Keeping your Cat's Coat Shiny

As cat owners, it is such a delight to see and touch our cat's shiny furry coat. There can be as many as 130,000 hairs per square inch in a cat’s coat. And these hairs do many things: they give a cat sensory data, protect it from heat and cold, wind and rain and even help a cat manufacture vital nutrients like vitamin D. Although cats can be so meticulous in cleaning their furry treasure, once in a while they can lose this amazing shine.

There are a lot of reasons why a feline's coat can be dull or its skin dry and flaky. Some causes include:

• Poor nutrition. A cat needs a diet that consists a good balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fat to achieve healthy and shiny hair, skin and body. So if your feed your kitty poor quality of food then he'll end up lacking on those vital minerals and nutrients.
• Weight problems. When cats become fat or obese, it becomes difficult for them to reach their whole bodies to clean. Therefore, keeping the hair dull and ungroomed.
• Age. As cats get older, they become less flexible or arthritic. As a result, they can't twist and turn as they used to. So, age or pain could leave your cat's coat dull.
• Frequent bathing. Bathing kitty too often could bedraggle your cat's coat.

They are just few of the reasons why your feline may have dry skin or dull coat. Diabetes, parasites, skin infections, allergies, autoimmune diseases, dry winter air, or more serious issues can also be responsible. Get in touch with your vet to find out the main reason for this.

To bring back the shine of your cat's coat, here are things you can do to help.

• Boost nutrition. According to Susan G. Wynn, DVM, CVA, a cat’s skin and coat reflect what's going on inside its body. Cats need much more protein than dogs do. They also need complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats to help them maintain a healthy body and shiny coat. A diet that’s low-fat, or consists mostly of generic, poor-quality foods will definitely cause a poor-quality coat. Switch to a premium brand of cat food if you are on such situation. You can also try supplementing you cat with fatty acids that are found in salmon and fish oils. If you are already giving your cat premium cat food and is still experiencing dull coat, switch to another high quality cat food with completely different ingredients, made by a different company.
• Deal with obesity. Being heavy doesn’t just lead to a less flexible feline. Extra weight also puts your cat at risk for many of the same chronic health problems such as high blood pressure diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and cancer. If obesity is the reason behind the dull coat, visit your vet immediately so he/she can recommend a low-calorie diet for your feline. You can also schedule exercise session where you can play with cat wand toys.  I find these go cat feather toys very effective for our cats.You can also check out more of feather teasers. Also, cats need to lose weight slowly and carefully. A too-rapid weight loss in an overweight cat can lead to a serious liver disease called hepatic lipidosis.
•  Help an older cat clean its coat. Your cat may not be overweight and may have a healthy diet but if it's too old to clean properly, the result may be a dull coat or dry skin. If this is the case then you have to get involved. Brushing your senior cat more often can be kitty’s ticket back to a soft, luxurious coat. The American Animal Hospital Association suggests using a fine-toothed comb, one that can dig down a bit and catch the dull, dead hairs a brush may not reach. In addition, you can try boosting omega-3s in your cat's diet. 
• Skip baths. Vets recommend bathing your cat only when her coat is extra dirty. For instance, your cat's coat is messed with grease, something sticky, or other grime that’s hard for a cat to groom away. If you do bathe your kitty, finish with a conditioner that's specially formulated for them. If fleas have you bathing your cat frequently, you’ll save time by switching into a monthly flea treatment for them. Be careful not to use dog flea products for your cat. Also consider buying a fine-toothed flea comb.

Before changing your cat's diet, giving it supplements, planing exercise sessions or anything talk with your vet first.There are a lot of reasons for dull coat and dry skin mark sure you know the right cause behind your cat's predicament.