Poor Coat Condition in Cats
Key takeaways
Coat condition can be a useful indicator of overall health in cats. Healthy cats maintain a sleek, shiny coat which is not dry, brittle, or shedding excessively. It should not have any patches of poor or absent growth.
- Cats with poor coat condition present with dull, greasy fur which clumps and matts easily, and may have patches of poor hair growth
- There are multiple conditions that result in poor coat condition, including inadequate nutrition, external skin parasites, obesity, allergic skin disease, osteoarthritis, infections, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and kidney disease
- Investigation involves physical examination, skin and hair cytology, blood work, urine testing, and diagnostic imaging such as X-rays when relevant
- Treatment varies depending on the underlying condition but includes diet change, weight management,medication such as antiparasitics, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, pain relief, supplements, and hormonal treatments
- Prognosis varies similarly, depending on the underlying cause
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A closer look: Poor Coat Condition in Cats
Poor coat condition is not a serious symptom on its own. It is sometimes the result of lifestyle factors such as obesity or lack of parasite control, but may also indicate an underlying health condition, which can be serious.
Cats are fastidious groomers and generally maintain a sleek, shiny coat. Cats with a poor coat condition benefit from veterinary attention.
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Possible causes
There are numerous causes of poor coat condition in cats.
Risk factors
Poor coat condition varies considerably. It may be localized such as when an arthritic cat that can no longer groom its back, or it may be generalized such as in a cat with hyperthyroidism. Some cases are sudden onset caused by overgrooming due to allergic skin disease, whereas others result in a slow decline as the underlying disease progresses such as chronic kidney disease.
Testing and diagnosis
Investigation involves:
- Physical examination
- Skin and/or hair cytology
- Ringworm culture/PCR
- Blood work
- Urine sample
- Diagnostic imaging
Treatment options depend on the underlying cause.
Medical options may include:
- Antibiotics
- Antiparasitics
- Treatment of hormonal or metabolic conditions
- Anti Inflammatories
- Pain relief
Lifestyle options may include:
- Weight loss
- Diet management
- Irregular bathing
- Assistance with brushing
- Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation
Surgery may be recommended in some cases.
Similar symptoms
Poor coat condition is self evident and not likely to be confused with other symptoms.
Confusion often occurs when deterioration in coat quality is thought to be part of the normal aging process. Older cats are more prone to poor coat condition because they carry a higher risk of an underlying health condition.
Normal, seasonal shedding may be mistaken for excessive shedding.
Associated symptoms
Poor coat condition is a broad symptom and multiple other symptoms may be observed alongside it depending on the underlying cause.
