Included in this article:
Skin and coat care for cats
Cats groom themselves for several hours a day because careful hygiene is deeply rooted in their basic instinct. Cats therefore mainly take care of their fur themselves - but we should still support our furry friends by regularly combing their fur.
If your cat's coat changes, this can have normal causes, but also serious ones such as skin diseases.
In this article, you will learn which factors influence the condition of your cat's skin and coat and what you as an owner can do to help your beloved house cat achieve a silky coat and healthy skin.
The structure of cat skin
The skin is the cat’s largest organ and performs many important functions:
- Protects against environmental influences
- Regulates body temperature
- Important sensory organ
Overall, cat skin consists of three layers , each of which has different cell types with specialized properties:
- The epidermis: Several layers of horny cells protect against penetrating germs or other harmful external influences.
- The dermis: This layer consists of blood vessels, among other things, which supply the skin with nutrients and regulate heat. Nerve cells end here in different receptors and ensure that the cat can feel heat, cold, pain and pressure stimuli. The follicles from which the different hairs grow are also located here. Sebaceous glands release a greasy secretion - this keeps the fur dry and warm. With the help of scent glands, each cat produces its own scent. These scents are used by the animals to communicate with each other. They can mark their territory by rubbing themselves against objects (or their humans).
- The subcutaneous tissue: The layer, which is made up of fatty tissue and blood vessels, serves as an energy store and protects against cold and overheating. The tissue is also a good water store and prevents water loss in the body. The "fat pad" also protects against injuries caused by impacts.
What skin diseases are there in cats?
The cat's skin reacts sensitively to disturbing influences from inside and outside. The causes of skin diseases in cats are varied: metabolic diseases, hormonal disorders or autoimmune diseases can be reflected in the skin's appearance. Other causes can be bacteria, viruses, parasites, radiation or mechanical stimuli. If you suspect that your cat is suffering from a skin disease, see a vet immediately .
As part of a dermatological examination, veterinarians examine the skin, fur, mucous membranes, claws and ears, including the external auditory canal. In addition, special tests can be carried out that help determine the cause of the disease:
- flea comb test
- allergy test
- Mycological culture (mushroom culture)
Here you can find an overview of skin diseases:
Bacterial infection
Bacterial dermatitis or skin infections are usually triggered by an underlying disease, such as parasites, hormonal disorders or hypersensitivity reactions. This weakens the body's own defense system and causes itching, for example. Consequences: The cat scratches and licks itself and open patches of skin appear. These are real breeding grounds for bacteria - e.g. for rod bacteria (staphylococci).
Viral infection
Cats can also suffer from diseases caused by the herpes virus (usually herpesvirus type 1 FHV-1). The disease affects not only the skin, but also the cat's entire organ system.
fungal infection
Different types of fungi can cause fungal infections of the skin (dermatophytoses). Ringworm is one of the most common causes of hair loss in cats. Ringworm describes an infection with the spores of the fungus Microsporum canis. In addition to hair loss, an infection leads to red, ring-shaped markings on the skin.
hypersensitivity reaction
Hypersensitivity to various substances, usually foreign to the body, is described as a so-called hypersensitivity reaction. The best known of these is an allergy. A foreign substance causes an exaggerated, usually disease-causing, reaction of the immune system. The reaction can manifest itself in severe itching, eczema, hives and skin swelling.
alopecia (hairlessness)
The result of alopecia is that the cat's hair either grows back very little or too slowly. Causes: hereditary and hormonal factors, inflammation or parasite infestation. Psychologically caused (psychogenic) forms of alopecia also occur. The cat licks its fur excessively often until its hair breaks off and it appears hairless or only small stubbles remain.
How to recognize skin problems in your cat
The condition of your cat's fur provides information about its health. If the skin or hair is changed, dull and lackluster, shaggy and straw-like, sticky or matted, the cause could be illness, malnutrition or an infestation with parasites.
If you notice any of the following warning signs, you should consult a veterinarian:
- Poor hygiene as a cause of pain
- Hairless areas: the underlying skin is reddened or changed
- redness, dry and flaky skin
- Inflamed, open wounds
- Excessive scratching, licking or chewing of the fur. This behavior indicates itching.
coat change in cats
It is important to distinguish pathological changes from normal coat development. Normal coat development in cats is:
- loss of kitten fur
- change between winter and summer coats
- Hairless areas at pressure points (calluses)
- Gray hair: Loss of pigment is a common age-related change in cats, as is dull fur and reduced sebum secretion.
- Less hairy areas on the temples, especially in short-haired cats
- Hairlessness over old scars
Itching during the shedding process is a common occurrence - similar to dogs: the loose hairs initially get stuck in the fur because they are "held in place" by the surrounding hairs. The loose hairs then repeatedly prick the skin - this itches and results in your cat scratching itself more than usual during the shedding process.
