How to Treat Cat Dry Skin in the Winter and Beyond

Everything You Need to Know About Cat Dry Skin

No one likes dry skin. It’s the bane of everyone’s existence throughout the winter season. But a quick Google search can usually help you find easy remedies that work.Your cat, though? He’s not really a fan of the Internet unless he’s perusing memes with his favorite owner. So when cat dry skin plagues your favorite furball, there’s only one person who can come to his rescue — you!If you’re wondering how to treat cat dry skin in the winter and beyond, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find out how to giveyour feline friend some relief from the unpleasant experience of cat dry skin and if it’s a sign of other cat health problems.

Signs of Cat Dry Skin

It’s pretty easy to tell if you have dry skin, but it’s not so easy for your cat to tell you when they’re suffering from the same condition. Learning the signs of cat dry skin makes it easier for you to giveyour catthe treatment they need and make them feel better. Here are some of the most commonsigns of cat dry skinto look out for:

• Flakes on Fur (typically look like dandruff)
• Bald Spots
• Scabs or Scaly Spots
• Constant Grooming and/or Scratching
• Itching

DIY Spa Treatments for Your Cat’s Dry Skin

If you’ve ever made a homemade face mask or sugar scrub for yourself, you know how satisfying it can be to DIY a spa treatment. What better way to relax than sharing the experience with your fur baby? Here are some great at-home remedies to try to help treat cat dry skin andprovide relieffrom cat health problems:

• Hot Towel— Soak a towel in hot water and squeeze it out thoroughly before wrapping it around your cat. Five minutes spent wrapped in ahot towelcan soothe the irritation that comes along with cat dry skin and give affected areas much needed refresh.
• Oatmeal Bath— If itching is one of your cat’s main symptoms, anoatmeal bathis just the right fix. Use a food processor to break down the oats and then mix them with water to create a paste that you can spread on irritated areas of skin or use as a bath to let your cat soak in. Even ten minutes in an oatmeal bath can provide huge itch-relief foryour cat.
• Coconut Oil—Coconut oilis great for relief from cat dry skin because it can be used in more than one way. You can carefully spread some coconut oil on areas of dry skin to help moisturize and coat it inhealthy fats. If your cat would rather not have a treatment rubbed on their skin, you can also feed coconut oil to them. Try placing one teaspoon of coconut oil in your cat’s regular food each day to soothe irritated skin.
• Brush— A great way to prevent cat dry skin is toregularly brush your kitty’s gorgeous fur. Establishing a grooming routine and sticking to it will make the process easier and help keep your cat’s skin healthy. If your cat is already suffering from dry skin, brushing can still be useful, but it should be done carefully. Be sure to brush your cat’s fur gently without pressing too hard and stop if your cat seems like they’re in pain. There are natural oils in your cat’s skin that can be evenly distributed with brushing, and the process can also help remove the dandruff-like flakes that are hallmarks of itchy, dry skin.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Home remedies like hot towel soaks and oatmeal baths are great fortreatingthe uncomfortable symptoms of cat dry skin, but what else can you do to prevent cat health problems in the long run? There are some lifestyle adjustments you can make to help promote cat health and stop cat dry skin from developing in the first place. Here are some suggestions for how toavoid dry skin:

• Switch Up Diet— If your cat seems to constantly suffer from dry skin no matter what season it is, their diet might be the culprit. Consider switching your cat to a food that has high levels of protein and not too many carbs. The right cat food promoteshealthy skinand helps you (and your cat) avoid a variety of cat health problems. Make sure essential vitamins and minerals are a part of the formula too to help prevent cat dry skin.
• Consider Humidity— Did you know that the humidity level in your home can affect your cat’s skin? This is often a big problem in the winter months when the heater is on and dry air is circulating throughout the house, but there’s a simple fix: just turn on a humidifier to help make sure the air is less dry and irritating to your cat’s skin.
• Lower Stress— If your cat isfeeling stressed, their skin can become itchy and dry. Changes to your cat’s regular routine or in their environment, such as moving to a new apartment or being introduced to another furry roommate, can lead to stress. Helpyour catfeel more relaxed by spending some quality time with them and helping them get used to the transition. You could even treat them to a mini spa day with one of the DIY dry skin treatments described above for an extra skin soothing effect. Over time, they should adjust to the changes and their skin’s health should improve.
• Address Allergies— Itchy, dry skin and irritation can also be caused by allergies. If you think an ingredient in your cat’s food is behind their dry skin, work with your vet to identify the specific allergen and figure out what kind of dietary changes might be in order. Allergies that can affect your cat’s skin aren’t just limited to food. Laundry detergents and cleaning products you use around the house can also cause inflamed, dry skin. If you notice thatyour cat started to show symptoms around the same time you started using a new cleaner, they might be allergic to the product.

Could Dry Skin Be a Sign of More Serious Cat Health Problems?

Unfortunately, sometimes dry skin is a sign of a more serious problem. If your cat is suffering from persistent and unexplained skin issues and irritations, it may be time to take them to the vet to discuss these possibilities:

• A parasite (like fleas, mites and ringworm)
• Fungal and bacterial infections
• Hyperthyroidism
• Diabetes

If your cat’s dry skin is paired with moderate to severe itchiness, pustules, red skin that looks inflamed, open sores, chronic ear infections, hair loss, weight loss, increased levels of lethargy, increased instances of urination and excessive drinking or abnormal appetite, consult with your local vet right away.

Try a Supplement from Skoon

As a fur parent, you’d do anything to help your cat get the relief they need from itchy, dry skin, but somesolutionsare easier than others. And, sometimes the best solution to a problem is also the simplest. Wrangling your cat into an oatmeal bath can certainly be a chore, especially when most cats detest even the sight of water. Luckily, Skoon has amuch better option.Omega-3 Fish Oilfrom Skoon is a great cat supplement that helps prevent cat health problems like cat dry skin. It’s anall-natural supplementthat supports your furry friend’s immune system and stimulates both coat and skin health. If your cat is suffering from itchy skin or allergies,Skoon’s Omega-3 Fish Oilis an easy solution that will provide much-needed relief.Try Omega-3 Fish Oil from Skoon today to give your cat’s skin health the boost it deserves.