How to Care for Your Cat’s Fur

As a cat owner, you likely know the pleasure of petting and cuddling your cat. It’s one of the best things about having a cat, and having a healthy cat with a shiny coat of soft fur makes it easier to tolerate the minor annoyances of living with a cat. (Goodbye houseplants and bouquets of flowers!) Not only do you love petting your cat, but your cat probably enjoys it too. Showing affection through petting is a great way for you and your cat to bond. Petting your cat is also physically good for you. A nice snuggle session, likely with some ear scratching and purring involved, can lower your blood pressure, produce relaxing hormones and reduce your levels of stress hormones like cortisol. See? You knew your kitty was magic!

As a cat owner, you likely know the pleasure of petting and cuddling your cat. It’s one of the best things about having a cat, and having a healthy cat with a shiny coat of soft fur makes it easier to tolerate the minor annoyances of living with a cat. (Goodbye houseplants and bouquets of flowers!) Not only do you love petting your cat, but your cat probably enjoys it too. Showing affection through petting is a great way for you and your cat to bond. Petting your cat is also physically good for you. A nice snuggle session, likely with some ear scratching and purring involved, can lower your blood pressure, produce relaxing hormones and reduce your levels of stress hormones like cortisol. See? You knew your kitty was magic!

Why Isn’t Your Cat’s Coat Shiny?

There are several reasons why your cat’s coat might have lost its sheen. Here are a few of them, though this list is by no means complete.

1. Poor nutrition.

Good nutrition is just as important for your cat as it is for you. If you’re feeding your cat low-quality food it might not have enough vitamins and minerals or may be hard to digest, which means your cat isn’t absorbing the available nutrients as well. You also might consider switching to grain-free pet food. Sometimes cats won’t tolerate grains well, and this can lead to skin irritation and a dull coat.

2. Weight problems.

More than half of cats in the US are overweight or obese. This can lead to a dull coat since an overweight cat is less able to reach its whole body for grooming. If your cat has dandruff down the center of its back and the base of its tail, this could indicate that your cat’s weight is making them unable to groom. If your cat is overweight, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet about creating a plan of action. They’ll be able to help you figure out how much weight your cat needs to lose and what kind of low-calorie diet to put your cat on. If your cat loses weight too quickly, it can be dangerous to them. Cats are susceptible to a serious liver disease called hepatic lipidosis if they shed pounds too fast. Consider that it took time for your cat to gain its weight; it’s ok if it takes some time to lose it too.

3. Age.

As your cat ages, they may lose flexibility, possibly due to arthritis, which makes it more challenging to groom themselves. You’ve probably watched your cat’s grooming session—it takes a lot of twisting and turning to reach their whole body! If your cat’s age is preventing them from grooming themselves regularly and completely, it’s time to step in. Brush your cat regularly, and watch their coat improve. A fine-toothed comb is recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association. Older cats may also benefit from an Omega-3 supplement.

4. Bathing too frequently.

Too many baths can dry out your cat’s skin, and leech moisture from its fur. While bathing may seem to help with dandruff, it can exacerbate the issue by making the skin drier. The National Cat Groomers Institute recommends bathing your cat every 4-6 weeks at most. Less frequently is also fine too, as long as your cat seems clean enough. Of course, there are other factors to consider, like whether your cat is an indoor cat or an outdoor cat, what type of coat they have, and their grooming behaviors. Many vets recommend only bathing your cat when they are actually dirty, as this will preserve their natural moisturizing oils on the skin and fur. After you shampoo kitty, use a cat-safe conditioner to replace any moisture lost to soapy shampoo. If you are bathing your cat frequently to deal with fleas, consider switching to monthly topical flea medicine.

5. Health issues.

Since dry skin and dull fur can be a sign of an underlying health issue, it might be a good idea to have your cat checked out by your vet. Things like allergies, diabetes, infection, or autoimmune disorders can all cause a dull coat and irritated skin. Hopefully, though, it’s just something simple, like dry winter air that’s aggravating your cat’s skin.

Cat Nutrition for a Healthy Coat

Your cat’s coat is an incredible thing. Did you know that cats use their coats to receive sensory information? A healthy coat of fur protects your cat from the elements and also helps your cat manufacture the important Vitamin D, just like your skin!

How to Bring Back Your Cat’s Shiny Coat

Now that you know about some of the causes of dry skin and a dull coat of fur in your cat, let’s talk about brushing. Your cat likely does a fine job of grooming themselves, but extra brushing is not only pleasurable (usually) to your cat, but it also increases circulation. In addition, brushing helps to remove skin flakes, dirt, grease, and dead hair from their coat that your cat might not be able to do with just their tongue. Choose a brush or comb based on your cat’s hair and coat type. A cat with long hair might need a different kind of brush than a cat with short hair. Also, consider a metal brush that removes your cat’s undercoat. This reduces the amount your cat will shed. Before you brush your cat, inspect their body for any small cuts, scrapes, or bald patches. Bald patches can mean there’s something else, like stress or fleas, going on with your cat. Try brushing your cat once or twice a week and watch their coat start to glow!

Pet Releaf CBD and a Healthy Coat of Fur

If you want to support your cat’s healthy coat, look no further than Pet Releaf’s CBD products for cats. If stress is having an impact on your cat’s grooming, CBD helps with stress from traveling, hospitalization, moving, or other changes in your cat’s environment that may be causing them stress. CBD may help keep your cat calm and relaxed, no matter the situation. If allergies are changing your cat’s fur, or irritating its skin, CBD may also help! CBD helps maintain a normal moisture level in your cat’s skin and supports overall skin health. Does your cat have sensitive skin? CBD offers support for cats with sensitive skin and helps maintain overall skin health. Is an illness wreaking havoc with your cat’s coat of usually shiny fur? CBD helps support the immune system as well as your cat’s natural detoxification processes.

Pet Releaf is one of kind in the pet supplement industry! They’ve been awarded three important certifications from the National Animal Supplements Council, the U.S. Hemp Authority, and USDA Organic on many of their products. In addition to these prestigious certifications, they grow their own hemp in Colorado from organic hemp seeds and use sustainable and regenerative farming practices. This means that there is quality control from seed to bottle, allowing you to be rest assured that you’re giving your cat the best CBD on the market today! For your furry friend, consider Pet Releaf’s Liposome Hemp Oil 100, which has CBD mixed with a base of wild-caught fish oils. This product gives your pet the benefits of CBD and Omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are essential for the overall health of your cat. If you aren’t sure what type of CBD product is right for your cat, Pet Releaf is here to help with their product finder, which asks simple questions to determine the best product for your cat. Try Pet Releaf CBD today and see the difference that quality CBD can make.