Cat Dry Skin
For A Cat, Dry Skin Can Have Many Meanings
With a healthy cat, dry skin usually means that the problem is confined to the skin itself, and is not the symptom of something else more serious. When this is the case, once you've been able to diagnose what the cause might be, the solution might be close at hand.
The solution might be a change in the kitty's diet, giving it supplements or medication, or perhaps giving the cat a regular and frequent grooming. Something approaching close to 100% of all cats loved to be groomed, so this can be a pleasure for both you and the cat. There is the possibility that in grooming your cat dry skin can cause some discomfort, especially if the dryness is accompanied by other symptoms, but generally just the opposite happens, and grooming is a good approach to gradually improving your cat's skin condition.
Cat Dry Skin A Symptom Of Another Disorder - In the case of an unhealthy cat, dry skin can be a symptom of something else gone wrong. In this case you may or may not be able to effectively treat the skin condition, and even if you are successful, the cause may linger, and you still have a cat in need of medical attention. A cat can have certain diseases or disorders similar to what humans experience. Thyroid and kidney disease, the latter somewhat common in older cats, can result in hormonal imbalances or a buildup of toxins in the bloodstream, which could influence the condition of your cats skin. Cats even occasionally suffer from heart disease. When heart problems are present in a cat dry skin is often one of the signals. Cats can also suffer from allergies, at times affecting their skin condition. This can occur with a change in diet, even a change in the brand of cat food you are using. A given allergy may be in response to some environmental pollutant. For the most part, the cat's thick fur protects its skin, so many and probably most, causes of cat dry skin start from the inside.
Check For Other Possible Problems As Well - When treating dry skin, it's a good idea to closely inspect you cat to see if there is anything noticeable in addition to flaking or possible inflammation due to scratching. You may find various lumps or bumps, or small areas of discoloration, which may mean little, or may require the attention of your veterinarian. A vesicle for example is a bump in the skin due to a large concentration of bodily fluid. A vesicle is usually harmless, but may be a source of irritation. A pustule is a bump containing pus, a sign that inflammation has occurred. The pus, made up of white blood cells, may have already dealt with the source of the infection, but the pustule could be a source of itching. It may be the result of dry skin if your cat has been scratching and managed to infect itself. Wheals, or cat hives, are small inflamed areas which can be caused by a number of things, including some of the same things that give a cat dry skin.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids Are the Key - Poor nutrition is probably the major cause of dry skin in a cat. Whatever a cat's diet is, must contain a sufficient quantity of Omega- 3 fatty acids, along with vitamin E to keep its skin healthy. It is these two elements which the cat must have to effectively moisturize its skin. Dry skin is more often than not a symptom of the lack of sufficient amounts of these two things. A change in cat food, adding supplements to the cat's diet, or as a last resort, giving the cat oral medication, are simple ways in dealing with this deficiency.
Check what's in the cat food you purchase, or ask the veterinarian to recommend a specific brand. Don't look for the cheapest brand either. If you need to pay extra for a quality cat food, do so. Once your cat is on a sound diet, and you've gotten in the habit of grooming it regularly, whatever problems you may have in the future with your cat, dry skin should not be one of them.