These home remedies for dry skin on cats are natural and safe to use.
However, every cat is an individual. And cats are sensitive to changes.
Please try one remedy at a time.
Keep a journal to track what’s working and what’s not working for your cat.
Here are the best home remedies for dry skin on cats:
- High moisture food will hydrate your cat’s skin
- Coconut oil supports healthy skin and coat
- CBD-rich hemp oil helps reduce inflamed skin
- Test your water quality for your cat’s immune system
- Keep your home air clean and free from toxins
- Balanced homemade cat food might help resolve health issues
Try these out today or save THIS PIN to your Cat Care board on Pinterest.
NOTE: Discuss all health issues with your cat’s doctor first.
Disclaimer: Nothing I say is medical advice. I earn a commission if you purchase through affiliate links below. No additional cost to you.
1. High moisture food will hydrate your cat’s skin
70% of us feed kibble (2021 data). Chances are, you do too. Especially if your cat’s skin is dry and itchy.
The main issue with kibble is its low moisture.
Cats rely on food for moisture.
- Learn how to read cat food labels properly
- Transition cat food slowly
- Best cat food brands
Transition to whichever balanced wet food works for you at the very least.
ANY wet food (that’s complete and balanced) is better than kibble. Simply because wet food has an appropriate moisture content. And kibble does not.
Water is essential for life!
The cat’s natural prey (a mouse) is 70-80% moisture. Kibble is only 10% moisture.
Low moisture in kibble will dehydrate your cat from the inside out.
High moisture food will hydrate your cat’s skin from the inside out.
2. Coconut oil supports healthy skin and coat
Coconut oil has many benefits for both cats and humans.
It’s rich in medium-chain fatty acids and powerful antioxidants.
Benefits of coconut oil:
- Antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial
- Supports healthy skin and coat
- Provides easily digested forms of energy
- Supports healthy immune response
- Can be used as toothpaste
Most cats like the taste of coconut oil.
You can give your cat coconut oil straight, put it in the food, and use it topically on the skin.
Just be mindful that technically coconut oil is not natural for cats to eat. Only use as an aid and discontinue when problems subside.
Buy coconut oil from Amazon.
Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids that promote healthy skin and coat.
3. CBD-rich hemp oil helps reduce inflamed skin
Austin and Kat’s Feline Formula has added cranberries for urinary health, sardine oil for essential fatty acids, and astaxanthin, an antioxidant.
Benefits of CBD-rich hemp oil:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Can help restore loss of appetite and energy
- Can help relieve joint pain, allergies, and anxiety
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound of the hemp plant.
CBD and other terpenes naturally found in hemp are anti-inflammatory.
This can be very beneficial for dry, itchy skin.
Buy Feline Formula on Austin and Kat’s website.
CBD-rich hemp oil for cats can help relieve any pain and itchiness due to dry skin.
4. Test your water quality for your cat’s immune system
SimpleLab’s Tap Score water test kit tests for disinfection products, VOCs, heavy metals, and other toxins that are in our tap water.
These toxins can impact kidney function, immune health, and liver function. These are all of your cat’s defenses against toxins.
Benefits of testing your water:
- Water is essential for life
- Use a treatment that’s specific to your water
- Clean water can support your cat’s immune system
Every water supply is different. So it’s important that you purchase a test kit based on you water source.
Additionally, treatment (filters, etc.) depends on the quality of your specific water.
Buy Tap Score’s water test kit and use code CATICLES10 to get $10 off your purchase of $100+.
I found the best water treatment: AquaTru reversis osmosis. Read my AquaTru review here.
Buy the Glass carafe model (10% off with that link). Or the Classic model (10% off plus a free 1-year filter pack with that link).
Clean, toxin-free water can help your cat’s immune system function properly.
5. Keep your home air clean and free from toxins
Cats are super sensitive to chemicals and fragrances in cleaning supplies.
Plus they run around close to the ground. So do your best to eliminate dust and dirt.
Use cat-safe cleaning products.
- Dr. Bronner’s unscented soap is a chemical-free all-purpose cleaner.
- A dry mop can help eliminate dust on the floor without spreading it in the air.
- Use washable cleaning pads for hard floors. Hot water and white vinegar solution is perfect for cleaning.
- An air purifier can keep the air allergen-free and clean.
Avoid fragrances and chemicals when you clean.
The cat’s sense of smell is 40x stronger than ours.
And remember, they run around close to the floor. These chemicals and fragrances can cause serious irritation.
Check out how I clean my apartment (all chores done) in 2 hours every week.
Need a centralized place to keep track of everything related to your cat? Grab my Cat Care Binder Bundle!
6. Balanced homemade cat food might help resolve health issues
Properly balanced homemade cat food is the most natural home remedy.
Benefits of homemade cat food:
- You control the ingredients and how it’s made
- Vitamin and mineral premixes are available
- Easy to put together
- Delicious!
Raw, homemade cat food is the healthiest because it mimics the cat’s natural diet.
However, homemade cat food is more complex than giving your cat chicken breast.
Homemade cat food requires a specific amount of:
- Muscle meat
- Organs
- Bones
- Fish oil
- Vitamin and mineral premix
An incorrect mix of these nutrients can cause serious damage in the long run.
For example, too much vitamin A can lead to liver damage and increased pressure on the brain.
Too much vitamin E can cause eye problems, dry skin, cell damage, and many more serious health issues.
TCFeline
TCFeline creates premixes for raw meat or a lightly cooked homemade diet.
Benefits of TCFeline:
- Quality tested since 1998
- Human-grade ingredients
- 16-year feline nutrition study
- 14-year feeding trial
TCFeline has 3 premixes available on Amazon: with chicken liver, with beef liver, and no liver.
All 3 options are mixed with boneless meat.
The premix contains all nutritional needs from the bone so you don’t have to add it.
The “no liver” version requires fresh liver.
Buy TCFeline with chicken liver, with beef liver, and no liver on Amazon.
Alnutrin
Alnutrin creates premixes for homemade raw diets with or without bone.
Benefits of Alnutrin:
- Every batch is tested for quality
- Human-grade ingredients
- Alnutrin explains every ingredient with a link to its source
They have 2 mixes. Alnutrin mixes with meat, bones, and organs.
Alnutrin +calcium mixes with meat and organs (no bones).
Buy Alnutrin and your meat products from Hare Today. You would also need a fish oil supplement. Use the Feline Formula CBD or fish oil from Hare Today.
Final thoughts on home remedies for cats
These home remedies are the most natural and helpful for your cat with dry skin.
Introduce supplements and new foods gradually. Cats are highly sensitive to change.
Keep a diary so you’re aware of any changes that might need attention.
Quality and consistency are key. Always choose the best products for your cats.
Need a centralized place to keep track of everything related to your cat? Grab my Cat Care Binder Bundle!
