Causes Of Dry Flaky Skin And Coat:
Many factors can cause the cats coat to become dull and skin to be flaky and dry. Some of the most common causes of skin problems include:
- Poor diet Diet and food play a key role in keeping the feline friendss skin, hair, and body healthy. If your cat isnt receiving balanced nutrition, the results will be apparent on her whole body. The first signs of a poor diet will be visible on its skin and coat. Best cat food can change this.
- Weight issues around 57% of cats in the US are estimated to be obese or overweight. When cats get fat, they find it difficult to reach their entire body for cleaning. The unkempt coat becomes dull and may attract worms and parasites. Cat food for weight loss might be a priority then.
- Age With age, cats become arthritic. They cannot twist and turn as flexibly as they used to. They also start experiencing pain in different parts of their body. So, due to age or pain, the feline may develop an unkempt coat.
- Too much bathing: Pet owners try to control dandruff or ward off fleas by frequently bathing their cats. This isnt a healthy practice as too much bathing affects the texture of the coat.
- Internal health issues: Apart from these lifestyle factors, there many some underlying health conditions that could cause the skin and coat to get dry, dull, and flakyfor instance, diabetes, allergies , skin infections, or autoimmune diseases.
Protein And Carb Content
Its also important to look at the nutrition, moisture, and fat content of your cats food. Cats evolved as hunters so their natural diet would be primarily carnivorous. They would consume prey that contains high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and a nominal amount of carbohydrates.
Pet parents should also look for high protein, says Dr. Ushi-Phillips. Not only is protein almost always a good option for our carnivorous cats, but high protein can help cats preserve muscle mass as they lose weight.
Note that protein and fat content numbers will be higher in dry foods than in wet foods, because wet food percentages are reported on a wet basis and contain a high percentage of water while dry food percentages are reported on a dry basis. You should look for about 8-10 percent minimum for protein in wet foods or at least 25 percent in dry food. Fat content should be a minimum of 5 percent in wet food or 20 to 30 percent in dry food. Some cats will turn their nose up at foods with less protein or fat than is recommended.
Lastly, pet parents will want to avoid too many carbohydrates within the first several ingredients, says Dr. Ushi-Phillips. Ingredients are listed in order with the greatest amount first. While higher fiber food will have some carbohydrate sources, they shouldnt be the main ingredients. Healthy carbs should come from ingredients like organic pumpkin, sweet potato, or brown rice.
How We Chose The Best Cat Food
Nutritional adequacy
Our picks are labeled with an AAFCO statement, which means they’re nutritionally adequate for the life stage they’re marketed for, whether for kittens or senior cats.
Ingredients
We picked foods with meat or fish as their first ingredients. We also preferred recipes without artificial flavors and preservatives and meat by-products and meals. However, if they include these animal products, they’re not listed as the main protein source.
Protein content
We compared food’s guaranteed analysis and favored protein-rich recipes that prioritized animal products.
Manufacturing standards
We favored brands that have vets and nutrition experts on staff, along with strict quality control measures in both ingredient selection and in the maintenance of the facilities where they produce food.
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Skin And Coat Health : Cat Food
Looking for the best cat food for your furry friend? At Target, find a wide range of cat food to choose from. Proper nutrition plays a huge role in their health. Look through dry cat food, wet cat food, kitten food, adult cat food and senior cat food. Made with ingredients like chicken, turkey, salmon and ocean fish, you are sure to find the perfect food that provides all of the essential nutrients and antioxidants that your cat needs. Find brands like Kindfull, Fancy Feast, Blue Buffalo, Purina One and more. It is essential to look after all of your cats life stage and lifestyle needs, from hairball and weight control to sensitive stomach and healthy aging recipes. Browse through a large range of high-quality cat food and find the perfect pick for your pet cat.
Our Top Picks For Best Cat Food
Food Label
Main protein sources: Chicken, Turkey, Whole Mackerel, Turkey Giblets , Flounder, Chicken Liver, Whole Herring, Eggs, Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Turkey, Dehydrated Mackerel, Dehydrated Chicken Liver, Dehydrated Egg
Main plant ingredients: Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Whole Peas, Whole Green Lentils, Whole Chickpeas, Natural Chicken Flavor, Whole Navy Beans, Lentil Fiber, Pea Starch
Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein 40%, Crude fat 20%, Crude fiber 3%, Moisture 10%
*These details may change depending on the foods flavor.
Why we chose this food: Dry cat food is often very high in carbohydrates, which isn’t biologically appropriate for cats since theyre true carnivores. This Orijen Original formula, however, is protein-rich, featuring a mix of poultry and fish as its main ingredients.
Dry cat foods often include fillers, like corn or wheat, in large amounts. Although cats can eat fillers, they often benefit from heavily meat-based diets they can better digest. Orijen Original features chicken, turkey, mackerel, flounder and herring as its main ingredients, just to name a few.
Orijen Original Cat is grain-free and coated with freeze-dried liver to improve its taste. Its also appropriate for all life stages, from kittens to seniors.
