Your veterinarian may recommend tests to identify the exact reason for your cat’s skin condition. Common causes include:
Allergies: Your cat may be allergic (or intolerant) to either cat food or environmental factors like dust, pollen or mold.
Parasites: Fleas, lice and mites can all cause mild to severe skin irritation.
Hormonal Imbalances: Cats with too much or too little of certain hormones are prone to skin problems.
Infections: Bacterial infections can cause skin problems.
Your cat’s skin should be smooth and soft with no flaking, redness or signs of irritation. It should be neither too dry nor too oily and have no areas of hair loss. Signs of skin disease include the following:
IMPORTANT: Skin discomfort can have many causes. If your cat is showing signs of irritation, consult your veterinarian who will be able to diagnose the condition.
Some skin conditions can be cleared up quickly, while others need lifelong management. The good news is, most cats with skin conditions can be helped if you feed the right cat food, even if the cause of the condition is not nutritional. Please speak with your veterinarian about the appropriate cat food recommendation.
Some important nutrients that can help heal and protect your cat’s skin include:
Protein: High-quality protein provides the building blocks to repair damaged skin. Feeding unique protein sources, such as venison or duck, can also help reduce reaction in cats with a food allergy or intolerances to more common ingredients.
Essential Fatty Acids: A cat food containing high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, found naturally in fish oil, will help nourish and protect your cat’s skin, prevent dryness and help control inflammation.
Antioxidants: Vitamin E and other antioxidants are vital in helping to maintain your cat’s healthy immune system, and protect it from cellular oxidation caused by free radicals.
Combining these nutrients in a single cat food provides a convenient way to manage your cat's skin condition.
The food your cat eats plays an important role in her overall health and well-being. Balanced nutrition is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle. When your cat has a skin condition, it’s even more important to feed the right cat food.
For accurate diagnosis and treatment options, always consult your veterinarian and ask them to recommend the best food for your cat’s skin condition.
Learn about the warning signs, symptoms, and treatments of cat obesity and weight management in cats and the conditions that affect on your cat.
Learn how to spot the signs of excessive dry skin in cats, what could be causing your cat's skin irritation, and how you can help alleviate your cat's dry skin.
Cats with sensitive skin have special needs and even healthy cats can sometimes develop poor skin health. Learn more about sensitive skin symptoms in your cat, what you can do to help your pet feel more comfortable and get recommendations on sensitive skin cat food.
Being overweight puts a cat at risk of developing many serious health issues. Weight gain indicates an increase in body fat and usually results when your cat eats too much and exercises too little.
Did you know that brushing your cat's teeth is just as important as brushing your own? According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3. Brushing your cat's teeth is easier if you follow this step-by-step guide.
A comprehensive health check for your kitten at six months is an important step toward ensuring a long, healthy life.
