Why does a cat have oily fur? Cat and cat hair: how to deal with the problem if your cat is losing hair

Leaving hairs all over the apartment is common for most domestic felines. A cat's hair will fall out regardless of its breed and hair length. The only exceptions are hairless cat breeds (Sphynxes) and pets with plush skin, for example, the British.

In this article we will tell you about what cat hair is, why a cat can rapidly begin to lose precious hairs, and how to solve the problem of hair loss in a pet.

Let's start with the fact that regardless of the breed of the cat, the type of its coat (smooth, velvety or wavy), as well as the length of the hair, the coat consists of two layers: a thin inner (undercoat) and a coarser outer (protective).

The main function of cat skin is thermoregulation and protection of the skin from adverse environmental influences. In the hot season, the cat “sheds” its undercoat, the skin becomes lighter and the animal can more easily tolerate high air temperatures.

The coat is also renewed in cold weather: the pet loses fine hairs that have served the whole summer and acquires new ones, fluffier and warmer, according to the season.

Causes of hair loss in cats

Intense hair loss can be a symptom of a disease. Therefore, carefully monitor the well-being of your tailed friend.

However, it is too early to sound the alarm. If your pet shows no changes in behavior, is active and eats well, then there is most likely no cause for concern. His seasonal molting has begun.

The cat's hair is falling out: features of shedding in modern pets

Molting is common to all living things, even insects molt. And this process also does not bypass the cat. However, shedding in cats that constantly live in an apartment is special. Let us explain why.

Cats living in their natural environment shed twice a year - in spring and autumn. The processes of hair loss and regrowth are regulated in their body by the changing seasons. Pets who constantly live in an apartment lose their biorhythms that regulate the molting process. Their bodies are affected by central heating, their metabolism is disrupted by stress, poor diet, and lack of physical activity.

That is why for a cat living in a city apartment, it is important to talk about constant shedding, which does not stop throughout the year, and intensifies during the off-season.

Unbalanced diet. Common cause of hair loss in pets

If the diet is incorrectly formulated, cats often develop problems with their fur. This happens due to the fact that the pet’s body lacks nutrients, vitamins and minerals. This problem occurs when feeding a cat low-quality food or products from your own table.

Prevention of seasonal shedding. Keep your cat's fur smooth and fluffy

The basis for caring for a cat's fur during shedding is:

Proper nutrition.
To ensure that your cat’s fur retains its ideal appearance, choose only high-quality premium food. The composition of the feed must take into account the individual characteristics of the animal: its age, needs, existing problems. A pet store consultant will help you choose the most suitable food to maintain the health of your cat's coat.
The use of vitamin and mineral complexes that strengthen the coat and increase the body's immunity.
Modern manufacturers of vitamin and mineral complexes offer cat owners all kinds of products that solve various problems at different stages of the animal’s life. There are also special vitamins to solve problems associated with hair loss. Their use is especially important before the animal’s spring and autumn molting, although vitamins for fur will be useful for a cat at any time of the year.

Regular brushing with special brushes and combs.
The assortment of pet stores includes many products for caring for the coat of your beloved cats. According to the owners, the most effective “comber” is the furminator. This device doesn’t just comb out the cat’s loose hair, but removes hairs that are about to fall out. The pet does not experience any unpleasant sensations, and combing is more effective.

By following these rules, you can significantly reduce the amount of hair loss in your cat. However, it is not always possible to reduce shedding using these methods. In some cases, the pet requires more serious help.

Hormonal disorders in cats. Urgently see a doctor

Hormonal imbalances are characterized by localized hair loss. The cat develops bald spots on its back, belly, and tail. The skin in these areas turns red and peels. The animal becomes lethargic and apathetic, loses its appetite. In case of hormonal disorders, the cat requires special treatment, which is prescribed by a veterinarian after diagnosis.

