Hi Everyone

My name is Linz and this is my first visit to the Pet Forums page. My cat B.A has FIV and I adopted him from the rescue centre last August. Although he is between 5-6 years old, to me he is brand new and I'm not used to his ways with regard to molting patterns etc.

B.A is a big black domestic breed moggy and he is absolutely lovely and handome and has the most gentle nature. He is FIV positive but not showing any obvious symptoms.

For the last month or so he has been molting excessively leaving clumps of black fur everywhere. The thing is, I have never seen him clean himself - not at all like any other cat I've known or owned, and I'm starting to suspect he looks shabby because he can't be bothered to clean. He has a smudge of something on the bridge of his nose that's been there for 4 days (he won't let me wipe his face). He is LAZY!

I took him to the vet to check him over as his coat condition is so scurfy and she said the only thing that might help is a flea and worm treatment which he had and it made no difference. He doesn't seem unhappy or bothered by it and eats normally and is content.

B.A is a house-cat because of his FIV and I wonder if this is why he won't clean himself. His claws are also very sharp, not that he scratches.

Anyways I wonder if there is anything I should be doing other than brushing him? I easily brush off a golfball sized clump of fur every day. The fur around his hind legs and bum is particularly clumpy and unclean - yuck.

Any help greatly appreciated please.

Linz XXXX

Hi Linz, Welcome to you.
This time of year cats do moult a lot. If B.A is anything like my lot, he will be moulting faster than he can clean up, lol. The flakey bits, is due to dry skin. That can be helped by diet. Also try not to over brush as that can cause it too.

Sounds a little like my Noodles-except he does groom,just not very oftenCould maybe need a little more active stimulation,as he maybe a little depressed-and try and encourage him to scratch for his claws as with him not going out etc his claws maybe uncomfortable for him,is it possible for you to take him for short walks on a leash/harness-this will make him feel a bit better about himself and he may then bother about grooming-but around this time of yr as Wendy said they do malt loads or at least my Noodles doesAlso again diet will help his coat,maybe use a soft brush like a baby brush-and now and then just gently go over his coat and slowly work your way around to his hind legs/bum area-get him used to it and then take things from there

Hi Guys

Thank you very much for your posts. I was thinking of getting him a lead and taking him for a walk but wasn't sure.... bit worried he'll pick up germs and get ill because of his FIV. I know that's ridiculous as we bring germs into the house but he nearly died in September (4 weeks after we got him) due to a cold so I'm ultra-protective.

Can anyone recomend the best way to harness him - would it be with a simple collar and lead like a dog or with a proper harness thing? B.A's never had a collar on because he's kept inside so not sure how he would react.

Thank you again
Lindsey

Hi Everyone, me again!

Thank you for your advice. Since I last posted I looked at special foods for skin and coat health and I have switched B.A onto Royal Canin "Beauty" which apparently promotes skin and coat beauty. I've also got him on some natural canned food which is a high percentage of meat and no additives (he doesn't like it )

I have just ordered some salmon oil to add to his food, once I've got this I might bin off the tinned posh food and go back to his tusty favourite chunks in jelly and add a helping of the salmon oil.

Anyway things got worse since I first posted and his back end fur got matted. He is a medium haired domestic and I didn't think they could get matted but ashamedly he had. I firmly believe he is just not flexible enough to clean his back end because in stark contrast his front and and paws/head/tummy are clean and in good condition. With lots and lots of gentle brushing (removing heaps and heaps of underfur) we're almost there - he just has one small area of clumping on his back thigh where he needs more brushing but he doesn't like it so I've had to do it very gradually.

Is it normal for a short-to-medium haired cat to shed so much every spring? Its been monstrous. I've been brushing him every day to get him back to normal - will I need to do this every day forever or should I start at a certain time of year?

I need to find out how to upload a pic so you can see my big fat chunky monkey for yourselves!!!

Linz XXX

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Emily



Star.


"Cat people are different to the extent that they generally are not conformists - How could they be with a cat running their lives?"