[axiomae]

Hi there,

This is my first time in the pets section and I'm seeking advice about my cat who apparently has a greasy coat. I've never been a cat person and our cat was a stray kitten, almost on death's door, that showed up on our property about a year and a half ago. He wasn't microchipped and we didn't have the heart to take him to the RSPCA so we kept it. So far so good.

We've recently hired a pet sitter for when we have weekends away and she says that he has a really greasy coat (long hair). I have never had a cat before and never realised that his coat was greasy compared to a normal cat. He eats well, we bathe him and brush him, and she said it could be a sign of sickness.

Is this really the case? He doesn't show any signs of illness and is a very happy go lucky cat, so I'm unsure about spending $150 on a vet consultation if its nothing really serious. We have a very tight budget at the moment as Im on maternity leave and DP has recently injured his back so he has had a lot of time off. Usually it wouldn't be a problem at all budget wise (I firmly believe if you can't afford pets then you shouldn't have them) but it would be about two months before we could afford an appointment just because we're catching up on bills/mortgage/etc after his injury.

Any experiences with this? Should I be getting him to a vet ASAP or would he be alright for a month or two? Thanks in advance

[mummabear]

Maybe bathing him is the cause of the greasy coat? It may upset his natural oil balance. Why do you bathe him?

[againagain]

What do you bathe him with? And what type of food does he eat?

[kerrie23]

Our cat are nearly 15 and the only time they have been bathed is by the vet after surgery. No way I would bathe them, besides the fact that they would turn into ACME wildcat, they clean themselves beautifully, they never smell and are lovely and shiny.

[*Spikey*]

Some breeds get wet, or get the full wash and shampoo treatment on a regular basis. I wouldn't be too concerned that washing him is the problem.

(My ginger boy used to hop in the shower with me and go out to play in the rain and puddles - he needed blow drying afterwards).

If he's eating well and otherwise healthy, I would think that you could leave it until annual vaccination time or when you're there for another purpose. Perhaps cut down on bathing him, and see if his coat restores a more normal balance? Also talk to the vet about the best shampoo for his bathing, just to ensure he's not getting a skin irritation (you won't need a consultation fee for that).

I would not wash my current cat unless it was a necessity (like when she crawled into a blocked up chimney, and got covered in greasy, sticky soot). She's um, mean when it comes to water.

[axiomae]

Thanks for the advice on bathing - we bath him because he gets so muddy all the time! He's long-haired and loves to play under the house and gets covered in mud and gunk. He actually loves the water too and will jump in the shower with us every day, it's almost like he is drawn to the water! He swims in our pond and ugh, you get the picture! Stinky muddy kitty otherwise. Maybe it is this - but I'm glad you think it's not something super serious, and I like the idea of waiting until the vaccinations until seeing the vet.

Thanks all

[*Spikey*]

Ah, one of those cats.

Continue on then, as normal. Check with the vet to see if they have a suitable conditioner and shampoo for your kitty. Sounds like he both enjoys a bath, and regularly needs one.

[kim27]

Can't help with the greast coat but just had to say he sounds like a real character. Congrats on being converted being a cat person

[la di dah]

Assuming you're bathing him with cat shampoo I wouldn't think it was that causing it. I bathe my two with some regularity (well, probably quarterly, which is more often than most people get the urge to bathe cats...). And they don't even have access to mud! I just wash them when they are in full coat blow, sometimes before I Frontline them, and sometimes if one has been sick.

I know some people don't wash their cat as often as I do but one of mine is a bit prone to being ill, and I think ANYONE would wash a poopy indoor cat!

It doesn't hurt their coats and they have different textures from each other but neither one is greasy.

If you're washing him with regular shampoo or soap, I'd stop that, though, it can be very harsh on them, especially since they do wash themselves and its just not designed to go on cat skin. Even dog shampoo is not safe on cats.