Really fed up boy cat & I need help pls.

[AgathaMystery]

Evening fellow cat ladies…it’s a long one.

We have 2 cats, a big (neutered) boy & a spayed female. He is 6yo she is 8mths old. They get on okay-ish. She wants to
play and he couldn’t care less. They will sleep together on the same bed but he won’t tolerate her in his space. Both eat a dry diet (I’ve tried raw food to no avail) & are outside cats with miles to roam.

Boy cat is fed up. He’s a big cat (5.5kg) & has always had a lovely glossy coat. He is a huge tabby, so beautiful. Lately he is really really (REALLY) dandruffy and gritty feeling. No fleas but feels like he’s permanently just had a dust bath. He used to like being groomed but will now barely tolerate it. When I can groom him I have to do it with 2 brushes (so he can attack one) & walk around the house/garden with him grooming him (basically following him).

I’m wondering what I can do for him. I know cats are fastidious creatures so his lack of condition must be bothering him. Should I book him in for a bath (he has never ever had one)? Or try new grooming products?

I will do anything, I don’t mind the cost. Thank you if you think you can suggest something.

Is he flea treated?

We had a neutered male cat for many years who just didn’t care about his appearance/state of his coat. We used to groom him whenever we could.
If his coat is dusty/dandruffy it might be something lacking in his diet so I would check with the vet.

Coat condition is usually an indication of something else, rather than a condition in itself. I wouldn’t bath him, as that’s just treating the symptom and would perhaps cause more stress. The obvious issue is stress from the presence of the new kitten, have to tried feliway to help? However it could be something else, are there any other signs of illness - is he eating and drinking as normal, is he loosing weight at all?

Could it be a allergy, one off my boys developed a allergy at 6ish, came back every year for a few months, in the end he had bald patches. He had steroid injections at vets to reduce symptoms but never went away

You could try a waterless cat shampoo like this one. There was also another US product with neem oil I think. Neem is good for flaky scalp and dandruff.

Might alleviate the symptoms while you figure out what is causing it

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats

Is he flea treated?

Very much so!

Thanks all. I am going to call the vet today - I need to get him some help.

I’d try salmon oil and lots of brushing. Some of my male cats have been less than fastidious with grooming.

Good idea, I would definitely take him to the vet. Sounds like maybe there is an underlying issue.

It's not necessarily anything to do with girl cat - it could be diet, lack of nutrients, inability to groom due to weight (no judgement, my big boy is heavier than yours!), pain etc. It could also be that the flea treatment has become ineffective.

Of course, it could just be that he's a lazy bugger

I'd say it's stress. They get a bit dandruffy when upset and this can occur very quickly.

Is he still happy, going outside etc?
Could he have a sore on his skin that is making you grooming him hurt? Have you had a good stroke/check?

Is he as nimble as usual, or might he have arthritic type pain?

Yes always a good idea to speak to the vet first. I always used to take my big fluffy male to the groomers as he was a perpetual mess with rigs and burrs in his coat and a hatred of grooming (2 brushes such a good idea) he,d come back all polished and tidy looking furious.

Vet appt booked for tomorrow!

Still going out and about as usual but avoiding us (grownups) like the plague.

Just read your post. You've done the right thing as a change in tolerance and coat are signs something isn't quite right , so good to rule out.