Mary Allen
Your cat’s fur is not soft and shiny, but rather shaggy and dull? Dull and protruding fur on cats not only looks ugly but can even be caused by illness. How to treat dull fur and what helps if the cat has greasy fur?
A dull, shaggy coat can be a sign of malaise and illness in cats. In this article, you can find out how to recognize it, what it can indicate, and how you should deal with it.
Signs of a dull coat in the cat
Cats typically have silky-soft fur that’s so delicate you can barely feel it under your fingers when the cat brushes against you. Pedigree cats in particular can have different coat structures: long, short, silky, or rather fluffy; However, they always have one thing in common: the fur is shiny, clean, does not smell, and feels smooth and pleasant.
Dull fur, on the other hand, looks different. The fur stands up on the back, is shaggy, lackluster, and scaly. It often feels sticky or greasy, smells a little unpleasant, or is greasy. Sometimes the cat scratches more often or has bald spots on different parts of the body, for example on the back, at the base of the tail, or between the flanks.
Causes of dull cat fur
Cat fur can become dull and lose its beauty for a variety of reasons. These are the most important reasons:
Lack of grooming
Cats are very clean animals that are extremely careful about their personal hygiene. However, sometimes they are prevented from doing regular personal hygiene. Old, weak, and sick cats are often less flexible, have pain with certain movements, and can no longer reach all parts of their body to clean them sufficiently.
Even obese cats often have problems grooming their body and coat because of their body mass, as they are less mobile and their body size is too large.
If you want to know how you can support your cat with grooming, then you should definitely read our article “Grooming cats – how to properly care for your cat’s fur!” look at.
Parasites
In the case of parasitic diseases, a distinction is made between ecto- and endoparasitic diseases. Both forms can trigger dull fur. Ectoparasites are parasites that attach themselves to the surface of the skin or even burrow into the skin.
They include, for example, mites, fleas and ticks. These often cause itching, which is why the cat starts scratching or rubbing itself, causing the coat to suffer. Endoparasites are for example worms. They usually sit in the gastrointestinal tract and take away important nutrients from the cat. These nutrients are then missing for a healthy, shiny coat.
With an endoparasitic disease, the cat often loses weight and is weaker. Antiparasitics help with both ecto- and endoparasites. You can get this from the vet.
Mushrooms
Especially in animals with a weakened immune system, fungi sometimes settle in the skin, primarily on tiny skin injuries. Sometimes they also grow in the mouth, in the lungs or in other organs. They lead to growths and often painful skin and coat changes. Mushrooms must be treated with certain medications that are available from veterinarians.
Allergies and food intolerances
Like humans, cats can have allergies or food intolerances. Cats often do not tolerate a certain protein source. This can manifest itself in itching, a dull coat, diarrhea and weakness. Pollen, dust or other allergens can also trigger allergies in a cat with changed fur, hair loss and general discomfort. A special test at the vet and an elimination diet can provide information about the type of allergy.
Malnutrition
Cats, like all living things, are delicate organisms that are easily thrown off balance. Their metabolism and their cells function according to regulations that quickly become unbalanced if there is a lack of a certain nutrient.
Cats that receive too little food or are fed too one-sidedly often have various nutrient deficiencies, for example vitamins and trace elements. Dental problems can also lead to the cat not eating enough food.
On the one hand, this deficiency robs the cats of the strength to look after themselves adequately, on the other hand, the body has no capacity to waste energy on beautiful fur. The fur becomes dull and shaggy.
Metabolic disease
A functioning metabolism guarantees the sufficient supply of energy to every cell in the body of a living being. The metabolism itself is controlled by very sensitive mechanisms. It is primarily based on hormonal regulatory mechanisms. A particularly important metabolic organ is the thyroid gland. Your hormone, thyroxine, is crucial for a functioning use of energy in the cell and for cell growth.
