When you have dry skin, what do you do? You may put some lotion on and start using a moisturizing soap. Unfortunately, when your cat develops dry skin, these measures don't really work. Cats don't typically enjoy baths, and any lotion you apply will probably just get caught in the cat's fur. If you've noticed your cat has dry skin, it's a good idea to take them to a vet, and perhaps even a veterinary dermatologist if you can find one in your area. Here are some treatments the vet may recommend.
Antihistamines
Often, dry skin in cats is caused by an allergic reaction to something in the air. Your cat could be allergic to pollen, dust mites, or even mold spores. You may notice other allergy symptoms like red eyes and sneezing, but dry skin can also be the only allergy symptom a cat displays. Antihistamine medications can stop the body from responding to the allergens, easing dry skin and any other symptoms. Your cat may only need to take the antihistamines for a couple of weeks until the allergy season passes. Generally, these can be prescribed in the form of a liquid or a powder that you mix into your cat's food.
Antibiotics
Sometimes dry skin is caused by a low-level skin infection. Your cat could have been exposed to infectious bacteria by just rubbing on something that you brought in from outside. Or, if they come into contact with other cats or dogs, they could have gotten an infection from them. If the vet thinks your cat has a skin infection, they'll prescribe oral antibiotics. You should see their skin clear up within a couple of days, although they'll need to keep taking antibiotics for several days.
Vaporizers
If your cat is not showing signs of infection or allergies, their dry skin may just be caused by dry air. This is more common in the winter, especially in homes with forced-air heating. The vet may simply recommend that you plug a vaporizer in where your cat spends much of its time. The vaporizer will add moisture to the air, and some of the moisture will land on your cat's skin, helping to hydrate it.
Dry skin can be quite a nuisance for cats, so don't overlook this symptom. Take your cat to a local vet. They can figure out what's causing the dry skin and address it properly. For more information, talk to a local pet dermatology professional.
Share25 October 2021
When I moved into the town I'm living in now, there was a large population of stray cats. Unfortunately, that population kept growing in rapid numbers because none of the cats had been fixed. I knew that wasn't a healthy situation, so I reached out to a local shelter and a veterinarian to launch a trap-alter-release program. Within about a year, we had the entire population altered and released back to their environments. The logistics were significant, but not overwhelming. That's why I built this site. My goal is to teach others how to launch a similar program in their own neighborhood to help keep the stray cats healthier and safer.