Your cat is like family to you. They need good care just like you care for your skin and hair. A healthy, shiny coat and good skin are also crucial for their happy mood. To make your cat happy, you can do several simple things to improve their coat and skin. These include:
- Good food every day
- Grooming
- Good supplements and many more
This article will cover the essential considerations for caring for your cat’s coat. It can make you confident that you are doing the best for your furry friend.
The Foundations of a Fabulous Feline Coat
1. Good Nutrition
Like humans need good food to survive, your cat also needs nutritious food. Let’s check what you must include in your cat’s diet.
Protein-rich Food:
Cats must eat meat. Their bodies need lots of meat-based protein to be healthy. Protein gives them what they need to build hair. Fur is mainly made of a protein called keratin. Ensure your cat’s food lists meat (like chicken, fish, or lamb) as the first ingredient.
Great Fats:
Healthy fats, like Omega-3 and Omega-6, are super for skin and fur.
- Omega-3s (often in fish oil) can help stop itchy skin.
- Omega-6s (in plant oils and chicken fat) help make fur shiny. (Source: NIH)They also keep skin strong.
If your cat doesn’t get enough of these fats, their coat can be dry and dull. Their skin might get flaky. You can also try a cat skin and coat supplement to add more essential fats.
Some vitamins and minerals have specific roles:
- Biotin (Vitamin B7): Contributes to healthy skin, hair, and nails.
- Zinc: Key ingredient for fresh skin and healing. Cats that don’t get enough zinc can suffer hair loss and skin sores.
- Vitamin E: Fights oxidation and protects your skin cells.
- Vitamin A: Helps skin grow and heal, and can help increase moisture and slow the ageing process. (Source: ResearchGate)
Just make sure it is complete and balanced. It is another way of saying it has these good things in the proper proportions.
2. Grooming: More Than Just Looking Good
Regular grooming helps maintain your cat’s skin and coat. It’s also an excellent way for you and your cat to bond.
Why Brushing is Good:
- Takes Out Loose Fur: This means less fur in your home. It also means your cat swallows less fur. It can help stop hairballs.
- Spreads Natural Oils: Brushing helps spread the natural oils from your cat’s skin. These oils go all over their coat. It makes their coat look shiny and healthy. It also helps keep their coat waterproof.
- Helps Blood Flow: Brushing can help blood flow better to the skin. It helps keep the skin healthy.
- Find Problems Early: When you groom your cat, you can check for problems. Look for lumps, bumps, bugs (parasites), or sore skin. You might not see these otherwise.
Choosing the Right Brush: Folks with short-haired cats only need a soft bristle or grooming glove. Cats with longer hair (such as Persians) require a different brush and a comb. It helps prevent their fur from becoming matted. Start brushing slowly. Make it a fun game with treats and praise.
Bathing (Not Too Often): Cats groom themselves very well. They probably wouldn’t require a full bath. Bathing too often can strip your children’s skin of essential oils. It can leave the skin dry and sore. If your cat gets very dirty and requires a bath, only use shampoo labelled for cats. Human shampoo is incompatible with cats as it can hurt their soft skin.
3. Hydration: The Unsung Hero
Your cat needs water to keep the rest of its body healthy, including maintaining their skin and fur. Their skin can dry out and flake if they don’t get enough water. It may also feel sore more easily.
Help Your Cat Drink More:
Make sure your cat always has fresh, clean water. Some cats can be picky about their water. You can try these things:
- Use ceramic or steel bowls. (Plastic can sometimes change how water tastes.)
- Put water bowls in a few different places in your house.
- Get a cat water fountain. Many cats like moving water.
- Add wet food to what they eat. Wet food has much more water than dry food.
4. Parasite Patrol: Keeping the Critters Away
Bugs like fleas, ticks, and mites are more than just annoying. They can badly harm your cat’s skin and fur.
Flea Allergy (FAD):
Some cats are very allergic to fleas. It is a common skin problem. Even one flea bite can make these cats very itchy. It can lead to:
- Hair loss
- Scabs
- Sore, red skin
You often see this near the base of their tail and on their neck.
Mites:
Mites also cause trouble.
- Ear mites make ears very itchy. Your cat might shake its head a lot. You may see dark, crumbly stuff in their ears.
- Other kinds of mites can cause mange. Mange can make fur fall out and skin get crusty.
How to Stop These Bugs?
It’s essential to use regular bug control for your cat. Your vet can help you choose the right one. Do this even if your cat always stays inside, because fleas can easily come into your home on your shoes or clothes.
5. Stress Less, Shine More
Stress can change your cat’s body, their skin and fur. A stressed cat might lick or groom itself too much. It can cause bald spots or sore skin.
Make a Calm Home for Your Cat:
- Make sure your cat has a safe place to be.
- They need hiding spots and high places (like cat trees).
- Give them toys and things to keep their minds busy.
Try to avoid sudden changes in their daily routine or home. A calm cat is often a healthier cat, inside and out. For some cats, a special skin and coat supplement can help with skin problems caused by stress. It is because it can calm them and give them nutrients.
Cat Coat Supplement from Mihijo Pets
Even with good food and care, some cats need extra help for their coat. It can be true if:
- Their skin gets sore easily.
- Their food isn’t doing enough for a truly healthy coat.
It is where supplements for a cat’s coat can be beneficial. Mihijo’s cat coat supplement often has lots of these key things we talked about:
- Omega-3 & Omega-6 Fats: Help skin, stop soreness, and make fur shiny.
- Biotin: Makes hair strong and skin healthy.
- Zinc: Helps skin heal and stay strong.
- Vitamin E: Protects skin cells.
These supplements add what might be missing from their food. They help keep skin strong and make their fur extra shiny. Supplements can be beneficial for:
- Older cats.
- Cats with skin problems (ask your vet first).
- When seasons change, cats shed more fur.
Try these supplements for your cat to make them feel happy and healthy.
References:
Burron S, Richards T, Krebs G, Trevizan L, Rankovic A, Hartwig S, Pearson W, Ma DWL, Shoveller AK. The balance of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in canine, feline, and equine nutrition: exploring sources and the significance of alpha-linolenic acid. J Anim Sci. 2024 Jan 3;102:skae143. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae143. PMID: 38776363; PMCID: PMC11161904.
Shastak, Yauheni & Pelletier, W.. (2024). Pet Wellness and Vitamin A: A Narrative Overview. Animals. 14. 1000. 10.3390/ani14071000.
