Ella our cat - Dandruff, Dull, Dry Coat

15 years ago

Ella's five and over time we've noticed quite a bit of dandruff and her coat is dull and dry. Have been feeding her Friskies, a fourth of a 5 oz. can in the morning and a fourth at night plus a handfull of Purina Naturals dry food when going to bed. Unfortunately she's up to 14 pounds; we don't quite understand why she's so heavy as we do play with her and chase her around for exercise.

In looking over the cat food at Petsmart the other day we picked up a few cans of Blue Spa Select which indicates it's holistic on the label: no animal by-pruducts, no corn, wheat or soy.

Do you think a better quality of food will improve her coat, etc.? Any other suggestions??

Thanks.

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Comments (5)

glaserberl
15 years ago
A better quality food will definitely help improve her coat and also be better for her overall health.
All canned food is also better for her and will her help to loose some weight. There are a lot of good foods available and I'm sure you get some suggestions.
Our cats eat Felidae canned food and Evo grain free dry.
lfnyc
15 years ago
A lot of vets suggest DermCaps...fatty acid supplements that are available over the counter in capsule or liquid.

When our Odessa first came home from the ASPCA, she was shedding and flaking like no cat I've ever had. After a few fits and starts (haveing to deal with some poo-poo problems), I got her on a diet of canned Wellness Chicken (with a little Royal Canin rabbit kibble for snacking). The vet had also recommended DermCaps for her shedding and dandruff. I had to cut the Dermcaps out after a few weeks because of her initial loose bowel issues (long since resolved), but her canned food diet has been consistant.

Now she is the least shedding cat I've ever had...truely amazing! She's been with us for a year and a half and has only barfed up one hairball...no need for Petromalt. No dandruff either. I really attribute it to the diet.

AFA the weight issue: Dried food is higher in carbs than canned: that means (as in humans) its easier to over eat food high in carbs than food that is mostly protein and fat. Odessa is a big (long) cat: she weighed 15 lbs when we brought her home in July '07. Within the year, she was up to 18. It turns out, I was over feeding her (6oz of canned Wellness a day + 1oz kibble).
I've cut her down to 5.25oz of canned and 1/2oz of kibble and her weight has settled to 17.5. She can't seem to lose any more and is not happy with less food...but as long as she is active and healthy...and I know her caloric intake is consistant and balanced...I'm not too worried.

You might try to get your cat up to 3-4oz of canned and down to 1/4 oz of kibble for snacking and see what that does. I do think that the recommedations that are on the back of the packaging are too much for the average indoor spade/neutered cat.

L
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Purina and friskies are terrible foods, in a sense you are slowly killing your cat by feeding it this,compare to eating mic donalds/burger king everyday and getting a heart attack at age 50/40 - 15 to 14 cat years IMHO- worlds oldest cat lived beyond 30, 15 plus 15 is 30, same as 50+ 50 is 100- as very old humans can live.

I would try Evo, Orijen, wellness grain free or Ziwi peak.
oceanbaby
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for all your help. Got rid of the Friskies and changed canned and dry food to Wellness. Know we are now on the right road.
runsnwalken
15 years ago
Good.

Ella our cat - Dandruff, Dull, Dry Coat

Comments (5)

glaserberl

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Ella our cat - Dandruff, Dull, Dry Coat

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