18 year old Persian with matting fur and dandruff

by Dianne Christopher
(Oxfordshire)

I have an 18 year old nuetered male Persian cat, he only occasionally goes outside nowadays, and has always been treated with Frontline spot on for Fleas and ticks. Up until 6 months ago he coat was fine, but then he stopped grooming himself, and it started matting up. I have always groomed him on a regualr bassis, but as he is now a bit arthritic, he does not like it very much. Of late I have noticed that there are white dandruff like specs on his skin, and when I brush him the fur is coming out and leaving bare skin on the one side. I can't bath him as I he get very upset, and he is very old.

He is a very fussy eater, and wil only eat the Gourmet range of foods, or chicken. He also has Iams senior complete food always available. I give him 6 Vetzyme conditioning tablets daily. He is not overweight, and has no fleas, neither does he scratch his coat.


Have you any suggestions?

Answer by Kate
Ah poor old thing, sounds like he is needing a lot more help now here is in his old age.

Cat Arthritis is a common problem for older cats and as you say can stop them from doing many of the normal every day things like grooming etc. Basically he needs some releaf from the stiffness so that either he can groom himself again of you can more easiliy without causing him discomfort.

i have written a whole page about cat arthritis and it gives some ideas as to how to help your older cat here is the page https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-arthritis.html

here is a general page about older cats https://www.our-happy-cat.com/senior-cat.html
And a page about cat food for the older cat https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-diet.html

I hope these pages will be able to give some more ideas as to how to look after your older cat.

best wishes kate

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