- Bag only available in one size
Food label
Main protein sources: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Peas, Menhaden Fish Meal, Freeze Dried Chicken, Freeze Dried Chicken Liver
Food Label
- Only available in one flavor
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Skip The Bath To Preserve The Cats Coat
Plotnick tells WebMD that washing your cat frequently could be another reason for a cat’s dry skin. Like many vets, he recommends bathing your cat only when their coat is extra dirty — think grease, something sticky, or other grime thats hard for a cat to groom away.
And when you do bathe kitty, Plotnick suggests finishing with a conditioning rinse made specifically for cats.
If youve been bathing your cat in an effort to control your allergy to cat dander, youre not really helping yourself — or your cat. The effects of bathing on dander are transient and last mere days. Its more helpful to wash your hands, take allergy medication, and clean the house often.
If fleas have you bathing your cat frequently, youll save wear-and-tear on everyone — and help your cat’s coat return to its normal shine — by switching to a monthly flea medication for cats. Severe flea infestations may also require treatment of the home before flea products can be fully effective. Dont use flea products made for dogs on your cat these can be fatal. Or consider buying a fine-toothed flea comb.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Weight Management Formula
Ground turkey provides plenty of taste for your dieting cat. This weight management formula is high in protein and low in fat, making it a good choice for weaning your adult kitty off a high-calorie food. The consistency is midway between smooth pâté and chunky wet food.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Weight Management Formula
Ground turkey and rice make a satisfying meal while keeping fat and calories under control.
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What Causes Cat Shedding
Many people assume that they know what a cat coat looks and feels like when they are fully grown. However, shedding is a natural process that will cause your cats coat to become dull and thin. This happens because cats shed their undercoat during the spring and fall months. Its very important that owners understand the reasons why cats shed and how to care for them when they do. Here are the most common reasons for shedding.
Poor diet
An unbalanced diet and cheaper cat foods do not contain essential micronutrients and vitamins, so the cats coat can be thin and dull.
Allergies
Sometimes allergies to certain substances, environmental elements, or food ingredients can lead to hair loss. Allergies cannot be cured, this condition can only be corrected with the help of medications and diet.
External parasites
Fleas, lice, and mites lead to hair loss, as they cause severe itching.
Health issues
Various diseases such as lichen, trichophytosis, fungal infections, scabies, dermatitis, seborrhea, and kidney disease may cause cat shedding.
Stress or anxiety
Stress negatively affects cats, and they look for various ways to calm down, one of them is excessive licking. As a result, they lose their fur.
Age or pregnancy
Pregnant cats shed hair due to hormonal changes, and older cats cannot groom themselves due to age, which leads to tangles and increased shedding.
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Avoderm Natural Wild By Nature Grain
Our Top Pick for the Best Wet Cat Food for Skin and Coat: If youre looking for the best wet cat food for dry skin, this AvoDerm Natural Wild by Nature Grain-Free Salmon Canned Cat Food is a great option to consider. As a wet cat food, this formula is extremely rich in moisture and, because it is cooked in salmon consommé, it is also full of natural fish flavor. This formula features fresh salmon as the main ingredient and single source of protein in a low-carb, limited ingredient recipe that will boost your cats skin and coat condition. It contains plenty of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from the salmon as well as supplemental fats like sunflower and avocado oils. It also contains vitamins E and A for skin and coat support as well as other essential vitamins and minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition. All in all, it is a protein-packed, nutritionally balanced recipe that your cat simply wont be able to get enough of.
- Pros: Single source animal protein, rich in moisture, plenty of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, skin-supporting vitamins, complete and balanced nutrition, loaded with natural flavor
- Cons: Mineral supplements are not chelated, texture is a little soupy
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Why Trust The Spruce
Theresa Holland is a professional writer and animal lover with extensive experience writing about cats and dogs. In addition to The Spruce, she regularly contributes to MyDomaine and Byrdie.
For this piece, Theresa interviewed Dr. Lewis Singleton, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital, to obtain more information on dry cat food. Choosing the right cat food can be a daunting task, but consulting with a veterinarian about key ingredients to look for can make the task less intimidating. To make this list, each pick’s flavor and nutrients were considered, as well as the cat’s life stage.
How To Keep A Cats Coat Soft And Shiny
In comparison to dogs, cats required proteins, and healthy fats to remain healthy. It is important to feed the cat with a balanced diet to keep their coat shiny and luscious. If you think that the cats fur is becoming greasy, try replacing its diet with high-quality cat food for sensitive cat skin.
It is possible to gain healthy fur through dietary changes. You need to ensure that your pets food contains a rich amount of animal protein, vitamins A, B vitamins, E, and D, iron, iodine, amino acids and calcium. These are the key nutrients that not just help reduce shedding but also keeps the coat shiny. Also, try to boost the felines omega-3s intake through food, especially if the cat is old. Omega-3s improve the condition of the coat and skin. Never forget to pick quality animal protein.
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What To Look For In Cat Food For Weight Loss
The first thing to realize is that cats can lose weight on any food. Weight loss is a result of cats expending more calories than they consume, explains veterinarian Georgina Ushi-Phillips. While all foods will require an overall caloric deficit, cat weight loss foods can make this process easier for both cats and cat parents. When looking at calories, be sure to compare wet food to wet food, and dry food to dry food. Thats because the moisture content affects the weight and calories are calculated on a per weight basis.
