Grooming. Why does a cat have oily fur?

Many owners are familiar similar problem: the cat’s fur on the belly seems to be greasy, hangs down in icicles, the tail and back become greasy, and dandruff appears. Does this mean that the cat is dirty, or is it a sign of illness?

What does it look like

Oily fur looks dull and disheveled and may hang in sloppy icicles. Long hairs can roll into tangles, sometimes dandruff appears, and an oily coating or comedones (black plugs that clog pores) may be noticeable on the skin. The skin and fur in some especially oily areas may become hyperpigmented (take on a dark or brown tint).

Often the affected area is the back and neck, behind the ears and on the collar (especially in long-haired cats with a thick “mane”), which is due to the inaccessibility of these places for licking and is most often observed in older animals and small kittens.

Oily fur in a cat: reasons

Reasons why the cat oily coat, can be very different:

unbalanced diet;
young age - small kittens still do not take good care of their fur;
old age, when it is already difficult for an animal to engage in full grooming (coat care);
any serious illness;
chronic diseases internal organs- liver and kidneys;
problems with the thyroid gland;
hyperandrogenism - excessive production of male sex hormones that stimulate the secretion of sebum, especially in the area of the tail gland (occurs not only in males, but also in castrated animals of both sexes due to problems with the adrenal glands).

As you can see from this list, the causes of oily fur in cats are very diverse. Conventionally, they can be divided into two groups: associated with the deterioration of grooming (which in turn arises due to the general feeling unwell or age) and increased sebum production with internal problems(hormonal imbalance, food intolerance, etc.).

The cat has oily fur: what to do?

Don't panic if appearance cats got worse. Most often, the animal needs help to restore its previous appearance. Here's what you can do if your cat has oily fur:

help your pet with grooming: comb out excess hair more often, wash with a special shampoo;
review your pet’s diet, possibly change food;
if care does not help, be sure to take the kitty to the veterinarian; you may have to undergo tests and scrapings;
follow the doctor’s recommendations if any diseases have been identified;
With greasy tail in cats, most often only castration helps.

To find out why a cat's fur looks greasy, you need to carefully analyze his lifestyle, nutrition, changes in behavior and diet over the course of his life. lately. For example, if a pet stops taking care of itself and becomes lethargic, this may be a sign of a serious illness. If a cat becomes sloppy at 20 years old, then this is a natural age-related phenomenon, and if a young animal suddenly begins to look bad after changing food, then perhaps the diet simply did not suit him.

The sloppy appearance of an animal should concern owners not only from an aesthetic point of view; one must always remember that sometimes this sign signals serious problems with health. Therefore, you should not ignore the fact that the cat has a fat back or tail. If you have any doubts, you can contact your veterinarian.

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Category: Pets

Beautiful shiny wool Gives the cat an exquisite charm. What should an owner do to keep a pet’s fur coat in the best possible condition?
The appearance of your pet will please the eye and will be proof of its health if you follow all the rules of care. Seasonal shedding does not affect the cat's health; it is a natural process of hair renewal and adaptation to changing conditions (heat and cold).

Reasons Why wool loses its chic and shine may be:
Many diseases (infections and disorders of internal organs)
Allergies (to food, flea bites, etc.)
Unbalanced diet
Stress
Poor body condition after serious illness
Postpartum period
Very old age

Skin diseases cannot but affect the condition of the coat. If an animal pays a lot of attention to any part of the body, you should not expect it to go away on its own. You need to show your cat to a veterinarian as soon as possible, and carefully follow the prescribed recommendations. Fungal infections skin and hair problems cannot be cured without special tests and individually selected medications.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract system, thyroid gland, hormonal imbalance after sterilization or the use of corticosteroids provoke baldness. A consultation with a veterinarian is required to adjust the treatment of the underlying disease.

The cat needs high protein foods: hair consists of proteins, an unbalanced diet will inevitably lead to deterioration in the condition of the coat.

Licking for self-soothing is a normal behavior for a cat. However, stress can manifest itself in continuous licking of certain areas of the skin, even to the point of bleeding wounds. There are many reasons for stress: from boredom to not feeling well for a long time. It is difficult for the owner of the animal to determine what is causing poor condition The wool has become stressed. Put correct diagnosis and only a veterinarian can prescribe treatment.

After a serious illness or childbirth, the cat’s body is severely depleted. The pet needs enhanced high-protein nutrition, with mineral and vitamin supplements. The new fur will take several months to grow.

In addition to illness, immobility and tooth loss, old age can cause a cat to become bald. You can introduce a complex of vitamins and minerals into the diet, improve nutrition, but time in this case works against the animal.

Shiny, thick fur is the first sign of a cat's health. Most animals do not require serious care: just brush once a week. It is not recommended to wash your cat frequently (except special occasions: the pet got dirty or got fleas). Only Sphynx pets need regular washing. And representatives long-haired breeds They need daily combing and careful inspection for tangles and fleas.

The shiny fur of a cat attracts the eye, you want to touch it - and in general, when the fur looks good, it immediately becomes clear that the cat is healthy and well-groomed. Your cat's fur may become dull over time, from... various diseases or other factors.

Check your diet

Diet is extremely important for a cat's health. They have their own characteristics in this matter. As you know, cats are predators, in other words, carnivores. Some call them "hyper-carnivores" because, unlike many other carnivores, they truly cannot survive without meat.

