Dry skin! Oil?

My cat has White flakes of skin on her coat. It is near the base of her tail. She has lots of dandruff and I thought it might be due to dry skin. She isn't stressed (she loves it here and has had no changes at all) and isn't over weight. She weighs 11 pounds. She is 8 years old and eats science diet adult. She has ALWAYS been a year-around shedder. The dandruff is only on the base of her tail and middle back area. I do brush her to help with the shedding with a shedding blade. She can reach it, because I have seen her groom herself and she isn't that lazy. She likes being pet, but not to the point where she demands it. I was thinking about just giving her an oil supplement, but I wasn't sure which one. The cod liver was mentioned but will it help with dry skin? She isn't itchy and doesn't seem to notice it. I think I've answered all the questions. So, 8 yrs old, not overweight, eats science diet, isn't itchy, isn't stressed, is not a stray, gets brushed(blade), isn't lazy, I think that's it. If you have any ideas I'd like to know. Thanks!

Is she on a senior formula?? I see you say adult.. I would try a "better " food one without corn and by products and high in omega 6 and 3s .. For oils I like olive

Olive oil? Hmm...how much do I give her? And how often? I'm trying to figure out which senior food to give her. I know I was going to switch soon. I was just wondering if anyone had any other thoughts on the white flakes.

Another oil that is good for cats and especially their fur is flaxseed oil. Just give 1/4 to 1/2 tsp daily. I mix it in their food.

Originally Posted by mzjazz2u

Another oil that is good for cats and especially their fur is flaxseed oil. Just give 1/4 to 1/2 tsp daily. I mix it in their food.

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That is another one I give mine... I give about a teaspoon every few days ... Mine like olive over flax.. Now remember I am just going what i do there may be someone with a exact amount per lb formula ... My oldest almost 17 loves the max cat senior... though she is weaning off dry due to kindeys... thanks to some good avice here..

Here is a link to the benefits of flaxseed oil. Benefits of Flaxseed oil It is good for not only over all well being but the immune system, inflamatory disease and others! They give a number on this website of 1-2 Tablespoons per 100 lbs of body weight. Obviously that is more geared to humans. I've been giving 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per day. Which is probably about right since there are aprox 3 teaspoons in a tablespoon.

Have you tried bathing her? Sometimes this helps solve the problem.

Thanks for the info!
Do you buy this at a health food store or pet food store?

Originally Posted by Loveysmummy

Thanks for the info!
Do you buy this at a health food store or pet food store?

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I buy my oils at the health food store... the pet store is usually higher and they didnt like it...

There is a cool website where you can get vitamins and supplements really cheap (including oils). It's www.vitamins.com. I pay aprox. $3.00 for flaxseed oil there versus $12 in the drug store. And they have everything imaginable there!

Originally Posted by mzjazz2u

There is a cool website where you can get vitamins and supplements really cheap (including oils). It's www.vitamins.com. I pay aprox. $3.00 for flaxseed oil there versus $12 in the drug store. And they have everything imaginable there!

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Wow if I bought onI would be getting alot off that site

Actually I just asked my vet about this tonight (Both Max & Abbey have dandruff).. She recommended Brewer's Yeast. She said you can usually get it at Walmart and it usually is packaged for Dogs, but as long as it's just the yeast in the ingredients it's fine for cats too..

Originally Posted by 3CatHouse

Actually I just asked my vet about this tonight (Both Max & Abbey have dandruff).. She recommended Brewer's Yeast. She said you can usually get it at Walmart and it usually is packaged for Dogs, but as long as it's just the yeast in the ingredients it's fine for cats too..

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You can get brewers yeast anywhere. Even off that site I gave earlier. It's just a supplement and a lot of people use it too.

if her feet are dry, you can try 'bag balm', it really helps. You can buy it at a CVS or any drug store. comes in a green tin with small red flowers

Originally Posted by RarePuss

if her feet are dry, you can try 'bag balm', it really helps. You can buy it at a CVS or any drug store. comes in a green tin with small red flowers

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They have bag balm at that www.vitamins.com too! They have everything and it's 70% off!

The Science Diet may have too much cereal (grain) in it, which can cause dandruff in some cats. Jamie was getting dandruff from a brand with beet pulp in it. Once I stopped giving him that, the dandruff got much better, and completely disappeared once he started getting salmon oil capsules with Omega fatty acids on a regular basis for an auto-immune disorder.
Many higher quality foods actually contain brewer's yeast and/or Omega fatty acids.