Balding cat...dandruff?

[JavaCat]

Hi, any help or advice you have would be appreciated. We have an 18 yr. old black male (neutered) cat that has been losing the fur on his back in large clumps. There is also what looks like dandruff all over his fur. Is this related to his age? Or will he need to visit the vet?

He is otherwise healthy. He fought cancer a few years back and has had no other health problems.

Thank you!

[Anne]

I don't think this is a natural aging phenomenon. It could be related to his body losing the ability to get the right nutrients out of his food. Or it could be something else.

I would take him to the vet for a check up.

[Ruth]

I had a balding problem with my 5 yr. old. I think it was a nutritional deficiency because when I fed her Nutro-Max dry for Adult cats it gradually cleared up. Buy it; it is very good. RUTH

[Sandie]

It's usually not a deficiany that causes it with the foods. It's usually associated with a particular ingredient in the food that causes an allergy.