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How Nutrition Can Help Manage Your Cat’s Hairballs

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘cat’? It's probably a cat covered in smooth and shiny fur, right? Not only does it look majestic, but every time we pet a cat, it also feels like we are running our fingers through silk. A shiny coat is no less than a divine blessing. However, this heaven-sent beauty can lose its shine if you stop taking care of it. While grooming plays a vital role in maintaining healthy cat fur, there are multiple other factors that influence its look and feel. If you are not aware of how to care for shiny cat fur, continue reading. This article covers everything around cat fur health.
 

Why isn’t your cat’s coat shiny?

If your cat’s fur looks dull, instead of directly jumping on to quick fixes, try understanding its cause. Here are a few common reasons why cat fur loses its shine:
 

1. Poor diet

   When it comes to maintaining a cat’s lustrous fur, diet is key. In fact, along with keeping your cat's coat shiny, a balanced and complete diet will also ensure its overall well-being. So, make sure that you go for cat foods that are loaded with proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fats.

2. Frequent bathing

   We have all seen our hair get damaged due to excessive washing. But did you know? Cats' fur too loses its charm after frequent bathing. That's because overbathing leads to the loss of natural skin oils that keep your feline friend's coat shiny.

3. Age

   Cats are pretty self sufficient when it comes to grooming. As a caretaker, you do not have to bathe your purrfect pal regularly to follow basic hygiene. However, old-age affects their flexibility, which hinders cats' grooming sessions. So next time your cat chooses to put its natural grooming equipment to use, make sure you assist it. However, lack of flexibility isn't always a sign of old-age. Overweight cats too cannot reach every area of their body. If your cat is obese, create a healthy weight loss plan with your vet.

4. Medical issues

   If none of the aforementioned factors have caused lacklustre to your cat's coat, the next plausible reason would be a medical condition. Cats lose their coat's shine due to serious health issues like diabetes, parasites, infections, and allergies. In case you suspect that your cat's dull coat is a sign of illness, consult a vet immediately.

How to make a cat’s fur shiny again?

Now that you know the causes of dull cat coats, you can work towards bringing its shine back. Here are a few ways to make cat fur shiny:

• Brush the coat regularly: Brushing gets rid of dead strands and stimulates hair follicles. Moreover, it also helps spread natural skin oils to the coat, giving you a shiny cat fur.

• Use the right shampoo: Picking the right shampoo is imperative, especially because the wrong ones can strip off a cat’s natural skin oil and damage the fur.

• Avoid excessive bathing: Frequent bathing can lead to dry and flaky skin. Hence, do not make your cat take a dip unnecessarily.

• Follow a healthy diet: We all know that hair strands are 90% protein. Hence, providing protein-rich meals becomes vital for maintaining a shiny cat coat. 
   

How and why nutrition is important for a cat’s coat and skin?

Skin is the largest organ. And with cats, this organ is generally fully covered with fur. They shed and regrow hair strands multiple times in their entire lifetime. However, a poor diet can slow down the regrowth process. Basically, lack of nutrition can eventually lead to bald spots. A diet that not only includes high-quality protein but also vitamins, minerals, good fats, and other nutrients will fast-track the hair growth process, maintain a shiny coat, and strengthen the immune system.

IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Indoor Weight & Hairball Care cat food is loaded with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids to give your cat a shiny and healthy coat. Other essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals in this premium cat food support your feline friend’s overall health.