When the thyroid produces too little or too much thyroxine, the metabolism becomes unbalanced. The cat changes its weight and appearance, sometimes even its behavior. Since the cells are restricted in their functionality, the fur structure also changes. Cats often suffer from hair loss without itching, shaggy, greasy fur and scaly skin. A disease of the thyroid gland can be diagnosed by the vet and can be controlled with appropriate medication.
Other metabolic diseases can also lead to changes in the cat’s skin and hair. These diseases include, for example, diabetes mellitus type I and type II or pancreatic insufficiency.
Mental illness
Cats can also become mentally ill and develop stereotypical behaviors. Often, a lot of stress or poor posture leads cats to develop mental illnesses, such as starting to hurt themselves by scratching or biting themselves. Sometimes, out of dissatisfaction, they become unclean and urinate or defecate in the home.
Psychological stress is often triggered by a drastic change in the cat’s life, for example when a strange animal moves into the family, when she has to change families or when her territory changes in the form of a move.
But even cats that are kept as solitary cats without freedom often show behavioral problems. They lack interaction with other cats. Domestic cats should therefore always be kept in pairs. This is also good for grooming, as they often support each other.
Other diseases that are often associated with a coat change
- Diseases of the immune system, for example atopy or lupus erythematosus;
- Imbalances in the sex hormones, for example in the case of cystic changes in the ovary;
- Kidney disease, such as chronic kidney failure;
- liver diseases;
- Infectious diseases, for example feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) or the feline leukemia virus (FelV);
- Tumorous event.
Treating a dull coat in a medical condition
If your cat has a ragged, greasy coat, bald patches, changes in behavior, is eating less, is losing weight, is weaker, or just seems unhappy, then you should take her to a veterinarian. He usually knows what to do and, with the right tests, can give good tips on how to do something good for the cat. Sometimes only medication, regular washing, or a change in diet can help with therapy. Our article “Cat only eats dry food” can provide information about the right diet for your beloved cat.
Tip: dietary supplements
Sometimes specific supplements can help improve coat texture. These include, for example, brewer’s yeast, which stimulates the skin’s metabolism, pastes or salmon oil with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support the shine and silkiness of the coat. Also *coconut oil with its lauric acid can help to reduce open skin wounds or skin eczema and relieve itching. A balanced diet with sufficient protein and vitamins is essential for keeping your cat’s skin and hair healthy. It is best to consult your veterinarian about dietary supplements to provide your cat with the best possible care.
What can you do about dull cat fur?
Cats in which disease has been ruled out as the cause of a dull, greasy coat require more intensive care. Older cats in particular should be given regular, at best daily, help with grooming. In the case of obese cats, in addition to daily grooming, care should be taken to bring the weight back into a normal range with a change in diet and more exercise. Care sprays (e.g. AniForte Fellharmonie Coconut) can also be used to further support coat care.
Regular brushing is especially important during the shedding season. It prevents the cat from swallowing too much hair. In the worst case, these can lead to intestinal obstruction. So that the hair does not end up in the gastrointestinal tract in the first place, you should regularly provide your cat with cat grass. In our article “Effect of cat grass – do cats need cat grass?” you learn more about it.
After brushing, loose hair and stubborn dirt can be removed from the coat with a damp hand or a damp washcloth. You will be amazed at how much loose hair you can still find on your hand despite intensive brushing. Therefore, carry out this step consistently after each brushing.
If possible, you should avoid soap when cleaning and grooming your dog. It destroys the layer of fat around the hair, which protects the cat from moisture and dirt. Regular brushing also promotes a strong bond between you and your cat. If you want to learn more about grooming cats, then you should read our article “Grooming cats – how to properly care for your cat’s fur!” look at.
Conclusion
Dull cat fur can have many causes: Various diseases, stress, or physical limitations. If in doubt about the cause of shaggy hair, greasy coat, and scaly skin, it is best to consult the veterinarian. He can advise you and intervene immediately in the event of serious illnesses. It makes sense to support the cat in grooming with regular brushing. This way you will have a happy and healthy cat with a beautiful silky shiny coat for a long time.