Kitten with dandruff!

[Deleted User]

Hi,

One of our 4 month old kittens seems to have dandruff, which I first noticed 2 or 3 weeks ago. She's a gorgeous little black cat so, of course, it shows up more!

If I google on the subject, all kinds of feline health related horror stories pop up _pale_. So I wondered if anyone here had any advice? Do I need to worry about it?

The kitten appears happy and healthy (she's currently asleep in my arm with her legs in the air, so I'm typing this one-handedly!!!). Her fur is soft and silky, but sparser than her litter mate. She's a very skittish kitty, but also very loving - lean and agile, but eats/drinks well. Oh, and she lost a baby tooth today.... bless her!

missmontana

my black cats suffers with the same thing, it may just be that she can't groom herself properly in that area. The vet said you just have to give them a helping hand! so give her a brush (when she's a it sleepy is a good time) and treat her to the odd bit of oily fish aswell

rita-rabbit

Start her on Burns dried food & examine what wet you are feeding her.

My tabby cat developed `dandruff' & vet said to put oil capsules in her food but as I have two cats I didn't think this fair on the other one (who doesn't have the flakes) and tried Burns - dandruff gone. I think it's linked to additives/rubbish in food. I also feed Aniconda Carni tinned food (1/2 & 1/2) which is also pure food.

[Deleted User]

thanks for the advice

She sems to like being brushed and it does help a little . I've come across Burns on other threads, so I'll take a look... we currently feed a wet & dry diet - Hi Life pouches, plus a mix of Hill's Natures Best and Applaws dry (all kitten food). I've tried others, but this is what they seem happiest on. For now!!!! But I did wonder if it had anything to do with the food....

podperson

Is it all over or just round one specific spot? If it's the latter she might have a skin irritation and when she scratches it the dry skin is flaking (friend's cat had this). Also has she had her flea treatment as could be another reason she might be scratching.

[Deleted User]

podperson wrote: »

Is it all over or just round one specific spot?

It's all over - a bit worse at the base of her tail, but generally there are flakes everywhere. I've been brushing again this afternoon and noticed her paw pads seem a bit dry... but I have nothing to compare to, apart from our other cat.

podperson wrote: »

Also has she had her flea treatment as could be another reason she might be scratching.

No fleas as far as I can tell. She's been checked for them by the vet, and is totally indoors so far

Hmm, I'm thinking of adding a little oily fish to their diet.... can anyone please advise what would be best, since I don't want to have any upset tums and they are still so young? Thanks!

missmontana

I give mine the sardines or mackerals in sunflower oil, but if they are still ickle then just a tiny bit will do and see how they go, a whole tin doesn't touch the sides with my lot!

missmontana

[quote=[Deleted User];42652058]It's all over - a bit worse at the base of her tail, but generally there are flakes everywhere. I've been brushing again this afternoon and noticed her paw pads seem a bit dry... but I have nothing to compare to, apart from our other cat.[/QUOTE]

Thats where my black cat Cilla gets it the worst!

cabbage

my vet recommended oily fish once a week and it seems to be helping.

[Deleted User]

Just want to thank everyone again, and say that we gave our kittens their first taste of salmon last night - we were having it for tea, so shared it around . And they thought their dreams had come true... bless 'em! Just a little bit each, to make sure we didn't upset their tums, but we'll definitely be giving them oily fish again, as a treat.

rita-rabbit

Tinned pilchards are a cheap option to feed them (human grade) too