A cat flaunting her shiny and thick fur with pride is a sight every cat lover appreciates. It is comforting to know that our cat’s shiny coat is a sign of good health and happiness. But, did you know there is more to the coat than meets the eye?

 A SHINY COAT IS MORE THAN BEAUTY 

The appearance of your cat’s skin and coat is important in their total well-being. You should take extra care of those pretty-locks, because a healthy coat also; provides our kitties with sensory data, protects them from the elements (cold, heat, wind and rain) and enables them to produce Vitamin D, which they consume when grooming their hair.

As we cat enthusiasts try to keep our purring furballs looking pretty, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind to prevent health problems from arising.

HEALTHY COAT TIPS  

Provide them with proper nutrition (discussed in more detail later) to prevent a rough coat and weakened immune system. Illness is also compounded when obesity is an issue, preventing grooming and therefore intake of vitamin D.

Age is also a factor because when cats get older, they become less flexible and are unable to clean themselves well. They also tend to lose appetite, thus less absorption of nutrients also complicates matters.

• Groom your cats regularly to sustain a healthy coat.

When cats groom they stimulate a special gland that secretes a protective fat layer and they spread this around their coat. You can assist your cat by grooming them with special brushes, some of which help in getting rid of loose hair.

• Visit your veterinarian for advice on your pet’s diet and possible illnesses such as those related to parasites, skin infections, allergies, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, weather, etc.
• Do not bath your cats too often because they may develop skin rashes. Besides, cats naturally clean their coat when you catch them insatiably licking.
• Give your cats supplements that aid the growth of thick and healthy hair. It is a good idea to check with your vet before buying.

BE CRITICAL OF THE INGREDIENT LABEL ON FOOD

• Feed them with protein-rich food with 28% – 32%, depending on life stage. Also look for food that is well balanced with fruits and vegetables.
• Give them food packed with Omega-3 fatty acids which are essential in nurturing fur, like Salmon Bleu. These acids are found in fish oils from salmon and sardines, as well as canola and flax.
• Do not bath your cats too often because they may develop skin rashes. Besides, cats naturally clean their coat when you catch them insatiably licking.
• Give your cats supplements that aid the growth of thick and healthy hair. It is a good idea to check with your vet before buying.

THE HEALTHY FOOD CATS CRAVE

If you cat lovers are open to a suggestion, my food of choice is Addiction Foods. Not to worry, the unique name is thanks to cats and dogs that tried this healthy food and refused to eat what they were previously fed – it is the healthy food they crave.

After checking out Addiction Foods’ website, I discovered that they have several cat food products, among them Salmon Bleu, Duck Royale and Viva La Venison, which are formulated to assure our felines get the necessary nutrients for a healthy and shiny coat.

So now you know, a thick and shiny coat says a lot about your cat. Taking care by frequent brushing, allowing him or her to naturally groom, and picking a premium food formulated for optimal health you can rest easy knowing your cat is happy and healthy. With these tips your cat is just a hairball away from the tip-top health.