There's almost nothing better than cuddling a kitty with soft, glossy, healthy fur. Nonetheless, various factors can make your cat's fur brittle and dull. In today's post, our Orange Park vets explain how you can keep your feline friend's fur soft and shiny, and why some cats' coats are naturally softer than others.
How to Make Your Cat's Fur Soft, Fluffy & Healthy
A good skin and coat care routine can help your cat look and feel their best. Here are some tips on how to make your cat's fur as soft and fluffy as it's meant to be.
Provide High-Quality Cat Food
Feeding your cat a meat-based diet that includes easily digestible fats and proteins can make their fur noticeably softer and more luxurious, potentially within as little as two weeks.
High-quality cat foods contain vital nutrients like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and proteins. these nutrients support healthy skin and fur, which contributes to a softer, shinier coat. When choosing food for your cat, look for brands that list meat as the first ingredient and avoid those with fillers like soy and corn.
Brush Your Cat's Coat Regularly
Regularly brushing your cat will remove dirt, debris, and loose hair. This prevents matting and tangles and leaves them with a softer coat. A nice, long brushing session also stimulates the production of natural oils in the skin, which then coat the fur and makes it softer. Aim to brush your cat least once a week for 5 to 10 minutes, and more frequently if you've got a long-haired kitty or one that sheds heavily.
Bathe Your Cat Sparingly
While bathing can help soften your cat's coat, your kitty won't need as many baths as a dog will, since cats spend a good chunk of their lives perfecting their meticulous daily grooming routine. Plus, overbathing can strip the fur of natural oils, which can lead to dry skin and a dull coat.
Gving your cat a bath every four to six weeks should be enough to keep your kitty's coat clean. Use a shampoo specially formulated for cats to avoid skin irritation and ensure you rinse the fur thoroughly to prevent shampoo residue, which could contribute to a coarse coat.
Maintain a Clean, Stress-Free Living Environment
Your cat's living environment can significantly impact the health of their coat. Keep your cat's living area clean and stress-free, with a consistent, comfortable temperature and humidity level. Dust and dirt in the living area can collect on your cat's fur and make it dull. Cleaning your home regularly and making sure your cat has a cozy, clean, inviting bed to retreat to can help support a softer, healthier coat.
Offer Fresh Water and Supplements
Hydration is key to maintaining your cat's healthy skin and fur. Conversely, dehydration can lead to dry skin and brittle fur. For this reason, it's important to make sure your cat as access to fresh, clean water at all times.
Additionally, integrating supplements like omega fatty acids or fish oil into your cat's diet can promote a softer coat. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your cat any supplements.
Watch for Balding Areas and Matted Hair
Thinning, balding, or matted areas on your cat's coat can point to a medical condition. Skin or allergy issues can contribute to a dull-looking coat, and can even cause hair loss.
Your vet may notice these issues during a routine checkup, or you may spot them yourself. Regardless, have them addressed as soon as possible. If necessary, your vet can refer you to our veterinary dermatologist, who can assess, diagnose and treat a broad range of skin conditions in cats.
Having any skin conditions correctly diagnosed and treated can help ease your cat's discomfort and support a healthy, soft coat. Depending on the specific skin condition and your cat's unique needs, treatment options may consist of allergy vaccines, shampoo/conditioner, prescription medication, an ear flush, or changes to your furry friend's environment.
Why is my cat's fur so soft?
Healthy cats have soft, smooth fur that you can't help but want to nuzzle against for hours. While implementing the tips we've mentioned above can certainly help make your cat's coat softer, healthier, and shinier, various other factors can contribute to the softness of your feline friend's coat.
If you've ever wondered why some cats are softer than others or where your kitty got their particularly soft, thick, plush, or glossy coat, these factors may play a role:
Feline Fur Structure
Your cat's fur is more than just a stunningly beautiful coat; it's a unique, sophisticated structure is a dual-layer system that supports your kitty's survival and provides insulation. Each hair follicle is engineered to produce different types of hair:
Guard Hairs – These hairs make up the top layer of fur that protects your cat's skin from dirt and moisture.
Awn Hairs – These hairs provide insulation to keep your feline friend warm.
Down Hairs – These hairs make up your cat's soft undercoat. Dense and plush, they trap air to keep the body warm.
Together, these hairs create a texture that feels luxurious under your finger tips. The cleanliness of your cat's fur also plays a role in its softness. Cats groom themselves meticulously. During this process, natural oils are venly distributed over the fur, enhancing its softness.
Self-Grooming
While you might find it calming to watch your cat groom themselves, this activity also helps your kitty maintain a healthy skin and coat. Kittens learn to lick themselves at a very young age and most will self-bathe by the time they're weaned.
Grooming removes loose hair, prevents mats, and removes dirt and parasites like fleas. It is also a barometer for feline health, as an unkempt appearance can indicate illness in a cat. Older cats with arthritis or obese cats may be unable to contort themselves enough to keep their coats looking pristine.
Age
Age can impact the texture and softness of your cat's fur. Kittens typically have softer fur, while senior cat owners sometimes notice their older cat's fur become more coarse as their kitty enters their golden years. Health changes and decreased grooming ability can contribute to this.
Genetics
Genetics play an important role in how soft your cat's fur is. Cats inherit a variety of unique traits from their parents and ancestors. these characteristics influence the length, texture, and density of their fur.
Inherited Traits
Every cat receives genes from both parents. Genes determine the patterns, color, and softness of a cat's coat. Different cat breeds have unique genetic markers that determine the quality of their fur. For example, long-haired breeds typically have a softer undercoat. However, short-haired breeds should not be discounted, as they can also be blessed with surprisingly soft fur, thanks to the cats that came before them.
The Impact of Selective Breeding
Humans have also used selective breeding to amplify the softness of cat fur. Breeders often choose cats for mating based on desirable traits, such as the silkiness of certain cats' coats.
For example, Persians are known to have long, luscious fur, while Siamese cats are admired for their short, velvety coats. Meanwhile, ragdolls are known for their dense, plush fur.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.