Cat has spiky, greasy looking fur

[tigerlelly]

We have just inherited a cat (exact age unknown)and we have an appointment for him with a vet next week for a check up. Meanwhile his fur is very spiky and greasy looking with a few matted lumps in it; he has been eating grass and doesn't always seem to fancy his food. Should we bring the appointment forward/what isthe problem?

[Schutzengel]

When you say you have inherited the cat, do you mean that you have taken him in as a stray. If he's been fending for himself for some time it's to be expected that his coat could be in quite a rough state. Also he is not likely to be used to having proper food at proper times, which could make him seem a bit fussy or not interested in his food at times. If a cat's tummy is feeling a bit out of sorts, cats tend to try to medicate themselves by eating grass. Next point, you say the cat is a tom, have you checked to make sure he is not an entire, that is has he been castrated, if not you could have a problem with him not smelling very sweet. I would certainly bring the appointment forward to make sure he doesn't have any other problems except looking a bit scruffy. Hope all goes well. Good luck.

[Schutzengel]

Just seen your comment about your parrot. I wouldn't advise leaving the parrot and cat in the same room, unsupervised - ever. Hope all goes well.

[jules77]

A healthy cat will have a bright, clean coat, and a greasy coat could be a sign of fleas, a skin disorder, vitamin deficiency, a thyroid or kidney disorder.

Personally, as he isnt eating well, I would take him to the vets sooner rather than later.

[tigerlelly]

Inherited as in left him by a distant relative. We think he's about 9 years old. Has been castrated. Lovely nature but efinitely 'skanky-looking' as my daughter would say.

[Eve]

Bless him.

A check up and a bit of tlc and good diet and grooming should make a big difference.

When i adopted my rescue cat he wasn't in a bad way but thin and with dull more fluffy dry hair.

Over the past couple of weeks he is looking far more healthy and his fur is taking on a lovely sheen and feeling much sleeker.

Cats are very clean animals by nature and you can help them out with grooming by brushing them which most of them love.

[gravthedog]

hmmm I see maybe you could change its hair styling substance. It sounds like you are using clay and you should really be using wax on a cat. How long is the hair?
If it is really bad you could just shave it all off I guess

Hope this hels