Dull Fur In Cat

Does your cat have dull fur? Here we explain possible causes and what can be done about them.

Dull Fur Cat: What you see

Notice a dull coat on your cat? Is the coat dull, shaggy? Maybe it also looks sticky or greasy and feels uncomfortable? Are there scales, hairless spots, or does the animal seem to scratch and push itself more often? These are all signs that something is wrong.

Dull coat cat: lack of grooming

When cats get older, are overweight or e.g. For example, if you have pain in your back, you reduce cleaning more and more. This also applies to chronically ill cats that are weak.

However, since this daily fur care is extremely important for skin and fur, the result is dull cat fur, which is often also greasy. Therefore, please make sure that your cat cleans itself sufficiently. Sometimes she only leaves out areas: Then she cleans her legs, but not her back or stomach. Does she fall over while cleaning or tries in vain to reach certain places? Please contact a veterinarian!

Dull coat cat: Other causes

There are other causes of dull coats in cats:

• Nutrition: A healthy gut and a balanced supply of important nutritional components are essential for healthy skin and a thick, shiny coat. If your cat’s diet is lacking in essential fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, or trace elements (e.g. zinc), this can cause a dull coat and dry skin. A feed composition that has an unfavorable effect on the intestinal flora can also disturb the balance in the skin and coat.
• Parasites: External parasites (ectoparasites) such as B. Mites or fleas cause itching and further skin damage and can leave the cat’s fur downright broken. A heavy infestation with intestinal parasites (endoparasites). Worms, for example, disrupt the exchange of substances there and can thus indirectly lead to dull fur in cats, but such a severe infestation is now very rare.
• Metabolic diseases: Dull fur in cats occurs, for example, with an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). If there is a severe metabolic disease, there are usually other symptoms such as weight gain or loss, increased or reduced need to eat, reduced performance, changes in personality, and much more.

There are of course other conditions that cause cats to have a dull coat. If the animal has also been chronically ill for a long time, dull fur can be the result.

As a rule of thumb, a shiny, full coat that you love to stroke is a good indication of a healthy cat!

Dull coat cat: treatment for diseases

If your cat has a dull coat for a long time and/or shows other symptoms of illness, please consult a veterinarian! This will examine your cat thoroughly. In addition to the extensive physical examination, especially of the skin and fur, a blood test or similar may also be necessary.

Therapy depends on the underlying cause:

• A parasite infestation can usually be treated well with appropriate medication.
• Changing the diet can counteract a dull, rough cat’s coat, e.g. B. previously important components were missing or the cat does not tolerate the original food (food allergy). For this purpose, it is advisable to consult an animal nutrition expert who will take a close look at the feeding.
• If the cat no longer cleans itself (properly), research into the cause is the order of the day. Do you lack mobility due to age or being overweight? Is she in pain and if so, where? Then you will see how you can help her. If the necessary cleaning activity cannot be fully restored, you can provide support.

Dull fur cat: home remedies

Does your cat have a somewhat dull, shaggy coat, but otherwise seems fit and healthy? If the health check at the vet was normal and the food is fine, you can try the following.

In long-haired cats or those with a lot of furs, regular brushing helps to stimulate blood circulation in the skin and remove dander. The skin fat is well distributed, loose hair is removed and the coat is groomed again. Especially when changing coats in spring and autumn, the coat can look a little dull as long as the winter and summer coats are mixed. That’s not a problem, but it should go back to normal on its own.

If your cat is no longer able to clean itself so well, you can – after clarification of the cause! – help a little. You can clean your cat’s fur with brushes, but also with a slightly damp, warm washcloth. Most house tigers are very grateful for this support because they feel uncomfortable with dirty fur!

Dull fur cat: conclusion

Dull fur in a cat can but does not have to, indicate a serious internal disease. Sometimes even minor changes are enough to fix the problem. However, please have it checked out by a veterinarian to prevent pain or serious consequences for your cat.