How to help my cat with dry, flaky skin and improve coat health?

I suggest you use essential 6 supplement topically (it is spot-on) and an oral supplement like Wellactin. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=119092 https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=101959 Cats do not take to bathing well. What you can do is use a leave on mousse that is for seborrhea (dandruff). You can use it twice a week until the dandruff decreases and then you can go to once a week. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=117952

A good, balanced diet is a great base for a good coat. Daily brushing and grooming can also help keep the coat shinier and fuller. You can also add in a supplement such as vitamin E and fish oils which can help improve coat health as well. Keeping the coat clean with regular baths or using pet/baby wipes can also help keep it full and shiny.

Those spots on your kitty could be just dry skin causing itching bad enough to lose hair (do know that dry skin alone should not cause hair loss) but there are several things including fleas, allergies, skin mites, bacterial infection or endocrine disease which could also look the same way. There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. That's great that you are using an omega 3 fatty acid supplement this can help improve the skin health. Make sure it is a formula for pets (better absorption) and you may need to squirt it directly in his mouth. You may also try changing his diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. Also protect the area from trauma by having your kitty wear an elizabethan collar at all times. If the skin does not start improving within 2-3 weeks or if it is getting worse, have him examined by the veterinarian to look for other causes. Unfortunately, lotions and sprays don;t tend to moisturize as well as supplements and diet. There are some moisturizing sprays and your cat will need to wear an elizabethan collar at all times because otherwise he will lick the product. Moisturizing shampoos and conditions for pets are also an option but not all cats enjoy baths and may bite and scratch their owners. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Flaky skin could be a sign of allergies, some hormonal diseases like hyperthyroidism, poor nutrition or even fleas. If there is no hair loss and her skin appears normal otherwise you could ask your veterinarian about using an oral fish oil supplement to see if that helps. If there is any hair loss, red skin or scabs I would recommend having her examined by your veterinarian. Unfortunately cats tend to lick most topical products so I do not typically recommend using them. There are some 'mousses' that absorb quickly that you could try, I like this brand: https://www.amazon.com/Douxo-Seborrhea-Mousse-Dogs-Cats/dp/B009TXE0KU

It looks like Lil'l Striped has dry skin. Make sure he is up to date on his flea treatments, and I can give you one if he isn't up to date on them. You can also give him fished based food, which has omega 3 fatty acids that help with dry skin. There are supplements for cats available online that contain omega 3 fatty acids, and you can try supplement his diet with one of those. Dose him according to the package instructions. I would also have him seen by a vet for a health check. Dry skin in cats can be caused by medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, heart problems kidney disease, and diabetes. He should get a geriatric blood test, physical exam, and urinalysis just to make sure he is healthy. If a medical condition is found, the vet can prescribe treatment for it. I would have him seen by a vet tomorrow. Flea treatment: First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. I hope this helps :-)

Hmmm. Not sure the train of thought your vet was on. I commonly recommend fish oils, any fish oil supplement will work. There is no specific amount, though the biggest side effect is greasy stools. If you notice that, then you decrease the dose. It can take several months for you to see a change after starting fish oils. You can find a pet product at a pet store, or just use one from the human supplements section of a pharmacy or other store.

Due to her GI condition, I recommend to discuss any supplements or diet changes with her normal veterinarian to ensure these do not upset her condition. For pets in general, an omega 3 fatty acid supplement can help to improve coat health. There is also a diet line called Royal Canin that carries several different diet lines including diets specific for GI issues. In general this diet line contains supplements for coat health. If your veterinarian agrees, a diet change may also be beneficial. Please post any additional questions.