My Cat Has Dandruff in the Winter

Q: During the winter my cats seem to have a lot of dandruff, what can I do?

A: With the dry heat from radiators filling our homes this time of year, our kitties’ coats do tend to have more dandruff. I remember one of my clients decided to take a radical but funny approach to controlling dandruff on her adorable longhaired duo, Sammy and Buddy.

She called in a professional pet groomer and gave both Sammy and Buddy “little lion” haircuts. The hair is carefully clipped everywhere except around the head and the tip of the tail. It’s adorable and helps keep their skin from drying out under all the long hair. But please do not attempt this yourself — let a pro do it. I usually see this cut more in the summer. Sammy and Buddy were my first winter lions!

To combat dry heat, try getting a humidifier to help put moisture back in the air. If your radiator is covered, you can put a bowl of water on the top, but not your cat’s water please. Brushing your cat will help remove a lot of dead skin and stimulate the natural oils in the skin. You might also purchase special oils to squirt in their food or “sensitive skin” dry food, but check with your vet first.

My cats like it when I give them a “baby wipe” wipe down. It clears off surface hair and feels good to them, especially when my apartment heat is blasting, which  can be a problem in some Manhattan buildings with no individual thermostats. Lastly, I think extra brushing, petting and treats help the winter pass quickly. As usual I welcome your stories and comments.