The change from summer to winter fur (or vice versa) can take different lengths of time and depends on whether your cat is a pure house cat or an outdoor cat. Outdoor cats usually shed for 6 to 8 weeks. House cats are not exposed to the seasons and therefore shed significantly less and usually for shorter periods.
How to help your cat with its coat change
A cat has around 25,000 hairs per square centimetre - that's an impressive hair density. By comparison, dogs have a hair density of 1,000 to 9,000 hairs per square centimetre. So it's no wonder that cat owners' homes are often full of cat hair.
Especially during the shedding period, regular brushing of your cat helps to get rid of the fur. Breeds with very long hair need support during this time.
Other positive effects:
- Massage effect when brushing stimulates blood circulation
- The coat shines silky
- The caresses promote the relationship between animal and human
- Less hair ends up on the sofa, bed or black trousers
If your cat runs away from the brush, there is only one thing that helps: patience . Get her used to it slowly - for example, when she is in a cuddly mood anyway. Stroke your cat alternately with your hand and then carefully with the brush - as long as she lets you. If she doesn't feel like it anymore, interrupt the ritual and try again the next day.
What helps with hairballs?
When grooming with its tongue, your cat swallows more hair, especially during the shedding period. These hairballs form in the stomach and the cat normally vomits them up again. However, this process can lead to discomfort in the digestive tract.
Dr.Clauder's Intestinal Paste - Antihairball with taurine counteracts this. The special composition of fruit cellulose, malt and fats promotes the natural expulsion of hair from the stomach and intestines. This is a natural way to prevent vomiting hairballs - which promotes the health and well-being of your cat. The tasty paste also contains the vital amino acid taurine, which has positive effects on the metabolism, digestion and fertility of our furry friends.
How to prevent skin and coat problems in your cat
Appropriate care and maintenance are the most important factors in preventing skin and coat problems in cats:
Proper nutrition: Use high-quality food to avoid deficiencies in vitamins, fatty acids and minerals.
- Always store cat food in an airtight container to prevent parasites.
- Fight vermin and parasites: Consistent tick, flea and worm treatment offers protection. For example, use special flea collars or spot-on preparations.
- Clean your cat’s sleeping areas regularly.
- Regular brushing: The fur of long-haired animals, especially those with a thick undercoat, needs a lot of care to prevent matted areas from forming.
Beauty from Within through Healthy Eating
Diet plays a major role in the appearance of your cat's skin and fur. Above all, it should be balanced. High-quality food is an important basis for this. Selected types of food with appropriate recipes can make a daily contribution to a shiny coat and resilient skin. But as an owner, you can also actively strengthen your cat's well-being.
Symptoms such as permanent hair, dull fur or flaky skin indicate nutritional deficiencies that not only cause discomfort in the four-legged friend, but can also impair the immune system and vitality. However, it is often not so easy to meet the requirements that a cat has for its diet: our velvet paws need up to 30% of their daily protein intake just for hair growth and skin renewal. A protein deficiency can therefore quickly lead to poor fur and irritated skin.
The way to a man's heart is through his stomach - and so is his health
Cats have a mind of their own - you're sure to know that from your pet. Convincing them to take supplementary food in the form of tablets or powders can be a real challenge. So why not just use a high-quality wet food that the cat likes and at the same time provides valuable ingredients for its fur and skin?
The 85g bags from theBest Selection series by Dr.Clauder's offer cats varied meals and are matched with the appropriate oils depending on the flavor variation. No. 3 with lamb & rabbit and amaranth provides high-quality linseed oil that strengthens the cats' skin and fur. No. 4 with chicken and salmon is enriched with salmon oil. The latter ensures an appealing flavor and a shiny (fur) appearance. Safflower oil pampers the skin and fur of the little gourmets in the flavors game with pumpkin from No. 6 and chicken & pheasant with apricot from No. 7. The Best Selection No. 10 with herring & shrimp and chia provides real superfood. Both the fish and the chia seeds ensure a high omega-3 content and thus a positive effect on the cats' fur. Safflower oil rounds off the recipe.
You should remember this
You should remember this
Dr.Clauder's for skin and coat
Cats are real individualists when it comes to their taste. Dr.Clauder's offers a wide range of high-quality products to optimally supplement your cat's daily diet according to its needs. Here you will find our product tips for silky and shiny fur and healthy skin.
Food emergency? The nutrition hotline helps
If you have any questions about animal nutrition, we will be happy to help you. Call us during our service hours or send us an email with your request:
- Telephone: 0800 / 474 476 0
- Email: hotline@dr-clauder.com
These are our service times:
- Monday and Wednesday 3 - 9 pm
- Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Friday 3 - 7 pm
- Sunday 3 - 5 pm (every 1st Sunday of the month)
Also take a look at the FAQs: Maybe the answer to your question is there?
