Skin & Coat Problems in Cats

Skin & Coat Problems in Cats - The purpose of a cats skin is to keep out foreign bodies from the its bodily system, regulate its temperature, manufacture vitamin D, it also contains its sweat glands.

A cats skin is covered in three types of hair which are called guard hairs, these are the top layer which keep the cat waterproof; wool hairs that keep the cat warm; and sensitive hairs such as whiskers which are sensitive to touch and help the cat find its way around obstacles.

Cat's normally moult hair in the summer and grow a new thicker coat in winter. A cat's skin is sensitive to parasites and infections and care should be taken to monitor and quickly treat any unwanted conditions or infections.

This section of our website describes some of the more common skin and coat conditions that affect cats including cat fleas, other fleas, ticks, mites, mange, tapeworm, alopecia, food allergies, feline infectious enteritis, feline pyoderma and seborrhoea.

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