I have a fifteen pound, six-year-old, black and white house cat that has an awful case of dandruff. It's mostly down the middle of his back where he really can't reach. If he is petted or brushed, the flakes are unbelieveable and rather gross! Now, this is a cat that can tolerate very little handling, so a lot of brushing is out. Is there perhaps a supplement I can add to his diet that would help. Oh, and he is also a picky eater.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), February 13, 2002

Answers

Hi Ardie.. One of my cats is a Maine Coon cat. Having dandruff and an excessively oily streak down its' back is typical with the breed, as it is with a few other breeds of cats. Brushing does help, but adding a little oil, such as bacon grease or mineral oil to the food will decrease the problem, but it may never go completely away. I also use a damp cloth and massage that area once a week or so, but then this cat loves to be brushed and massaged. You might try going to one of the pet help websites for better advice. C

-- Carole (carle@earthlink.net), February 13, 2002.

Have you tried adding fish oil to the cats food? Seems like I remember a vet recommending that we add veggie oil to our dogs food years ago for the same problem.

Kathleen in AR

-- Kathleen (krob777@msn.com), February 13, 2002.

Clovite does wonders. Available at the feed store. I feed it to my pet hog to keep his skin supple.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), February 14, 2002.

I too have two cats that have exhibited similar problems. I have found that it is usually when I have had them off a natural diet...

I try to give mine a vitamin E and an A&D capsul every week or two. Just bite into the capsul and squirt in their mouths...

The dandruff clears up in a day or two.

This also helps a lot with other health issues.

The dandruff and skin is the first symptom that something is lacking.

-- BC (katnip364@aol.com), February 19, 2002.