Nutrition and Your Cat’s Skin and Haircoat

What is the importance of nutrition for my cat’s skin and haircoat?

The relationship between nutrition and healthy skin and haircoat has been recognized for decades. Your cat’s skin and haircoat protects her from the environment and maintaining them in a healthy state is paramount to her overall health and well-being.

Concerns related to skin and haircoat frequently bring pets to the vet, with as many as 25% of visits to the veterinarian involving these issues. The most common skin problems in cats are:

• Abscesses
• Parasites
• Flea allergy dermatitis
• Atopic dermatitis (due to environmental allergies)
• Immune-system-mediated skin ulcers/plaques
• Fungal infections
• Food hypersensitivity/intolerance
• Self-trauma
• Skin cancers

What are adverse food reactions, and how do they affect my cat’s skin?

Adverse food reactions (AFRs) are skin and gastrointestinal (GI) problems that result directly from food. For pet owners, food allergies are the most familiar example of AFRs. If your cat has a food allergy, then eating the ingredient she is allergic to can lead to very itchy skin and a poor haircoat.

Confirmed food allergies in cats are not that common, but if your cat is allergic to an ingredient, it is important to select a food that does not contain it. One of the most common food allergies for cats is chicken, but cats can be allergic to other protein and carbohydrate ingredients.

My cat doesn’t have food allergies. Is nutrition still important for her skin and coat?

A cat’s skin and haircoat can be affected by nutritional factors even if they do not experience an adverse reaction to food. A nutritional deficiency can have a huge effect on a cat’s skin and haircoat. A deficiency often occurs when a cat is fed an unbalanced homemade diet over a long period of time. A nutritional deficiency can also occur when a cat is fed a poor-quality commercial dry food, a commercial food that contains nutrient excesses, or if a commercial diet that is supplemented inappropriately.

Risk factors for nutrition-related skin disease include:

• Low fat content
• Poor quality protein or fat
• Low nutrient digestibility
• High levels of nutrients that inhibit zinc absorption (critical for normal skin)

What nutrients are important for my cat’s skin and haircoat?

Protein and energy are needed for skin and haircoat development. If food does not have adequate protein or fat, the cat may develop areas of hair loss or the hair may lose color. The haircoat may become dry, dull, and brittle. For adult cats, the protein level should be 30%–45% on a dry matter (DM) basis, and fat should be 10%–15% DM. For kittens, the protein should be 35%–50% DM, and fat should be 20%–35% DM. Overall digestibility should exceed 80%.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are another group of nutrients critical for good canine skin and haircoat quality. EFAs must be provided in the diet because the body cannot manufacture them. EFA deficiency causes the skin to become scaly and dry, the hair mats easily, the skin loses its elasticity, and ear infections commonly develop. Fortunately, EFA deficiencies are easily remedied by ensuring appropriate levels in the diet or by supplementation. Linoleic acid is one of the EFAs and should be provided at >0.5% DM.

Finally, certain minerals must be present in a cat’s nutrient profile to lay the foundation for good skin and haircoat quality. Copper deficiency causes a dull, dry haircoat with patchy hair loss and loss of normal hair pigment. The coat looks “washed out”. Zinc deficiency causes hair loss, skin ulcers, and areas of skin thickening and cracking, particularly over joints and on foot pads. The skin-related signs of mineral deficiency rapidly resolve with appropriate levels in the diet.

What other factors are important for my cat’s skin and haircoat?

A cat’s age is important when considering a potential nutritional problem with skin and haircoat quality. A cat’s body requires higher levels of certain nutrients during growth than during adulthood. It is also important to look for and address any systemic diseases or parasites that may be affecting your cat.

Nutritional issues should be considered if any of the following changes in the skin and haircoat emerge:

• Sparse, dry, dull hair with “split ends”
• Slow growth or no growth of hair from spots that have been clipped or shaved
• Accumulation of dry skin scales
• Pressure sores
• Change in/loss of hair color

What if the problem is caused by something other than her diet? Can nutrition still help?

Nutrition can affect a cat’s skin and haircoat when there is general inflammation or itchy skin caused by other factors (such as environmental allergies). In these cases, providing nutrients that are important for the skin can help build and maintain a healthy skin barrier, which can then help to protect your cat’s skin against external insults.

A great example of nutrients that can have an impact on the skin barrier are the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These omega-3s modulate the production of chemicals in the body that contribute to inflammation and itching in the skin, thus having an anti-inflammatory effect. Omega-3s work best if the underlying causes of itchiness are controlled (e.g., flea infestation).

In cats with allergies, omega-3s may allow for a dose reduction in the antihistamines or other anti-itch medications a cat takes. When considering a source of omega 3s, it is important to choose one that is bioavailable — generally cold-water marine fish are chosen. Many cat foods have omega 3s included already, so it is best to work with your veterinarian to determine the amount of additional omega 3s needed for your cat.

How do I ensure my cat gets all the nutrients needed to support healthy skin and a shiny haircoat?

It is important to feed a food that is complete (contains all essential nutrients) and balanced (in the correct proportions). If you are feeding a commercial cat food (kibble or canned), you can check the label for a nutritional adequacy statement, which tells you the food is complete and balanced. If you feed a homemade diet, consider working with a veterinary nutritionist to ensure the recipe you follow provides your cat with everything she needs. If your cat requires additional support for her skin, consider asking your veterinary healthcare team for a veterinary therapeutic food specifically designed to improve the skin barrier and support healthy skin.

There is a close relationship between nutrition and healthy skin and haircoat in cats. It is important to prevent malnutrition by preventing both deficiencies and excesses of nutrients. Your veterinarian is the best source of information and guidance for choosing the most appropriate nutrient profile for your cat. Nutrition for optimal health, wellness, and skin and haircoat quality can be complex, so be sure to ask your veterinarian about any supplements you are considering.