Sensitive skin and dermatitis in cats
As any pet owner knows, one of life’s most easily accessible pleasures is petting your beloved cat. Running your hand over soft, thick, shiny fur is a pleasure for both you and your pet. Unfortunately, if your cat has a bad skin condition, then this simple pleasure will not be so pleasant for her.
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What can you do?
- Check your cat for pests. Carefully inspect your cat’s coat and skin for ticks, fleas, lice, or other parasites. If you notice any, contact your veterinarian for advice and appropriate treatment, such as flea dermatitis.
- Check for allergies. If your pet is free of pests and otherwise healthy, her symptoms of discomfort (itching, redness) may be due to an allergic reaction to something in the environment, such as pollen, dust, or mold. Allergic dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that leads to the fact that the animal licks itself excessively, itches, hair falls out, and the skin becomes dry and flaky. You should learn more about allergic dermatitis.
- Consult your veterinarian. Skin conditions can have a wide range of causes, from parasites to allergies, from hormonal imbalances to bacterial infections, stress, atopic dermatitis, and many more. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian about your cat’s individual health condition and treatment.
- Feed your cat well. Even if the cause of her skin condition is not nutritionally related, a high quality cat food formulated specifically for skin sensitivity can help your pet. Look for one that contains high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants—all important nutrients to help heal and protect your pet’s skin. They can be found in Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin adult cat foods for sensitive stomachs and skin, formulated specifically for adult cats with sensitive skin.
Signs of a problem:
- Dry, flaky skin
- Excessive itching, especially around the head and neck
- Excessive shedding
- Hair loss, bald patches
Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin adult cat food for sensitive stomach and skin:
- High levels of antioxidants with a clinically proven effect, including multivitamins C + E and beta-carotene, supports the immune system and protects it from cellular oxidation caused by free radicals
- Increased levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids promotes healthy skin and a shiny coat
- Unique combination of high quality protein and essential amino acids provides the essential building blocks for healthy skin and a shiny coat