Weakened immunity. The pet requires special care

Deterioration in the quality of the skin is typical for pets who have suffered serious illnesses and surgeries. In this case, cat hair loss is temporary. With proper care and care, your pet's skin will recover and will delight you again.

Worms: dull and sticky fur will not take long to appear

Worms weaken the cat’s body from the inside: they disrupt metabolic processes, suppress the pet’s immunity, and become the cause of concomitant diseases. A cat's fur, like a litmus test, reflects its overall health.

Fleas: cause scratching, scabs and allergic dermatitis

A pet infested with fleas cannot be happy. An unbearable itch torments him day and night. Fleas feed on blood and make the cat itch by making tiny bites in the animal's skin.

When treating a cat, the owner will encounter the following difficulties:

Choose and buy two different products;
Spend a lot of time - the anthelmintic is applied no earlier than 7-10 days after using the insectoacaricidal agent;
Encounter difficulties in use - often it is not easy for an animal to give medicine into the mouth.

Protection against internal parasites.

It's no secret that pets bring many pleasant moments to their owners. They, in turn, are obliged to carefully monitor the health and good mood of their pets. Proper nutrition and daily care will allow your cat to look just perfect.

Responsible pet owners regularly visit a veterinarian and monitor the health of their pets. Coat care requires special attention. It happens that a cat's hair comes out a lot. What to do? How to help your pet and prevent this from happening in the future?

Causes

First, you should determine why your cat is losing hair and think about whether the negative impact can be eliminated. However, there is no need to panic. If that doesn't mean she's dying. The reasons may be different:

Seasonal shedding. Have you noticed that your cat has a lot of hair coming out? What to do? First, take a close look at the calendar. Is your cat not looking sick and hairless, but is actively shedding excess hair? It is likely that she is simply molting. This usually happens twice a year: in autumn and spring. For “apartment” cats that do not go outside, the process may take 2-3 months. There's no need to panic. Instead of the old fur, a new beautiful fur coat will quickly grow.

Dermatitis. It can be allergic and contact. When a cat's fur comes out in clumps and obvious bald patches appear, owners have cause for concern. In the future, bald spots may become covered with scales, turn red and itch. You should immediately see a doctor and determine the cause of the disease. It is likely that this is how the animal reacts to certain foods or new food.

Flea dermatitis. If the resulting bald patches are itchy and covered with crusts and scales, there is reason to suspect a severe reaction to fleas. During this period, the cat’s temperature may rise, and it is very easy to see uninvited “guests” between the hairs.

Skin mite. The disease can be identified by bald paws and muzzle. The hair on the ears also noticeably thins, and throughout the body it becomes dull and unkempt. Self-medication is not enough; you will have to visit a veterinarian.

Lichen. In this case, the hair does not just climb, but falls out in whole pieces. Unsightly bald spots form that quickly increase in size. At the slightest suspicion, you need to show the animal to a doctor as soon as possible.

Stress. A cat can shed heavily in response to new impressions or an unusual environment. The catalyst can be the appearance of other animals in the family, a move, the birth of a baby, the death of the owner, and more.

Avitaminosis. Lack of nutrients, change of feed, seasonal manifestations, lack of certain organic compounds.

Age-related changes. The cat seems to be healthy, but the hair on the ears and face has noticeably thinned out? Your cat is already many years old. In this case, hair loss is associated with poor nutrition of the hair follicles.

Hormonal disbalance. The appearance and thickness of the coat can be affected by pregnancy, estrus, birth and feeding of kittens, and birth control drops and pills that the cat takes.

How to diagnose hair loss?

How can you tell if your cat has a lot of hair? What to do and how to help the animal?

It is simply impossible not to notice the problem. Cats with long hair lose fur so actively that literally everything becomes covered with hair. Short-haired breeds shed their hair less noticeably, but it is still noticeable. If the pussy is outwardly alert and cheerful, actively eating and playing, but the number of lost hairs has increased, there is no need to worry. We are most likely talking about a trivial molt.

