Dry skin or a bigger problem?

My cats are shedding big time!! (Duh, it's summer.) For the first time in his 10 y/o life, one of them also pulls out his hair SOMETIMES while giving himself a bath. I've looked at his coat and skin, and there doesn't appear to be anything wrong. He is white so I can't really tell how dry his skin is (dandruff) but my experience with cats and dogs is that shedding can cause dry skin. His demeanor and everything else is perfectly normal. It doesn't hurt for me to touch him where he pulls on his hair. He doesn't pull enough out that he has bare or thin spots. He's never been a nervous cat (at least not with that behavior). Any thoughts?

Dry skin or a bigger problem?
do you brush your cat? try brushing him to get rid of the undercoat...that maybe what he is trying to void.


If the behavior continues, see a vet.


Good Luck.
Reply:Despite popular belief, you can shave your cat, and then rub lotion all over her, they dont like the shaving but they love the lotion after.
Reply:Stop the bathing my vet gave me **** for over bathing my cats and drying out their skin. Also they could have fleas so a vets visit should be in order. I add a tin of salmon in oil twice a week to their diets it really does make a difference. and I don't recommend shaving your cat at all. Good luck.
Reply:for more helpful information about skin care you can visit this helpful site http://www.skinsosilky.com hope this will help you and your pet break away from dry skin.
Reply:Someone else asked this same question and I forwarded her to this site: http://www.fleascontrol.com/cat-biting-t...





I know it says cat biting tail...but when a cat starts to bite its tail and/or hind area...it's usually related. Anyway, the site gives different possible reasons for it...but also, something interesting it says is cats can sometimes develop OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) when they just compulsively pull out hair, etc.
Reply:He's shedding his winter fur.They shed twice a year,it's normal.Feed him sardines in oil.That will help, the oil that is.


DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Buy hairball remedy at the pet supply store.
Reply:It may be dry skin, it may be a change in the household has upset him and he is aggressively cleaning due to this. If there are no bare spots, he may be hot and trying to lose his winter coat. Although he is short hair, you can try brushing him, my short haired male LOVES to be brushed, and well I'd rather brush him than sweep and vacuum lose hair
Reply:He may have a little sliver or something stuck in his skin that is not visible to the naked eye. Use a magnifying glass to see if anything is there. Try cutting the hair very short in that area and rubbing something cooling on the spot.
Reply:I actually bath my cats but we also live out in the country and do not want fleas in the house. It could be that your cat is allergic to something. Have you started using some new sprays or chemicals in your house? It could be that your cat just had and extra thick coat of fur from winter. It would probably not hurt to take him to the vet if it gets noticeable worse.


Hope everything goes well,


R
Reply:I say bathe and brush him. then take him to a vet if he doesn't stop after that.