9 year old cat's coat not looking so nice

[Chewbecca]

It doesn't 'sit' like it used to, doesn't naturally smooth down. Is that just age/normal?

I don't think it is a problem but wanted to check it is nothing to worry about.

Depends on the health of the dcat I think. If mouth hygiene and diet good should have good coat I would say.

There might be some underlying something going on. Might need a different diet. Are you using a dry food?

Mum's cat had this and it turned out to be overactive thyroid so it's worth getting it checked out. His fur was sort of spikey and greasy.

Is he still grooming it as he used to?

Yes, it is a little spiky and greasy looking, that's a good description.

Diet is a mix of wet and dry, dry available all the time, wet pouch once or twice a day.

Her breath does smell a little too, again, I thought fairly common in older cats.

She doesn't groom an awful lot when I'm watching, I've always assumed she did it before her long daily sleeps as she's always clean.

She's as happy and loving as always but I think a check up may be needed.

Thank you.

Hope shes ok. The greasy spikey coat really needs investigating. Will you let us know how she goes?

Thank you, I will.

Have been googling hyperthyroidism in cats now & am suspicious it could be the problem. If not treated, can lead to heart failure apparently so absolutely needs dealing with, even though she's perfectly happy.

Will make an appointment for Friday when I have the day off.

I took my cat to the vets this morning and the vet thought she was very healthy! Just a physical examination. Advised me to feed her more fish and keep an eye on her weight.

So the vet took no eg bloods?

No, she said there was no reason to do so. She thinks I am worrying unnecessarily.

Ah well. Maybe give her a hand with her grooming - I have to do nearly all of my own old boy's these days - and keep a weather eye on her for the time being. Is she overweight in the vet's view?

Probably winter coat coming through, my cats coats are all currently thicker and more wiry than they are during the warmer months.

No, definitely not overweight, she's only 4kg, she's lean. The vet said she appeared to be very healthy!

Has she lost weight do you think, then?

No, always has been lean. I know her weight now so will keep an eye on that.