Some people hate cat hair because it takes over our homes, while others love the feel of it when they pet their cat. Yet there's a lot we don't know about cats' coats, which are a key indicator of your cat's health. A coat needs plenty of care to stay clean, soft and silky. We'll answer your questions on the subject.
Parasites Hiding in Your Cat's Coat
Can a cat have fleas?
Contrary to what you might think, a cat with fleas doesn't necessarily scratch. The itching isn't directly caused by the fleas but by an allergy to the bites of these parasites. We recommend looking closely at your pet's coat for black specks. You can also comb your kitty and check whether small black specks are caught in the comb.
Another way to detect fleas is to dampen your pet's fur with a cotton pad and see whether red spots appear where you wiped. If you see some, it's flea dirt, which confirms those pesky critters are there!
Can your cat's coat harbor lice or dandruff?
A cat can have lice, but not the same ones as humans or other animals. Each pet species has its own lice and they can't be passed between species. It's fairly rare in cats and is mostly found in stray cats. As for dandruff, it can happen when a cat has trouble grooming and getting rid of dead skin. This concerns senior cats, sick or obese cats, or it may be linked to issues such as dry skin, an unsuitable diet , skin parasites, etc.
If you find lice or dandruff on your pet, see your vet: there are very effective treatments.
What about ticks?
Be careful with ticks, as they carry a serious risk of disease for your cat, and sometimes for you too. They don't cause itching, so you'll need to look carefully through your pet's coat to spot them, for example while brushing or bathing. Through their saliva, ticks can pass fairly serious diseases to your cat, such as Lyme disease, feline hemobartonellosis or ehrlichiosis. We recommend checking your cat regularly and getting rid of ticks with spot-on treatments or sprays.
A Cat's Coat: An Indicator of Their Health
Is a greasy coat normal?
The only cats with naturally greasy fur are Persian cats. Apart from them, greasy, dirty or dull fur isn't normal: cats are supposed to keep their coat in good condition. If your cat can't clean their fur properly and keep it shiny and clean, it may be due to obesity, arthritis or depression, for example. Either way, whether it's a diet issue or something else, they probably have a health problem and you should see a vet.
How does fur color change over time?
The coat often turns white, although not always. Humans and dogs are affected more often than our favorite four-legged friends. Still, white hairs will probably appear in their coat. In black cats, the fur won't turn white but will tend toward red. Siamese cats, on the other hand, will see their fur darken.
Care and Grooming Shouldn't Be Overlooked
Is there a way to stop cats from shedding?
No, outdoor and indoor cats alike shed their hair to adapt to the seasons. However, if your pet loses so much hair that they have large bald patches in their coat, it may be a sign of irritation or anxiety, and you should see a vet. We advise brushing their coat regularly to remove dead hair and stop it from spreading all over your home. You'll find dedicated brushes in our Chic et Chat store: very high quality and designed based on feedback from several vets.
What can you do about matted fur?
Generally speaking, cats can untangle their knots on their own while grooming. But for one reason or another, knots sometimes form and stay put. You need to act fast, because things can get out of hand and require a professional groomer. The best thing to do is brush your cat as a preventive measure, one to three times a week depending on the length of their fur. A long-haired cat needs more care than other cats.
Can a cat swallow their own hair?
Yes, it happens often. Usually, cats get rid of this hair through their stools or by vomiting. However, if you see your cat vomiting regularly, that's not normal: they must be swallowing too much, and there's a risk of intestinal blockage. Fortunately, the answer to this problem is fairly simple: once again, brush your cat regularly with a suitable brush. It will greatly reduce the amount of loose hair and stop them from swallowing it while grooming. If the problem persists, talk to your vet, who can prescribe a medication that helps pass hairballs through the stools.
We hope you enjoyed this article. You now have no excuse not to pamper your favorite feline!
Also worth reading: Top 10 Most Beautiful Long Haired Cat Breeds