You should take your pet to the vet immediately if:

The pet's behavior has changed. He is too active or apathetic, shows aggression, sleeps more than usual, scratches himself or chews out pieces of fur.
The hair falls out unevenly, and bald patches and bald spots appear.
Hair loss is accompanied by the appearance of wounds, pustules or scales.
The cat has dandruff, fungal manifestations or other troubles.

The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment. You may need to get tested.

How to help your pet?

Once your doctor determines why your cat is losing hair, treatment should begin immediately. In some cases, you can do without medications. Sometimes it is enough:

adjust the animal’s diet, add previously missing products to it, remove excess;
Regularly brush your pet with a special brush and bathe it;
do not ignore preventive vaccinations;
walk your pet more often;
calm the cat, show care and attention when it comes to stressful manifestations;
choose a special vitamin complex to improve the condition of the coat.

How to treat hair loss?

If hair loss is associated with allergies, the following measures will help:

identify the allergen, exclude salty and fatty foods from the diet;
adhere to a special balanced diet recommended by your doctor;
if you were given dry cat food, it is better to use a medicinal product for wool, recommended for animals prone to dermatitis;
add special vitamins for wool to food;
Give antiallergic drugs prescribed by your doctor.

If the dermatitis is of a flea nature, then first you need to get rid of the “neighbors”. Special preparations will help: shampoos, drops, collars or spray.

Self-treating shingles can be problematic. It is important to contact a competent specialist as quickly as possible. You will also have to:

clean all carpets, bedspreads and furniture in the house with a disinfectant;
wash and iron all clothes;
disinfect the room;
Throw away, or better yet, burn all bedding, rugs and the animal’s house.

How to choose the right vitamins?

So, you noticed that your cat's hair is shedding a lot. What to do? If you are sure that the pussy is healthy and there is no reason to visit the veterinarian, you can simply buy a special vitamin complex. The choice will depend on several factors:

age and old cats have different vitamins);
presence of pregnancy;
preservation of the ability to reproduce (castrated and sterilized animals need a special complex);
release form of the drug (gel, tablets, drops, paste);
availability of a product certificate.

Popular cat vitamins for a healthy coat

There are a lot of preparations to improve the condition of the coat. It is best if they are selected and prescribed by a doctor. The most popular vitamins for cats against hair loss are:

"Farmavit Neo";
Cat Felltop Gel;
"Vittri";
Laveta Super For Cats;
"Phytomins";
Derm Liquid;
"Sherstevit";
Derm Caps;
"Beafar";
Gimpet Katzentabs;
"Kitzim";
Kitty's + Taurin + Biotin;
Canina Cat-Fell O.K.;
"8 in 1 Brewer's yeast Excel";
"Felvit."

Furminator for hair care

To help your cat renew its coat faster and get rid of tangles, it is best to use a special device. The Furminator is perfect for long-haired cats. Initially, the word was the name of the trademark of one American company, which developed the device. Now this is the name given to all manual “combers” that combine the functions of a slicker, comb and trimmer.

A cat's fur is not like human hair. Several hairs grow from one follicle at once: central; 2-3 additional, undercoat and down. In order for the animal to look beautiful and neat, the old fur must be removed. Otherwise, your cat will shed all year round.

Regular combs are not able to process the undercoat; special combs damage the top layer of skin. The Furminator for long-haired cats does not have all these disadvantages. Outwardly, it is similar to a razor, but instead of a traditional blade, it has a special metal comb with sharpened teeth. With its help it is very easy to process the undercoat and remove dead hairs. Living hairs remain intact.

How to choose the right device?

