Hey Guys,
I apologize if this is not in the right part of the forum, but I just need some insight on what could be causing my cats behavior.
Basically my cat, named Valo, male, neutered, and 6 years of age has recently been licking and scratching himself a little too much than a daily grooming.
Here are some possible causes and questions:
1. Dry Air?
I have recently moved from Boston to Finland. So the climate that my cat has been born and raised into was a humid one. Now we live in a dryer climate. I found a dry patch on his neck/shoulder area where he tends to scratch the most.
In addition, my apartment bathroom has radiated floor heating so Valo tends to spend most of his time lounging around on the floor. I have wondered if too much heat plus the dry air is sucking out all moisture in his skin (despite having nice silky fur).
It may sound like a dumb question, but is it possible for animals to have skin changed related to climate change? Because I have noticed a change in my own skin and hair since moving...
2. Diet
In just the last 7 or so months, I have changed his diet a few times in order to help him loose weight and keep his skin and fur healthy to reduce allergens. Since moving, I have had to change his food to yet another brand.
I feed him dry food by Applaus in Salmon/chicken and occasionally treat him to marine blends of wet food by the same brand.
3. Liter
I read somewhere once that liter can cause an allergy. I have never put much thought into this and would have no idea what sort of liter i should be looking into. If it is a liter problem, also with the floor heating in the bathroom, the liter tends to melt a lot to the floor. And with Valo rolling around in it, I wonder if that could be part of the problem. Something I am still figuring out how to manage.
4. Flea/Mites
I know that this is probably going to be suggested to me. He is an indoor cat and I checked his fur and have not found anything. Since he has been scratching himself a lot in the last month and a half, I would think by now it would have escalated to something much much worse that it would be obvious if it were fleas (right?).
Any ideas on what the problem could be or what I can do to add moisture back into his skin?
Please and thank you!!
Lauren
I apologize if this is not in the right part of the forum, but I just need some insight on what could be causing my cats behavior.
Basically my cat, named Valo, male, neutered, and 6 years of age has recently been licking and scratching himself a little too much than a daily grooming.
Here are some possible causes and questions:
1. Dry Air?
I have recently moved from Boston to Finland. So the climate that my cat has been born and raised into was a humid one. Now we live in a dryer climate. I found a dry patch on his neck/shoulder area where he tends to scratch the most.
In addition, my apartment bathroom has radiated floor heating so Valo tends to spend most of his time lounging around on the floor. I have wondered if too much heat plus the dry air is sucking out all moisture in his skin (despite having nice silky fur).
It may sound like a dumb question, but is it possible for animals to have skin changed related to climate change? Because I have noticed a change in my own skin and hair since moving...
2. Diet
In just the last 7 or so months, I have changed his diet a few times in order to help him loose weight and keep his skin and fur healthy to reduce allergens. Since moving, I have had to change his food to yet another brand.
I feed him dry food by Applaus in Salmon/chicken and occasionally treat him to marine blends of wet food by the same brand.
3. Liter
I read somewhere once that liter can cause an allergy. I have never put much thought into this and would have no idea what sort of liter i should be looking into. If it is a liter problem, also with the floor heating in the bathroom, the liter tends to melt a lot to the floor. And with Valo rolling around in it, I wonder if that could be part of the problem. Something I am still figuring out how to manage.
4. Flea/Mites
I know that this is probably going to be suggested to me. He is an indoor cat and I checked his fur and have not found anything. Since he has been scratching himself a lot in the last month and a half, I would think by now it would have escalated to something much much worse that it would be obvious if it were fleas (right?).
Any ideas on what the problem could be or what I can do to add moisture back into his skin?
Please and thank you!!
Lauren
). You have your answer.
