Question:
My 6-year-old rescue cat is going bald on the inside of her front and back legs, as well as on her stomach. Her fur is otherwise glossy, no flaking; but she does shed a lot. She is not scratching more than normal.
The vet thought she might be allergic to the detergent I use and gave her a shot about two months ago. There is no rash, no redness, no scaling or flaking, and she doesn't scratch herself in any extreme manner. She doesn't seem uncomfortable at all. She will, however, only eat Purina dry cat food; no human food whatsoever, except for the occasional water from the tuna can. I have started to add a few drops of flaxseed oil to her food, but she doesn't seem to like it much.
I have had other cats who lived to very ripe old ages on only dry cat food. Could a change in diet help?
B.E., Hendersonville, NC Jun 28, 2009
Answer:
Many other veterinarians now join me in decrying the nutritional deficiencies and excess carbohydrates in dry cat foods. Many cats, like yours, become addicted to them, and far too many eventually become ill as a consequence. A change in diet may help your cat, but she may have an endocrine disorder like hyperthyroidism that should be ruled out first.
Check my review "Dr. Fox's Choice: Finding the Right Prepared Food for Your Dog or Cat" under the Special Reports section on my Web site. Flaxseed oil and hemp or borage are good oils for most dogs and people, but are inadequate for cats. They need a good-quality fish-oil supplement like Nordic Naturals (1 to 2 teaspoons daily). A teaspoon of organic butter from grass-fed cows is also an excellent supplement. Some cats hate fish oil but will eat sardines in oil -- a daily teaspoon is sufficient. Avoid tuna because of the high mercury content and other chemical contaminants.
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