To choose the right furminator, it is important to pay attention to the following points:

Scallop width. The larger the animal, the wider the comb should be.
Length of teeth. It should match the length of the animal's fur. Teeth that are too short will not reach the undercoat of “fluffy cats,” and teeth that are too long will not be suitable for short-haired cats.
Quality of tooth sharpening. They should be even, smooth, without nicks or irregularities. Defects in sharpening interfere with quality combing. Irregularities will tug the fur and injure the skin. To check the quality of sharpening, run the furminator over your own head. If you do not experience any unpleasant sensations, the quality of sharpening is normal. Pulling hair? The sharpening was unsuccessful.
Ejector button. Its presence allows you to get rid of hairs on the work surface in one motion. It must be remembered that such devices fail faster.
Comfortable handle. It is best if the handle is rubberized, has a convex relief and a rounded end. Hold the Furminator in your hand, feel its weight, and measure the length of the handle against your palm.

Not long ago, universal furminators went on sale. They have removable combs of varying lengths and widths. With their help you can care for several pets of different sizes. But the moving connection becomes loose over time and the device becomes unusable.

Grooming rules

A good cat hair brush is not the only thing a responsible owner will need. It is very important to bathe cats of any breed. Moreover, this must be done at least 3 times a year. Of course, the cat itself regularly cleans its fur using its tongue. But it will not be able to cope with microscopic particles of sebum and dust. Over time, they clog pores and the skin receives less oxygen. The animal's fur becomes dull, brittle and falls out more.

For bathing, you should use special products for cats: shampoos and conditioners. It is unacceptable to use “human” ones. Owners of long-haired animals have even more worries. Several times a year they need to give their pets a “dry” bath. To do this, you need to sprinkle a special powder on the animal’s fur, and after some time comb it out thoroughly.

It is very important to brush your cat properly and regularly. Long-haired dogs should undergo this procedure daily, and short-haired dogs should undergo this procedure at least 2 times a week. Combing does more than just get rid of dead hairs. It is also a kind of massage that stimulates blood circulation.

When a large lump of matted fur is discovered during combing, it is worth trying to disassemble it. If it doesn’t work out, you must definitely get rid of the tangle, for example, cut it out. If this is not done, it will increase in size and can become a source of infection or a nest for fleas.

Preventing Excessive Shedding

To keep your pet healthy and its fur not decorating your trousers, carefully monitor its diet:

do not give your animal harmful foods: spicy, smoked, salty or fried foods;
if you use ready-made food, purchase only a high-quality product from a well-known brand;
include a sufficient amount of vitamins and microelements in your diet;
do not overfeed your pet, especially if it is not young;
Take your cat to the veterinarian regularly and do not neglect the required vaccinations.

Even if your cat has never been outside, this does not mean that she cannot get sick. We bring a variety of infections home ourselves, on clothes and shoes.

Cat fur is pleasing to the eye and pleasant to the touch. There can be up to 130,000 hairs per square inch of wool. These hairs perform several functions: they serve as a “sensor” for the animal, protect against cold and rain, and even help the body produce important nutrients (for example, vitamin D).

Why isn't your cat's fur shiny?

There are many factors that can cause the coat to fade and the skin to become dry and flaky. Let's look at a few basic ones.

Poor nutrition. Maintaining a healthy coat and skin requires a high-quality cat food with the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. If your pet consumes difficult-to-digest, low-quality food, it will lack vital minerals and vitamins.

Weight problems. There are estimates that 57% of cats in the United States are obese. Fat cats have difficulty cleaning certain areas of their body (that they cannot reach). This can result in a dull, unkempt coat.

Age. Aging cats become less flexible and may develop arthritis. They can no longer squirm the way they used to, says Arnold Plotnick, a veterinarian in New York City. As in the previous case, age or pain may make it difficult to clean certain areas of the body.

Bathing too often. In an attempt to get rid of fleas (or prevent their appearance), many owners bathe their pets. If you do this too often, the animal may develop problems with its fur.

Bringing back shine to wool

Here's what you can do...

Improve the quality of your diet. The condition of the skin and coat is a reflection of the condition of the body, says Susan Wynn, veterinary nutritionist and co-author of the Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine. If the fur becomes dull or the skin becomes dry, first of all, you need to pay attention to what the cat is eating, advises Vin.

