Pet Skin Doctor
Pet Skin Information
Archive for the ‘Cat Skin’ Category
Why does my pet have dry skin? This is a question we hear often at Pet Skin Doctor. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer that will fit all. Dogs, cats and ferrets can all experience dry skin or even worse skin problems.
However, there are a few things that you can do to help manage and possible even combat pet dry skin. First, and most important, is proper pet care. This includes clean feeding and bedding areas, the appropriate diet and regular exercies. ”Proper: depends on the type and age of your pet. Next, we discuss preventative care, including flea treatment, daily use of an all-natural food supplement and/or an all-natural skin therapy lotion for pets with current conditions or that are pre-disposed to have a condition.
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Though they are not the most popular feline friend of choice, the hairless cat, or Sphynx – as they are commonly known, are just as affectionate, playful, curious and intelligent as any pet can be. People are often curious about what this unique cat requires in daily care.
The Sphynx breed is best suited for experienced cat owners because of it’s required cat skin care routine. Their skin needs sponging almost daily, ears need regular cleaning, and they require warm conditions since they don’t tolerate cold well.
If you’ve noticed your pet has been scratching, licking, chewing and/or biting more often than usual, you’ll want to take a serious look over of their skin and coat. Of course you’ll be looking for evidence of fleas, usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, a symptom of an underlying health problem is pet skin allergies. On the surface of the skin you will find red, irritated and/or dry patches of skin, as well as possible areas of hair loss or even open sores (depending on how long your pet has been itching or chewing the area).
The most common pet skin allergies are from parasites, such as flea saliva (not necessarily a major flea infestation as just one flea bite can cause an allergic reaction in some animals), an allergic reaction to a food, ingredient or by-product, or a hypersensitivity to pollen, wool, dust mites or other inhalant or contact allergens.
I know that it is not something that pet owner’s like to hear, but your pet can develop a food allergy or may lack proper nutrition caused by their daily pet food intake. Perhaps you’ve been feeding them the same brand or type of food for years and suddenly it seems to be causing pet skin conditions.
It may be a high quality pet food full of nutrients or a less expensive food containing mostly grains. A dog, cat or even ferret can develop a food allergy at any time and to any food, ingredient or food by-product. In fact, many animals who develop pet skin conditions, a symptom of an underlying cause, is due to a food allergy.
Cat Skin Problems Should Not Be Ignored
Friday, February 12, 2010
posted by Essential Needs @ 10:45 AM
If your feline friend has been acting oddly lately; perhaps she’s constantly scratching, licking, chewing or biting. Maybe you’ve noticed a little more shedding than usual? It’s very likely your pet has a cat skin problem if you’ve noticed any of the above or worse.
Cat skin problems are not something that should be ignored. They will not go away on their own, because they are typically a sign of something worse. The problems will turn into nasty hot spots or open sores. Excessive loss of hair can take years to grow back. It’s time to take action! The above signs are symptoms of an underlying cause most commonly known as skin allergies. Your cat may be allergic to their food, fleas or another parasite, grass or pollen, or even her favorite resting chair!
Pet Itchy Skin? Not Just Caused By Fleas
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
posted by Essential Needs @ 9:52 AM
If you’ve suddenly realized that your dog, cat or ferret is constantly scratching, licking or chewing their skin your first thought may have been, “Oh no! Not fleas!” You start to itch yourself at this thought! You call Fido over and get him to roll on his belly, checking that and his armpits, looking for the little nibblers. You don’t discover fleas, but instead a patch of red and irritated skin. Or maybe even a couple of patches.
The good news? It’s not fleas! The bad news? Pet itchy skin, if not caused by fleas, means you have a potentially larger problem on your hands. Sorry, but it’s best to deal with it as quickly as possible. First, you should attempt a way to keep your pet from getting at the area any longer. Next, make an appointment with your vet and then minimize the long-term effects on your pet’s coat and skin by treating the area with an all-natural skin therapy lotion while you research and monitor your pets condition until proper diagnosis can be made.
Cat Hot Spots Are Symptoms of an Underlying Cause
Monday, January 18, 2010
posted by Essential Needs @ 3:03 PM
The first sign that your cat may be suffering from a skin problem may be what is referred to as a hot spot. A “hot spot” may be a crusty, red and possibly even ooozing patch of skin. In some cases, hair loss may occur as well.
The most common conditions which can cause cat hot spots are abscesses, bacterial infection, eosinophilic granuloma, eosinophilic plaques, flea allergy dermatitis (also known as flea bite hypersensitivity), miliary dermatitis in cats, pyoderma-deep, ringworm, and squamous cell carcinoma.
Unlike their favorite canine rivals, cats appear to care for their skin very well on their own. Consistently grooming themselves, making their coat soft and shiny, and not rubbing in nasty, god-knows-what! So what proper cat skin care responsibilities belong to the pet owner?
Starting from the inside out, make sure your feline friend is receiving a proper, nutritional diet. Grooming your cat yourself is important in oreer to help shed old skin and hair. It also gives you the opportunity to look over their body, skin and coat for potential problems, such as fleas or signs of allergy. Just because her coat is shiny and soft, doesn’t mean there can’t be problems under the surface.
Since many breeds of dogs (and even cats) are prone to sensitive skin or certain types of skin infections, you must first rule this out as a cause for your pet’s dry skin. Dry, flaky skin, with or without other symptoms may be a sign of a more serious underlying health problem with your pet. It may be a simple diagnosis and fix, such as poor nutrition, or a more complicated issue, such as allergies.
It’s important that the cause of pet dry skin is properly diagnosed prior to treatment. However, because diagnosis may take some time, there are two recommendations made for immediate action. First, do the best you can to prevent your pet access to the area of dry skin – no licking, chewing or scratching it. Secondly, you may apply a skin therapy lotion to help prevent infection and possibly even temporarily heal the area.
The absolute best advice we can give on pet skin care is this; do your homework. The type of pet you own, it’s breed and the age of the animal is going to affect what constitutes as proper pet skin care. Although we can promise you that there are some very basic important commonalities.
Proper nutrition, exercise and grooming are your top three. When, where and how often are up to your lifestyle and type of pet. Other tips include having a routine and doing the best you can to keep undue stress to a minimum. Even a slight change in you and your pet(s) routine can be upsetting to your furry friend. Most pet owner’s acknowledge how stressful bringing home a new pet can be for the new addition, current pets and of course, family. But remember that traveling (theirs and/or yours!), unusual visitors and trips to the vet can cause a ripple in their steady stream of day-to-day like as well.