Flaky skin can be one of the symptoms of diabetes in your cat. Because of that, look for the other symptoms like excessive urination, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, and so on to detect this serious medical condition on time. On the other hand, a healthy overweight cat may get dandruff on its lower back, because it becomes too hard for her to reach certain places when grooming herself. A proper diet and a good exercising regime can be a part of a solution
Parasites
Tapeworms, roundworms, fleas, and other parasites may cause a dermatologic reaction in your cat. Keep her schedule of parasite treatments up to date to prevent dandruff and other complications. If a parasitic infection has led to an allergic reaction in your cat, consult your vet about the required treatment. To learn more about flea and parasite protection in winter, you can read here.