Cute, soft, squishy, and cuddly is how we all envision our cats. We do everything in our power to keep them clean and happy. There are, however, a few annoyances like dandruff that could undo all of our hard work to keep our cat prim and proper. If you notice that your cat is suffering from this condition, you need to figure out how to get rid of cat dandruff for your cat as soon as possible because it isn’t something that could go away on its own.
Dandruff in cats is a common menace that many cat owners have to contend with. Have you been racking your brain wondering how to alleviate your cats suffering? we delve into the various ways to eliminate cat dandruff. With our tips and some tender loving care, your cat will return to his usual clean and healthy self in no time.
1.Add Moisture to the Environment with a Humidifier
During hot, dry weather, your cat’s skin is highly susceptible to dandruff since it will be excessively dry and flaky. If your cat prefers to snuggle indoors, you can add some much-needed moisture into the air using a humidifier.
A humidifier is a worthy investment because it will not only help soothe your cat’s skin, but it also works great to alleviate your cat’s respiratory problems.
2.Get Rid of the Parasites
Bites from external parasites like fleas, lice and ticks can cause skin problems and dandruff in cats. These tiny creatures can be a nightmare not only to your feline friend but your family as well.
A haphazard approach to eliminating external parasites won’t do. You have to be thorough. If you keep other pets, you may need to treat them as well. You may also need to do a thorough cleaning of your furniture, bedding, floors, carpets, and other places where your cat loves to nestle. Below are specific ways of eliminating some of the most common external parasites in cats:
Parasite 01:Fleas
Fleas thrive in warm, humid climate and can cause severe itching to your cat. Your cat will be extremely restless and often develop open sores and wounds from excessive scratching. The most effective way to stamp out this menace is by getting a treatment plan from your veterinary. Often, this involves giving your cat flea baths and anti-flea meds that would drive these annoying pests out of your cat’s vicinity.
Additionally, you must thoroughly clean all the places in your house where your cat frequents. This will completely kill the fleas’ eggs, larvae, and pupae. If you keep other pets, also ensure that they go through the flea treatment.
Parasite 02: Ticks
Ticks are a real nuisance not only to your cat but your family as well. These tiny blood-sucking creatures will not only pounce on your cat but will also bite humans. They thrive in bushy areas. An innocent trip with your cat in the woods may be the reason your cat gets infested. Ticks mostly bite your cat’s neck or face. As unpleasant as it may be, you will need to gouge the ticks out physically.
Wear a pair of protective gloves before you begin. With a pair of tweezers, firmly grasp the head of the tick while being careful not to crush it. Exterminate the ticks you pull out by putting them in a bottle of insecticide.
Parasite 03: Lice
Your cat may easily become lice-infested by coming into contact with other infected cats or objects. Your cat will then exhibit a dry coat with a severe case of dandruff. In comparison with other external parasites, it is relatively easy to eliminate lice in your cat.
Your vet may recommend bathing your cat with a medicated shampoo. You may also need to make use of insecticidal powders and sprays. You may also need to dispose your cat’s bedding and thoroughly clean your cat’s favorite spots. Your vet may also recommend specific products to root out the nits and lice from your home completely.
3.Brush your Cat
You can actually brush the dandruff menace off of your fluffy friend. This is no permanent solution, and it is not thorough enough, but it should help reduce the itching a bit until you can gain access to a better solution.
Using a soft brush, gently stroke your cat’s hair in its natural direction. You should brush him/her daily even if your cat is not suffering from a dandruff outbreak. Brushing helps improve the circulation of blood in your cat’s skin. This, in turn, helps to revitalize and restore damaged skin. You should not, however, brush your cat if you notice they have injured their skin from scratching. Brushing a cat that already has injuries may trigger an infection.
4.Ensure a Proper Diet
Having found a true friend and companion in your precious cat, it is possible to forget what their diet in the wild looks like. Cats are carnivores, meaning they must eat meat to thrive. A cat’s ideal diet should be packed with protein. If you opt for commercial foods for your cat, ensure that they contain meat as the main ingredient.
Please note that you should only buy food that has been properly stored. Commercial foods that have been stored under extreme temperatures are bound to have their vital nutrients ruined.
To repair damaged and itchy skin in your cat, offer Omega 3 fatty acids supplements and fish oils. It is also important to ensure your cat is properly hydrated by offering him access to clean and fresh drinking water. Canned wet foods are also an ideal way of making sure your cat gets enough water.
5.Bathe your Cat
Most cat owners will tell you what a daunting task bathing your cat is. Luckily, your kitty does a decent job of cleaning himself up. You may only need to give him/her a bath when they are extremely dirty. When your cat has dandruff, a bath will offer him/her some much-needed relief. A proper bath using a mild medicated shampoo should eliminate the itch. Ensure you give him a thorough rinse to avoid a recurrence of the itch.
Unless your cat is used to baths, he/she may not take your gesture to offer him a bath kindly. Here are a few tips to make the experience more bearable for both of you:
- Trim your cat’s nails before the bath
- Proper timing is everything. An ideal time to bathe your cat is when they are well fed and tired. They will most likely exhibit less resistance
- Familiarize the cat with the bathroom environment before his bath
- Offer a toy to distract your cat
- Place rubber mats on your bathroom floor to prevent your cat from slipping
- Wear protective clothing. Your dear kitty may get aggressive during this new adventure
- Be gentle. Wash him/her in a soothing, massaging way
- Keep the shampoo out of the cat’s eyes and start washing him from the neck then move downwards
- Rinse the cat thoroughly and pat dry with a towel
- Get an extra pair of hands if possible
- Reward your cat with his favorite meal after the bath
6.Keep the Kitty Out of the Scorching Sun
Cats that love the outdoors will go out despite the weather. During hot, dry weather, exposure to the sun causes great damage to their skin. This takes them on an itching and scratching spree crowned with lots of dandruff.
As much as you may hate inhibiting your cat, you may need to keep him/her indoors when the sun is excessively hot. There are a few clever tactics that you can employ to coax your explorative feline to stay indoors:
- Close all the windows and doors. Simply provide no access to the outdoors
- Offer lots of toys to distract him/her and kill boredom
- Invest in an electronic pet door that allows you to dictate when your cat can go out and when he can’t
- Place a pet-proof barrier on doors and windows. This will send off an alarming “beep” sound when your cat approaches—consequently keeping them off
- Use a pet proofing spray. This is a harmless spray that can be used on areas where you do not want your cat to go through
- Allow your cat access to a clear view outside from a specific window. This will partially satisfy his desire to be out there
- When the weather cools off, walk your cat outdoors. This will also quench any pent-up desire for the outdoors.
7.Put your Overweight Cat on a Diet
A major cause of dandruff-packed skin in cats is poor grooming. This is mainly when cats are overweight and cannot clean some of their body parts. You need to help your cat shed the extra pounds. This requires a lot of patience. Aim to have your cat drop the weight gradually. Your kitty will express his displeasure with your new project but remember that it is for his own good.
Ask your vet for help if you’re not sure how to do this. Your vet may recommend portion control, diet change, more exercise, and more water intake for your feline. Stick to the plan, and with time you will have a healthier and cleaner cat.
