dry, flaky skin / dandruff problem

three4rd

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Hi,

My 4-year old cat has developed a pretty bad flaky skin problem. I seem to recall the same thing happening before and then it got better, now worse again. When she was in the kennel several months ago the vet that checks out the animals (the boarding spa is associated with a clinic) left a note for me when I picked up my cat that there is a severe dandruff problem and that I should start giving an Omega-3 oil additive. I had already bought a product at my local vet but never used it until now since, as I said, it got better. Right now it's really bad near the back part of her back. I suspect she is a bit overweight at this point and so may not be grooming well in that area. Any thoughts? I just started her on a product called "Omega-3 Pet" by the company "Nordic Naturals". My vet sold it to me quite some time ago. Should I just see how things go or take her to the vet to be looked at? I will be boarding her at the kennel again within the next few weeks and I know the vet who examines the boarded animals there will likely again tell me that she needs attention for this problem.

She eats both wet (twice a day) and dry food (once a day). The dry is Friskies Seafood Sensations and the wet is also Friskies - Classic Seafood Entree (Pate). She's been on the same food since I got her 3 years ago - no change of any kind and never noticed this dandruff problem until within the past year.

Thanks for any input!

Keith
 
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cprcheetah

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She may be missing something in her diet, unfortunately Friskies isn't the best of diets for cats it is loaded with things that cats shouldn't eat like corn, colorings and such.  I would switch to a higher quality diet.  I give my cats Fish Oil, they each get about 1000mg per day and it has helped their coats become more shiny.  I don't have a dandruff problem but I feed high quality canned foods.  I do feed Fancy Feast and Friskies canned sometimes, but try to stick to better brands like Blue Buffalo, Wellness, Solid Gold, Innova, Natures Variety.  Canned food only is ideal for cats.  This website talks about food and nutrition in cats.  http://catinfo.org/  I would switch brands and make sure you give enough omega's.  A fish based diet should be used sparingly in cats (maybe once a week only) as it can cause problems in cats.  http://www.littlebigcat.com/nutrition/why-fish-is-dangerous-for-cats/
 
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three4rd

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Thanks for the helpful reply. I've only ever used the Friskies canned with this cat. My other cat only got dry food and wound up hypothyroid (not sure the food caused it but then I read that canned food is better). I only use 1/4 cup of dry food once a day, and canned food twice a day. I will look into other brands. I thought that Friskies was ok, but apparently there is better out there.
 

tdonline

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Dandruff suddenly sprang up for my cats too.  I wonder if it's the heated dry air?  My cats are eating Fancy Feast and Friskies too.  They used to eat primarily Wellness but due to circumstances (medication/cat separation), they are currently eating FF and Friskies and one is particularly adamant.  I suspect the food isn't helping their skin and coat. I've restarted giving them fish oil.  It has worked in the past.  The hangup is my fusspot one is balking.  Of course she's the one who needs the fish oil the most!
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Friskies PATES are okay, and Fancy Feast CLASSICS are ok...better than dry food, IMHO.  There are better foods out there, yes, but still, these are better than some other canned food, MUCH better than some other canned foods
.  In my opinion, the Fancy Feast is better than the Friskies, but you can probably already tell that by the price.  Can for can, they are probably equal in price, but Friskies is a larger can
.

Anyway, that Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Pet is a good thing to add to their food, BUT, if it's been opened and not refrigerated, it may be spoiled.   That's the trouble with those type of oils...the spoil fairly quickly.  I bought some Nordic Naturals I think it was, and got sort of "unscented" anchovy and sardine oil or something, and it went bad really quickly.  Just smell it and if it smell rancid at all, toss it and get something else.  Any type of fish oil...salmon, anchovy, krill should do the trick.  
 
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