Having a cat with skin problems is a nightmare for both the cat and its pet parent. Nevertheless, many of these are curable and one of the ways you can solve this issue is through home remedies.
Read on to find out more about 5 home remedies that you can try to help treat your cat’s skin problems.
My cat has patches of fur missing and sores
There are a variety of reasons why your cat has skin problems. Fortunately, many of the reasons aren't significant or indicate a potentially dangerous illness.
However, if you observe any changes in your cat's health or behaviour, or before attempting anything new, you should always contact your veterinarian. The reasons are as follows:
- Food allergies
- Environmental allergies
- Dehydration
- Fleas and ticks
- Ringworm
- Lack of nutrients
- Excessive grooming
Why try home remedies?
Home remedies for cat skin problems are usually made from natural ingredients, is easy to use and are a great alternative to try out if your cat has itchy, dry or flaky skin. The majority of these home remedies are everyday items you have access to at home or in stores near you, making this method very convenient.
5 home remedies for cat skin problems
Here’s a list of home remedies you can try for different types of cat skin issues:
Oatmeal
To treat itchy cat skin, you can use oatmeal remedies. Oatmeal is highly beneficial for cats in many ways as it has a high protein and fat content when compared to other cereal grains. The high protein content can be digested and used by your cat's body, and it also obtains a healthy balance of amino acids.
Firstly, you can soak your cat in an oatmeal bath. Just mix grounded oatmeal into a warm bath and slowly pour the fluid over their body using a cup. You can apply a little amount of the oats straight to any regions that are infected.
After massaging the oatmeal into your cat's skin and allowing it to soak for 10 minutes, rinse it off with warm water. This aids in the formation of a protective barrier on your cat's skin, which retains moisture.
Additionally, you can introduce oatmeal into your cat’s diet. However, because this is preferably intended as a cat treat rather than a whole meal, as it can only be used as a supplementary meal choice for the cat.
Essential oils
Another alternative would be to try out coconut oil for cats' itchy skin. This essential oil is an excellent moisturiser for dry, flaking skin.
Because of its high lauric acid concentration, it possesses antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal qualities that help soothe and cure injured skin.
Therefore, coconut oil is an excellent treatment for a variety of illnesses caused by viruses and bacteria.
For ear edge dermatitis, you can try soothing it with olive oil. This oil is great when it comes to fur and skin health. It consists of healthy fats, like polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are vital to ensure your cat’s skin stays healthy, soft and appropriately moisturised.
Gentle cleaning with a cotton swab or gauze soaked in vegetable oil can assist in the removal of wax and grime accumulation. Remember that the ear canals of cats make a right-angle curve at the base of the ear, and avoid jamming anything too far into the ear canal.
Apple cider vinegar
For fleas and ticks, cat skin scabs treatment with apple cider vinegar won't kill the fleas. However, it will force them to leap off your cat's body, allowing you to better deal with the problem.
This makes it a fantastic first line of defence in your cat’s flea battle. Spray the apple cider vinegar and water mixture onto your cat's coat in a 2:1 ratio.
Fleas are a finicky lot, so you may need to put vinegar on your cat's fur a few times to get rid of them altogether.
Plain yoghurt
Your cat's skin will benefit greatly from plain, unsweetened, unflavored yoghurt. For quick, cooling comfort, gently apply to the afflicted region. If your cat isn’t allergic, add a few tablespoons once a week to their meals.
Plain yoghurt includes helpful bacteria that will aid in digestion, and strengthen your cat's immune system, therefore help it battle any skin allergies or infections it may have.
Lemon
Lemons contain citric acid, which is powerful and treats cat skin problems naturally, especially fleas. Fill a spray bottle halfway with diluted lemon juice and spray your cat on areas where it has skin issues. Work it gently into their fur and make sure to avoid its eyes.
How to prevent cat skin problems with home remedies?
Cat skin problems may be avoided by doing simple things like taking your cat to the doctor on a regular basis and keeping an eye on their cleanliness.
To moisturise their skin, cats with dry skin and dandruff can benefit from a full omega 3 & 6 oil combination in their food. It's simple to keep their coat allergen-free by grooming and maintaining it on a regular basis.
Overall, the greatest method to encourage healthy skin from the inside is to keep your cat clean and offer them a well-balanced diet. For instance, PetCubes Raw Cat Food is able to provide your cat with not only a diet that is well rounded but also filled with nutrients that can help nurse your cat back to its optimal health in no time.
Incorporating vitamins and supplements into their regular regimen might also help your cat maintain its good health. You can try PetCubes’ Wholistic Pet Organics Supplements, which contains no fillers, chemicals, artificial colours or preservatives.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there are many remedies available to soothe your cat’s skin problems. Give it a try and see how it can help your cat’s health. Have a talk with your vet to see which natural remedies mentioned above will best suit your kitty.
Reviewed by:
Dr Francis is one of the top wildlife nutritionists in Asia. Originating from Montreal, Canada, he left at 21 to pursue his Masters and subsequently a PhD in wildlife nutrition at Oxford Brookes University. Instead of taking the path of common animal science to learn about farm animals, or through the veterinarian space and taking a certificate in nutrition, he took the road less travelled to dive deep into the world of animal ecology, metabolism and nutrition.