Carefully read labels and look for important certifications when deciding which brand is right for your cat. A good starting point is to look for higher fiber diets,” adds Dr. Ushi-Phillips. “Increased fiber will help cats feel more full and because of the way fiber is digested, pet parents can typically give more food as well. That means everyone will be happier.
It’s always a good idea to consult with yourveterinarian for the key attributes to look for to support your individual cats weight issues. Be prepared to try more than one to find just the right fit for your overweight feline.
What Are The Main Features Of Wet Cat Food For Healthy Skin And Coat
As any pet owner knows, a healthy coat and skin is the key to a happy, healthy pet. And while there are a variety of products on the market promising to deliver healthy skin and coat, wet cat food is one of the most effective.
Wet cat food is packed with nutrients that help promote healthy skin and coat, including omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and biotin. Omega-3 fatty acids help to keep the skin hydrated and reduce inflammation, while zinc and biotin help to improve coat quality.
In addition to being packed with nutrients, wet cat food is also highly palatable, which means cats are more likely to eat it and get the nutrition they need. And because its packed with moisture, wet food also helps keep cats hydrated, which is essential for healthy skin and coat.
So if youre looking for a way to help your cat maintain a healthy coat and skin, wet cat food is a great option.
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Which Cat Food Is Best For Healthy Skin And Coat
A cats skin and hair play a defining role in maintaining its optimal health. These block heat and water from leaving the body and bacteria and viruses from entering it. The coat hair is composed entirely of protein. Therefore, if the cat doesnt get enough good quality protein, its hair may fall out or become weak, dry, and brittle.
Several essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, fat, and minerals are responsible for keeping the skin and coat of the cat healthy. The only way to ensure your feline receives these essential nutrients is to feed it a balanced and nutritional diet rather than relying on artificial supplements. Cats require animal-based proteins, which are responsible for their health and wellbeing.
Fats are found in plant-based and animal-based ingredients and incorporated into skin cells in the form of fatty acids. The two essential fatty acids that aid a cats skin and coat include linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. Linoleic acid maintains the cats skin and coat condition, and lack of it can make the coat dry and skin greasy. To prevent inflammation, which is usually linked to fatty acids, always balance omega-6s with omega-3s in the cats food. IAMS suggests that to combine fat sources in a cats diet, keep a five or ten ratio to one. That is 5-10 omega-6s to 1 omega-3 fatty acid.
Dr Marie Mennitis Veterinary Advice
Healthy skin and a healthy coat are so important in keeping our feline friends feeling content and comfortable. There are a number of reasons that your cat may have a dull or dry coat and this may extend to the skin.
If you notice a sudden change in your cats fur or skin, you should consult with your veterinarian.
The right diet can help to maintain a healthy skin barrier and keep the coat soft and shiny.
Here are some tips to help you choose the best food for healthy skin and coat.
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How Often Should Your Cat Be Shedding
I can mark the onset of spring by the amount of cat hair I find on my couch. Kitties shed their heavy winter undercoat at the onset of spring, which means more vacuuming. Their summer fur is light to help them beat the heat.
Same way during the fall, they will again trade their summer fur for their heavy winter coat. So, expect to find tumbleweeds of cat hair on your furniture and clothes twice a year.
Seasonal cat shedding is more common in wild cats as well as outdoor cats. Indoor cats, on the other hand, experience a little bit of shedding all year long due to constant exposure to artificial light and this is normal.
Our Top Picks For The Best Cat Food For Skin And Coat
You have seen which kind of foods are good for your cats skin and coat. Now we want to show you the products we think are best for encouraging healthy growth and a healthy fur coat and skin.
Here are our top picks for the best cat food for skin and coat you should consider:
- Contains some potentially low-value by-products
- Made with added colors and artificial flavors
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Go Solutions Skin + Coat Care Dry Cat Food
Go! Solutions skin + Coat Care Dry Cat Food is a more expensive cat food. It is explicitly designed for healthy skin and coat, however. This food does not include any corn, wheat, or soy. It is also pea-free. The first ingredient is chicken meal, with deboned chicken as the first ingredient. Both of these are high-quality options. However, they are not suitable for felines that are allergic to chicken for apparent reasons. The ingredient lists remainder is a mixture of grains with some other high-quality ingredients thrown in, like salmon meal and cranberries.
This cat food for dry skin is extremely high in protein higher than most other options on this list. Because there are no peas or other high-protein veggies included, much of this likely comes from the meat products. This food is quite calorie-dense, so you may have to feed less than your cats current food.
The salmon meal includes plenty of DHA and omega-3 fatty acids for a healthy coat. Antioxidants and prebiotics are included as well.
The other ingredients are a bit lower quality, such as rice and oatmeal. This food is not grain-free, but it is pea-free. Most of the protein comes from animal sources, so this food contains a variety of amino acids. This food is fortified with a variety of different probiotics and prebiotics. These ingredients support your cats digestion. It also contains various omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A, which may improve your cats skin and coat.
- Requires a prescription