Many ageing cats can suffer from dandruff or a scurfy coat. Here's some advice on treating the problem...
(Q) My 20-year-old moggy seems to have dandruff and no matter how much I groom her, it doesn't get any better. What can I do?
Vet Andrea Harvey says: It is common for some cats to develop a scurfy coat. This does also tend to occur more commonly in older cats, and those who are overweight, usually because they are grooming themselves less.
A scurfy coat, however, can be an indication of underlying illness and so I would first have her checked out by your vet for any signs of internal problems that could be manifesting as a skin condition. They may also want to take some samples of the scurf, hair and skin to look for signs of skin parasites, which can also cause a scurfy coat.
If your vet is happy that she is in good health and there is no underlying cause for the scurfiness, he or she may recommend adding a source of essential fatty acids (such as a product called Viacutan) to her food which may help with her general skin and coat quality.
