Hi Bev,

Thanks for your question. First, I would suggest making sure you have your cat in for a check-up at the vet. Skin issues are often a sign of a variety of underlying medical conditions, such as external parasites, allergies, and endocrine disorders. One problem I see frequently is overweight cats that cannot groom themselves properly because of the excess weight they carry around their abdomen. This prevents them from getting to their rear end and tail, and sometimes leads to an excess build-up of dander and oils. There are dermatology products available at your vet such as shampoos and sprays that can help with dry, flaky skin. Another thing I often recommend for dry skin is supplementing with omega-fatty acids. If your cat is overweight, these can add extra calories that she doesn’t need – so focusing on weight loss first is a good idea.

I hope this helps!

Dr. Kim Hester