We know that cats have a high need for animal protein, but that's not all. They need several special amino acids that are found only and exclusively in meat.

It is also very important to have Omega-3 in your diet. fatty acids, which are contained in some types of fish. Good producers They add fish to the main type of protein for this very purpose.

But economy-class food should be excluded, as well as an incomprehensible product that is sold by weight under the name “cat food”. What is included in this food and where it comes from is generally unknown to science.

Make sure there are no tangles or matted fur.

The presence of tangled hair and tangles causes constant discomfort to the cat, and therefore affects its well-being and health. general condition health. Tangles are a medium for development various kinds pathogenic bacteria, because they are warm and moisture regularly gets there.

In addition, tangles constantly pull the skin with their weight. Therefore, very often, under the removed mat, you can find inflamed skin.

Some breeds of cats have difficulty keeping their coats clean and mat-free because their fur is too long and soft. The cat is physically unable to put it in order. In this case, you should help her.

Teach her to put up with daily procedures: alternate brushing with giving treats, and, of course, be very careful, because cats have very sensitive and thin skin.

Injuries to the tongue and mouth

Cats create beauty with their tongue - and they have no other tool for combing their hair. Therefore, it is clear that if it hurts them to lick themselves, they are unlikely to do it effectively. But not every cat will allow a person to examine its mouth, especially if it hurts there. If for some reason your pet decides not to trust you in this matter, call for help.

It's best if it's veterinarian or at least a person competent in handling cats - who knows how to hold them correctly. Perhaps the cat will be offended by you or even bite you, but still check oral cavity- The cat's health is more important.

Health to you and your cats!

Igor Stus

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A cat's fur is not only soft and silky to the touch, it protects her from external influence environment, protects the skin from injury and acts as an indicator of health. Nutrition, illness and grooming affect the condition of your pet's coat and skin.

Health is in the balance

The cat's breed determines the length of its coat: whether it is short, medium, or long, as well as the texture of the coat, that is, whether it is rough, wiry, or soft to the touch. Everyone has healthy cats it shines and has no tangles.

Dull and brittle fur may indicate illness. See your veterinarian if your cat's hair breaks easily or falls out excessively, leaving bald spots. Remember: a cat should not lick its fur until bald spots appear!

Leather

Just like humans, a cat's skin is a sensory and protective organ that helps maintain body temperature. And although cats don't sweat like people, large number blood vessels in the skin they expand to reduce body temperature or contract to retain heat.

Examine the cat's skin by gently parting the fur. Pay attention to anything that is unusual, such as swelling of the skin, rash, or discoloration. Pieces of skin, scabs, bad smell or skin that feels oily to the touch indicates skin diseases. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian to determine the cause.

Also, check your cat for fleas or small black spots on the skin. These spots are flea waste, an obvious sign that your pet is infested with fleas. Fleas make your pet suffer, so take immediate action to treat your cat and facility. The veterinarian can give you qualified advice in this case.

The thick, beautiful fur coat of a domestic cat, no matter how long it is or what breed it belongs to, is a natural protection for both the thin cat’s skin and the cat’s entire body from uncomfortable environmental temperatures, pathogens, excessive humidity, and all kinds of traumatic factors.

And a fur coat shining with health is the pride of the owners. It is important that at any time of the year the animal’s coat is healthy, shiny and clean.

Of course, most cats are very clean and are able to clean themselves. And thanks to their flexible spine, they do this great. But still, the kitty cannot do without the help of the owner.

Diet and wool

Achieve good beautiful wool It won’t work if you feed an animal without taking it into account natural needs. Domestic cats are predators, but they are very small, which means they can handle small prey. At home, a portion of food should not greatly exceed the size of a mouse or a small bird, but it must be fed several times a day. Therefore, you cannot do without selecting a diet and selecting a portion.

If your cat receives only , select from the line of food the one that improves coat health and feed the animal according to the instructions. As a rule, no additional additives are needed.

At natural feeding You will have to go to a veterinary pharmacy for vitamins and minerals for cat fur. And the presence of vitamins A and group B, zinc, copper, biotin, and polyunsaturated fatty acids is important for it.

Grooming

If a cat's eyes are the mirror of her cat's soul, then fur and skin are the mirror of the cat's health. During the year domestic cat subject to seasonal molting. Unlike street cats, in warm apartments and houses, the molting period is extended, but still at the end of spring and at the end of autumn the cat loses its old fur and grows new hair.

If your cat's fur is dull, tousled, rolls into icicles, and the skin is dry and flaky, then it's time to reconsider your cat's diet..

It's no secret that when you lick fur, some of it gets inside digestive tract animal. And then, in the same undigested form, it leaves the cat’s body. And this process is typical for all cats, but if there is an excess of hair that gets inside, intestinal blockages can occur, especially during the molting season. Pamper your kitty with green cat grass, it’s not difficult to grow it on a windowsill.

It is important to brush your cat as often as possible. Choose a brush that matches your coat type and slowly comb out your kitty. This will protect long-haired cats from tangles and will help identify skin problems in cats with any coat. You need to comb in the direction of hair growth. To avoid stress, it is advisable to teach brushing from the first months of a kitten’s life in the house. Brushing the fur is also another opportunity to communicate with the kitty and establish contact with it.