Tips to help keep you both feeling your best.
Dry indoor air can cause your cat to have dry, itchy skin. This can lead to excess shedding and dander, exacerbating human allergies to cats. And it can cause your cat to feel uncomfortable or even be susceptible to skin infections from excessive scratching. So use the tips below to help keep you both feeling your best.
Brush it off
Daily brushing with a slicker brush followed by combing with a metal comb is one of the most effective ways to help battle your cat’s dry skin. Here’s why: As you brush, you distribute oil through the entire coat, release the dander and remove dead hair from the follicles, allowing the oil glands to work properly. The combing will remove any matting and clumping your brush can’t.
Increase the humidity
Indoor heating systems remove moisture from the air, which can lead to dry skin in both humans and cats. But humidifiers add that moisture back in, helping to alleviate issues of dry skin.
Try a diet supplement
Adding more essential fatty acids during cold, dry months can help, too. These fatty acids play a huge part in a healthy coat and supple skin, so talk to your vet about adding a few drops of salmon oil to your cat’s Purina Cat Chow a few times a week during the winter months.
Lower household stress
When your pet is stressed, you’ll see an increase in dry, flaky skin and shedding. Changes in environment or routine can cause your cat to become stressed, but some small changes can help relieve that stress, too! Just like humans, cats respond positively to soothing scents and music, lowering their stress levels. So try adding the scent of lavender to your home and softly playing classical music. Really, it’s been known to work!