Cat dandruff ... is there such a thing .. and treatment ?

[MustangLady]

Hi. I've very recently re-homed a loving female cat from Battersea Dog/Cat Home. I could refer back to the home with this question but though it easier to ask you guys in meantime. My new companion loves to be groomed, but as i'm brushing her i notice tiny while specks on her coat similar to dandruff or dry skin, do cats get this and is there a treatment of any kind? Someone suggested breaking up a codliver oil capsule and putting it in her food to get moisture back into her skin, is this right and are there particular ones i should buy or are 'human codliver oil' capsules ok to use. Any other suggestions or treatments I should like out for? If I can't get answer here i will give Battersea Home a call by end of week. Thanks. ML

[oldgrape]

have you checked for fleas?

[jules77]

It could be a sign of fleas, dermatitis or a thyroid problem. But could be a dry skin condition called seborrhea, is she itchy?

I would be inclined to get her looked at by a vet, as there is no point treating her for something she hasnt got. If it is simply dry skin, a good diet, with some added oils in the short term, will help.

Good luck.

[MustangLady]

yes have checked for fleas, plus the Home already gave her flea check before releasing her (only just sunday) so know she is clear. I might just call the home tmrw just to see what they suggest, they have been good and think they would welcome me calling them as a precaution to make sure i give her the right treatment. To me it just looked like a form of dandruff. Thank you

[oldgrape]

keep us posted on what it is

[Jugglering]

Hiya MustangLady... well done for actually going ahead and getting your new friend... I think you'll find that after a while this dry skin clears up, especially if she has you acting as her slave like the rest of us here - you will start buying her really lovely cat food and with all the love and attention and high quality nutrition she gets, her coat will become soft, silky and glossy. A lot of cat rescue centres feed their cats on dried food so it depends on what she's been eating.

My two girls had this dry skin when they arrived but it soon vanished when I got them onto the pouched food ! Keep on grooming her, that will help with any excess fur - my two darlings shed loads of hair within the first few weeks of coming to live with me... it's a lot better now that they've settled down and are less stressed out.

[MustangLady]

hi. thanks again for all your answers. I spoke with the home yesterday and they recommended constant grooming and suggested when i register her with the vets (which I'm doing next week), that i speak with them for a definate diagnosis and treatment available. They were very good and suggested also giving her catfood with fish as the oils in the fish will obviously help (I'm already doing this so hopefully things will improve) They also said that if i wanted to bring her back to the Home's own vet they will be more than happy to take a look themselves. I'm very impressed with the aftercare they've offered. I would definately recommend re-homing from Battersea.