Cat food should contain more protein compared to dog food. To maintain a healthy body and a shiny coat, you need fats and complex carbohydrates. If the diet does not contain enough fat or consists of low-quality products, this will almost certainly lead to problems with the coat, says Arnold Plotnik.

Both veterinarians recommend starting with switching to a premium food. In addition, in pursuit of the shine of your cat's coat, you can try various supplements with fatty acids, such as salmon oil (remember to consult your veterinarian). According to Plotnik, the first improvements will appear no earlier than 4-6 weeks.

Fight obesity. Problematic hair on the back and at the base of the tail may be a signal that the cat cannot reach there due to its fullness. Loss of flexibility is just one of the consequences of obesity. Excess weight increases the risk of many chronic diseases: diabetes, osteochondrosis, cancer, etc.

If your pet is obese, consult your veterinarian to determine an appropriate diet. Don't do this yourself. Only a specialist will be able to correctly calculate the number of calories that an animal should consume every day. Cats should lose weight slowly. Losing weight too quickly can cause serious liver problems.

Help an elderly cat with cleaning its fur. Even if your pet is shiny and the diet is ideal, over time the cat may have difficulty cleaning itself, and subsequently develop problems with its fur and skin. In this case, the fate of the wool is in your hands in the literal sense of the word. Brush your older cat frequently. You can also try adding omega-3 fats to your older cat's diet (if your veterinarian approves).

Sacrifice your bath for wool. Arnold Plotnik believes that frequent baths can cause dry skin. Like most veterinarians, he recommends taking baths only if the cat is very dirty (in soot, in something greasy, sticky, etc.). Finish your bath with a conditioner designed specifically for cats.

Washing your cat to control your cat dander allergy is not advisable. The effect of taking a bath wears off after a few days. It is better to wash your hands more often, take anti-allergy medications and clean your apartment more often.

If fleas are the cause of frequent baths, consider using a flea-specific medication for cats. Do not use any products for dogs under any circumstances. If there is a serious flea infestation, your apartment may need to be treated.

Many owners are familiar with a similar problem: the cat’s fur on the belly seems greasy, hangs in icicles, the tail and back become greasy, and dandruff appears. Does this mean that the cat is dirty, or is it a sign of illness?

What does it look like

Oily fur looks dull and disheveled and may hang in sloppy icicles. Long hairs can roll into tangles, sometimes dandruff appears, and an oily coating or comedones (black plugs that clog pores) may be noticeable on the skin. The skin and fur in some particularly oily areas may become hyperpigmented (take on a dark or brown tint).

Often the affected area is the back and neck, behind the ears and on the collar (especially in long-haired cats with a thick “mane”), which is due to the inaccessibility of these places for licking and is most often observed in older animals and small kittens.

Oily fur in a cat: reasons

The reasons why a cat has oily fur can be very different:

unbalanced diet;
young age - small kittens still do not take good care of their fur;
old age, when it is already difficult for an animal to engage in full grooming (coat care);
any serious illness;
chronic diseases of internal organs - liver and kidneys;
problems with the thyroid gland;
hyperandrogenism - excessive production of male sex hormones that stimulate the secretion of sebum, especially in the area of the tail gland (occurs not only in males, but also in castrated animals of both sexes due to problems with the adrenal glands).

As you can see from this list, the causes of oily fur in cats are very diverse. Conventionally, they can be divided into two groups: those associated with worsening grooming (which in turn arises due to general poor health or age) and increased sebum production due to internal problems (hormonal imbalance, food intolerance, etc.).

The cat has oily fur: what to do?

Don't panic if your cat's appearance has deteriorated. Most often, the animal needs help to restore its previous appearance. Here's what you can do if your cat has oily fur:

help your pet with grooming: comb out excess hair more often, wash with a special shampoo;
review your pet’s diet, possibly change food;
if care does not help, be sure to take the kitty to the veterinarian, you may have to undergo tests and scrapings;
follow the doctor’s recommendations if any diseases have been identified;
With greasy tail in cats, most often only castration helps.

