How to Get Rid of Dry Skin on Cats

Co-authored by Stephanie Abrams, DVM, MS, DACVD

Last Updated: October 4, 2022 References Approved

Believe it or not, human beings aren't the only animals that can suffer from dandruff. Cats can also get dried-out skin that flakes off when rubbed or petted — just like people. While this is rarely a serious issue, it's nice to know what to do when you notice that your cat has this problem (especially if it ends up being the result of a skin allergy).^{[1]
X
Research source} Luckily, treatment usually just takes a few simple steps, once you discover what's the underlying cause.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Eliminating the Root Cause

1
If the cat is allergic to fleas, treat them. For most cats, one or two fleas aren't a serious problem. However, in the rare case that your cat has a flea allergy, even a few small bites can lead to dry, irritated, and flaky skin.^{[2]
X
Research source} A vet can help you determine whether or not your cat has an allergy. If your cat has an allergy, the vet can also recommend treatment options.
- Common remedies for fleas include licensed pesticide shampoos and ointments proven to be effective. If your cat is at risk for an infection, the vet may also recommend antibiotics. Luckily, most cats recover quickly with flea control treatments.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
2
Change your cat's diet if it is allergic to its food. Just like people, cats sometimes have allergies to the things that they eat. If you can't find an obvious cause for your cat's dandruff, this may be the explanation. Your vet can help confirm your suspicions.
- If your cat does have an allergy, you may need to switch to a different food at your vet's recommendation. If this keeps the cat from getting nutrients it needs, dietary supplements may be necessary.
- In some cases, switching dry food for wet food and adding a little fish oil to each meal can help keep a cat's skin moisturized.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
Keep your cat out of hot, dry weather. It may not seem like a risk that's worth worrying about, but cats can have their skin damaged by the weather. This is especially true for cats with thin coats (or none at all). Hot, dry conditions can lead to dried-out skin and even sunburn, so let your cat stay indoors when it's scorching out.
- Drier winter months can also be a source of flaky skin if your cat lies next to a heater or fire, even if there's less of a risk of sunburn.
4
Avoid bathing your cat too often. Cats aren't like people in terms of bathing needs. They're quite good at keeping themselves clean, so they only need to be bathed very infrequently. Unless your cat's coat is visibly dirty, oily, or matted, you won't usually need to bathe it more than a few times per year.^{[5]
X
Research source} Bathing the cat more often can strip the essential oils from its skin, leaving it dried-out and flaky.
- If you have a cat that's amenable to being bathed, though, there are several moisturizing shampoos that you could use.
- If you believe your cat's skin is dry due to an allergy, a bath can help remove the allergen. That said, some allergies are caused by diet and, in such cases, a bath will not have the desired effects.
- See our article on bathing a cat for help if you do need to wash your cat.
5
Take your cat to a vet for a medical diagnosis. The causes for dry skin above are just a few of the most common possibilities. A wide variety of medical conditions (some serious, some not) can also cause dry skin. Only a vet can rule out these causes, so don't hesitate to get professional help. Just a few other causes for dry skin include:^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Diabetes
- Seborrhea
- Hyperthyroidism
- Ringworm
- Malassezia

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Things to Do at Home

1
Slightly increase the fat in the cat's diet. Sometimes, a cat simply isn't getting enough of the right nutrients to keep its skin healthy. In this case, its diet may call for a little more fat. Try switching to slightly fattier cat food or adding more fat to its meals yourself.
- One healthy way to do this is to offer the cat fish, which contains healthy Omega 3 fatty acids. You can also try adding healthy oil supplements to your cat’s current food.
- If your cat has any existing health issues, talk to a veterinarian before changing their diet.
- Since cats are typically fastidious groomers, applying topical medications usually isn't a good option to treat skin dryness, because they're very quick to groom it off of them. To remedy that, systemic changes in their diet tend to work better.
2
Ensure the cat is getting plenty of water. Dehydration can also cause dry, flaky skin. Most cats don't need a lot of water, but since it's important for the cat's health and it doesn't contain any calories, there's no reason not to provide your cat with plenty of clean water every day.
- Change its bowl frequently to ensure it always has good water to drink. It's also a good idea to wash the water bowl from time to time to kill any bacteria in it.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
3
Give the cat a gentle brushing. An occasional brushing can remove dead skin flakes, reducing dandruff. Use a gentle cat brush and stroke in the direction of the hair. Don't use too much pressure — you want to stroke, not scrub.
- Always brush gently and stop right away if you notice irritated skin or signs of pain.
- Remember, though, that cats don't necessarily need help grooming, outside the occasional help from a brush or a comb. Their tongues are rough and designed for grooming.
4
Use a gentle ointment. Believe it or not, there are moisturizing lotions and topical ointments designed for cats with dry skin. Your best chance for finding these will be your local pet store, but if you can't find any there, your vet may be able to recommend some. You can also easily find these products available online.
- Only buy well-regarded, quality products for use on your cat. The best products will have lots of positive reviews from happy cat owners.
5
Give the cat a hot towel wrap. The gentle, warm moisture from a hot towel can help soothe dried-out skin and leave the cat feeling refreshed. Follow the steps below:
- When your cat is in a calm, approachable mood, find a clean towel or rag and soak it in hot water. The water shouldn't be too hot for you to hold your hand in.
- Once it's soaked, take the towel out and wring it until it is not dripping wet anymore.
- Drape the towel over the cat where the dandruff spots are. Gently keep the towel in place while you hold the cat. Let it sit this way for five minutes while you offer it petting and affection to keep it calm.

Expert Q&A

Question

My cat got flaky skin by her tail bottom?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

It might be the cat has difficulty turning around to groom this area. Brush daily to give her a helping hand, and see if this helps.
Question

Our cat is hairless on back and bottom and has very dry skin and it is like dandruff. How can I fix this?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

This doesn't sound normal and the cat may well have a medical problem, such as an allergy. Treat her against fleas regularly, and if things don't improve then a visit to the vet is essential.