Expert: Jessica - 12/10/2009

Question
I've had my cat, Sugarpine, for seventeen years now, and over the last year and a half or so, she has started having problems with greasy fur. It's almost spiky looking because it's so greasy, and she also has dandruff. I've tried bathing her, and her fur comes out only a little less greasy than it was before. I've noticed that she hasn't really been cleaning herself since she's become greasy. There really aren't any other problems with her health other than the fact she's a bit clumsy now.

What could be causing her oily fur? Should I take her to the vet?

Answer
Hi Casey.  You should have Sugarpine checked out by a vet.  One of the most common health problems in older cats is hyperthyroidism (overactive or high thyroid).  And one of the symptoms of this condition is greasy, separated fur along with dandruff.  Your vet may listen to her heart to determine if it's beating too quickly - a sign of hyperthyroidism - or feel her throat to see if her thyroid is enlarged.  If she appears to fit the profile of an overactive thyroid kitty upon her exam, a simple blood test can either confirm the condition or rule it out.  If she does have an overactive thyroid, she will need to take a medication twice daily to control it.  If she's not good with pills, the vet can write you a prescription so that you can have the medication compounded into a cream, called a transdermal gel (or some vets carry this themselves).  The cream gets massaged into the skin at the tip of her ear, and the medication is absorbed through the skin.

Sometimes oily fur can be caused by allergic skin conditions or certain mites.  Most of the time, you will notice broken, irritated skin or severe itching when this is the case.

It is possible that she has a poor coat condition because she isn't grooming like she should be.  Elderly cats can have a difficult time grooming due to arthritis.  Many older cats just aren't as interested in their hygiene as they used to be.  You can try to help her with her personal maintenance by brushing her each day with a slicker brush made for cats.  This brush has hundreds of hooked teeth that rake out dirt and dandruff and also help to distribute natural oils throughout the fur.  Bathing once or twice a month with a gentle cat shampoo can help get rid of excess oil.

Best wishes!

Jessica