Common remedies for fleas include licensed pesticide shampoos and ointments proven to be effective. If your cat is at risk for an infection, the vet may also recommend antibiotics. Luckily, most cats recover quickly with flea control treatments. [3] X Research source
If your cat does have an allergy, you may need to switch to a different food at your vet’s recommendation. If this keeps the cat from getting nutrients it needs, dietary supplements may be necessary. In some cases, switching dry food for wet food and adding a little fish oil to each meal can help keep a cat’s skin moisturized. [4] X Research source
Drier winter months can also be a source of flaky skin if your cat lies next to a heater or fire, even if there’s less of a risk of sunburn.
If you have a cat that’s amenable to being bathed, though, there are several moisturizing shampoos that you could use. If you believe your cat’s skin is dry due to an allergy, a bath can help remove the allergen. That said, some allergies are caused by diet and, in such cases, a bath will not have the desired effects. See our article on bathing a cat for help if you do need to wash your cat.
Diabetes Seborrhea Hyperthyroidism Ringworm Malassezia
One healthy way to do this is to offer the cat fish, which contains healthy Omega 3 fatty acids. You can also try adding healthy oil supplements to your cat’s current food. If your cat has any existing health issues, talk to a veterinarian before changing their diet. Since cats are typically fastidious groomers, applying topical medications usually isn’t a good option to treat skin dryness, because they’re very quick to groom it off of them. To remedy that, systemic changes in their diet tend to work better.
Change its bowl frequently to ensure it always has good water to drink. It’s also a good idea to wash the water bowl from time to time to kill any bacteria in it. [7] X Research source
Always brush gently and stop right away if you notice irritated skin or signs of pain. Remember, though, that cats don’t necessarily need help grooming, outside the occasional help from a brush or a comb. Their tongues are rough and designed for grooming.
Only buy well-regarded, quality products for use on your cat. The best products will have lots of positive reviews from happy cat owners.
When your cat is in a calm, approachable mood, find a clean towel or rag and soak it in hot water. The water shouldn’t be too hot for you to hold your hand in. Once it’s soaked, take the towel out and wring it until it is not dripping wet anymore. Drape the towel over the cat where the dandruff spots are. Gently keep the towel in place while you hold the cat. Let it sit this way for five minutes while you offer it petting and affection to keep it calm.
