Cats Fur

Question
My cat Matilda is 6 years old.  Her fur sheds excessively, and is very dry, has no luster, and has dandruff flakes. She also has clumps of hair all over and it is painful for her when I brush her.  I no longer enjoy petting her since she sheds tremendously.  She is feeling this from me and seems to be asking for more attention; I want to give it to her, but I need help with her fur.  What can I do? is there a product on the market that would help? thank you for your time.  

Answer
According to Dr. Crimi at http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=35 you should:
1.   Comb your cat's hair often to remove dander and loose hair.
2.   Don't bathe your cat unless you need to clean the hair coat of grease, oil,or dirt. Remember cats give themselves baths everyday.
3.   Use a conditioning rinse after your cat's bath. Don't use oils and lotions that are designed for people. "You'll find they will just gum up the cat's hair and attract a lot of dirt," says Dr. Crimi.
4.   Feed quality, name brand foods to provide adequate nutrition for glossy, healthy hair.
5.   Consult with your veterinarian about increasing fatty acids and vitamins in your cat's diet.

Also look for warning signs that your pet has more than dry skin:
Pets scratch for many reasons, including allergies, parasites, or infection. All of these conditions may appear to be "dry skin" to the pet owner, but they actually require treatment by a veterinarian. Attempting home remedies may only complicate the problem or delay treatment. According to Dr. Crimi, you can't "assume that chewing and licking to the point of hair loss is from nerves. It usually isn't."

Plus, Dr. Crimi warns that often skin problems and poor hair quality in pets are merely symptoms of something else such as kidney, liver, adrenal or thyroid gland problems.

If notice any of these conditions or if the initial skin problem persists for more than a week, consult with your veterinarian for treatment.

*   Skin irritation, including redness, bumps, and rashes.
*   Open sores of any kind.
*   Excessive hair loss, either in concentrated patches or all over.
*   Dull, dry hair that pulls out easily.
*   Constant foot licking or face rubbing (with or without runny eyes or itchy ears).