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Cat with eczema
Hello, our cat seems to eczema (or dandruff, I'm not sure if there's a
difference). Against my better judgement the cat's other parent started bathing it, and it was a little while after this that the eczema started. I'm something of a minimalist when it comes to cat care, and throughout my childhood we never bathed any cats, and they always kept themselves perfectly clean. So to be honest, I'm a bit suspicious of the whole cat-bathing concept. The vet prescribed some tea-tree-oil shampoo, so now the cat is being bathed with that, which cures the problem for a short time, but it soon comes back, needing more bathing. I'm tempted to stop the bathing altogether, which will mean living with a flakey cat for a while, but I wonder if the cat's coat and skin will right itself and the problem will go away. Any thoughts on any of this? Incidentally, the problem seems to be a purely cosmetic one, and the cat itself is entirely unconcerned (except it's not too fond of baths). Cheers! Martin |
#3
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Cat with eczema
On 1 May, 05:48, Rhonda wrote:
Martin, I would not bathe a cat unless it got into something harmful or needed it for a medical reason. I think you're right -- cats are very clean on their own. Our vet says the first thing they try with otherwise healthy cats with flaky skin, is omega 3 (fish oil caps) in the diet. You might want to read this: http://www.catchannel.com/experts/ar...ick-cat-dandru... Good luck, Rhonda Hi Rhonda, Thanks for the helpful reply, good link, I will try some omega 3 caps. Martin |
#4
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Cat with eczema
wrote
Hello, our cat seems to eczema (or dandruff, I'm not sure if there's a difference). Against my better judgement the cat's other parent started bathing it, and it was a little while after this that the eczema started. suspicious of the whole cat-bathing concept. The vet prescribed some tea-tree-oil shampoo, so now the cat is being bathed with that, which cures the problem for a short time, but it soon comes back, needing more bathing. Groan. First, please stop bathing the cat. Though there can be reasons to have to do it (heavy flea country for example like where I am so a true flea dip may be required), it shouldnt be done gratuitously. Reason is the cat's skin doesnt produce the right oils enough to withstand much bathing. Result? Exactly what you have going on. Second, you may want to reconsider that vet. Selling you tea tree oil shampoo? Third, treatment is real simple. Before going any expensive route, this is almost sure to work and will *not* harm the cat. Slightly more expensive version is omega 3 oils which one here recommended. Less expensive version, start adding fats (oils) to your cat's diet. It doesnt have to be much. 1 TS of olive oil per meal is what I mostly use. Thats probably more than needed but harmless. Adding to that the best is to vary the oil/fat a little bit. Others use the oil from an oil packed tuna can (which I do too but only now and again). I vary this with other things like a little dab of duck fat (I cook duck about every 6 weeks so save the fat for cooking and the cat and dog get a little as a treat). Those little fat globs inside a chicken? I peel out a little and nip it up then add just a pinkynail worth for the next day or so (holds fresh in the fridge about 3 days). Bacon fat works too. The bacon fat one they really like. Don will have bacon now and again and once the pan is cooled, we pour off the fat then let them lick the pan g. I have a high shed cat and dog but have no furball problems or skin problems. I've had many other cats over time and some of them were slightly sensitive to some oils. Sesame oil for example isnt recommended (they dont like it much and it's prone to making them have an unhappy tummy). Corn oil was a problem for one of them (gave'em the runs, probably corn sensitive cat). I've heard of a few that are slightly sensitive to olive oil but this one is easy to have handy and rare to react badly to (I've never had one react badly to it). Rendered meat fat is never a problem unless it's a salty meat (caution, pets arent very salt tolerant so watch the bacon fat and use that just now and again unless you use sodium free bacon like we do). Cheapest method: Bake a plain chicken and pour the fat off into a jar. Keep the jar in the fridge (chicken fat will go rancid if not kept that way unlike bacon fat). Scrape off a little pinky-nail sized portion and add it ontop of the cat's food (dry or wet). Need not be melted, they like it cold just fine and will lick it up happily. Vary this with other saved unsalted meat fats such as from a fresh (unbrined! Unsmoked!) pork shoulder. Work into your cooking, the occasional meal that you don't spice or salt until after cooking and save the fats. Free pet food oil g. Hope this helps you or others! |
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