Your veterinarian may recommend tests to identify the exact reason for your cat’s skin condition. Common causes include:
Allergies: Your cat may be allergic (or intolerant) to either cat food or environmental factors like dust, pollen or mold.
Parasites: Fleas, lice and mites can all cause mild to severe skin irritation.
Hormonal Imbalances: Cats with too much or too little of certain hormones are prone to skin problems.
Infections: Bacterial infections can cause skin problems.
Your cat’s skin should be smooth and soft with no flaking, redness or signs of irritation. It should be neither too dry nor too oily and have no areas of hair loss. Signs of skin disease include the following:
IMPORTANT: Skin discomfort can have many causes. If your cat is showing signs of irritation, consult your veterinarian who will be able to diagnose the condition.
Some skin conditions can be cleared up quickly, while others need lifelong management. The good news is, most cats with skin conditions can be helped if you feed the right cat food, even if the cause of the condition is not nutritional. Please speak with your veterinarian about the appropriate cat food recommendation.
Some important nutrients that can help heal and protect your cat’s skin include:
Protein: High-quality protein provides the building blocks to repair damaged skin. Feeding unique protein sources, such as venison or duck, can also help reduce reaction in cats with a food allergy or intolerances to more common ingredients.
Essential Fatty Acids: A cat food containing high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, found naturally in fish oil, will help nourish and protect your cat’s skin, prevent dryness and help control inflammation.
Antioxidants: Vitamin E and other antioxidants are vital in helping to maintain your cat’s healthy immune system, and protect it from cellular oxidation caused by free radicals.
Combining these nutrients in a single cat food provides a convenient way to manage your cat's skin condition.
The food your cat eats plays an important role in her overall health and well-being. Balanced nutrition is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle. When your cat has a skin condition, it’s even more important to feed the right cat food.
For accurate diagnosis and treatment options, always consult your veterinarian and ask them to recommend the best food for your cat’s skin condition.
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