To find out why a cat's fur looks oily, you need to carefully analyze his lifestyle, nutrition, and recent changes in behavior and diet. For example, if a pet stops taking care of itself and becomes lethargic, this may be a sign of a serious illness. If a cat becomes sloppy at the age of 20, then this is a natural age-related phenomenon, and if a young animal suddenly begins to look bad after changing food, then perhaps the diet simply did not suit him.

The sloppy appearance of an animal should concern owners not only from an aesthetic point of view; they should always remember that sometimes this sign signals serious health problems. Therefore, you should not ignore the fact that the cat has a fat back or tail. If you have any doubts, you can contact your veterinarian.

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Cats are clean and handsome. In nature, whiskers take care of their fur on their own, but at home you can help them look even more luxurious. We will give 5 tips on how to improve your cat's coat.

The appearance of a pet is a mirror of its health. If a cat has bad hair, the first thing to do is take the animal to the veterinarian. Dull hairs, too much and sudden shedding, and the appearance of bald spots can be symptoms of serious illnesses. And here you can’t get by with special food, vitamins or bathing.

1. Adjust your cat's diet

A balanced diet will 99% help improve your cat's coat. If you feed your animal natural food, be sure to discuss the menu with your veterinarian. He will tell you which products to add and which to exclude.

If you feed your cat with industrial food, choose a good cat food to improve its coat. This could be GO complete cat food. It is suitable for both adult animals with different activity levels and kittens.

2. Sow grass for the cat

Set aside a place on the windowsill for a small tray of wheat germ, oats, or a special collection of “Grass for Cats” (sold in pet stores and seed stores). Such an addition to the diet will not immediately improve the cat’s fur, but the “apartment” resident will definitely like it and will affect her appearance over time.

Greens will help remove hairballs from the stomach easily. This will help avoid serious health problems (sometimes so much hair and undercoat accumulates in the stomach that surgery is required). Sprouted grass is especially relevant in the cat’s menu during periods of shedding.

What can you do to make your cat have beautiful fur? Brush it regularly. Buy a good comb/brush that matches the length of the hair and the size of the animal. Train yourself and your pet to brush at least every other day. A furminator is also a special “comb” that effectively removes dead hairs from the undercoat. It is enough to use it once a week, during the molting period - 2 times.

The cat has bad fur. What to do? Perhaps this is a seasonal molt and you just need to get through it.

Brushing does more than just improve your cat's coat. This is a simple and enjoyable procedure for most furry pets:

prevents the formation of tangles. Mats often appear in long-haired breeds with abundant undercoat; removing them is not always a pleasant procedure for the animal. Therefore, it is better to prevent tangles than to cut them later;
reduces the amount of scattered hair on furniture, floors, clothes, as dead hairs are removed with a comb;
prevents the stomach from becoming clogged with hairballs. Yes, it is impossible to remove all the dead hair from a cat, but it is possible to reduce what it eats with each wash.

4. Keep your skin healthy

5. Stop bathing your cat often

If a cat has bad fur, it is not enough to know what to do. You need to determine what not to do. For example, do not bathe your cat more than once a year. Why?

firstly, it is stress, both for the animal and for you. And stress is bad for everyone;
secondly, you wash away the natural protective layer from the fur and skin.

Fluffy takes care of his hygiene on his own. You cannot do without bath procedures in several cases:

If your pet has dirty its paws or other parts of its body, you should not bathe it all. It is enough to wash only the dirty part of the body.

There are medicated shampoos and special care products that can improve a cat's coat. Use them only after consulting a veterinarian or groomer.

What do you do to make your cat have beautiful fur? What cat food do you choose to improve their fur? Share your tips in the comments!