My cat's skin is dark and rough after mat removal. Is it normal?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly normal. However, it is too difficult to know that just based on this picture as it is a bit blurry. I would recommend you consider sending another picture so that this can be looked at more closely. We are looking forward to hearing from you again. Best of luck!

The white specks to are seeing may just be dander. Many times when the coat gets matted a great deal of dander will build up underneath the mat. If her fur feels sticky this could just be moisture but could also indicate a moist dermatitis or skin infection. I'd suggest giving Piper a bath using an oatmeal shampoo. If the flaking and moist skin does not resolve after a bath it's a good idea to take her to your veterinarian. Your vet can help clip the remaining fur around the area and decide if antibiotics are needed. I hope this helps! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Until you wash her the flea-dirt will remain, as it is the poop from the fleas and won't go away without her grooming it off, or you washing it off. Giving her a bath with warm water and a tiny bit of soap (avoid any flea shampoos as you have already used good products) is a good idea. However I would wait for about a week to perform this bath as you don't want to wash the Revolution off. After you bath her, you can use the flea dirt to monitor if more adult fleas are present. If you don't bath her, which is an option, eventually she will groom it away, and this is ok. Best of luck with Cleo!

Not all flea medications are equal. I find that fipronil/Frontline products don't work very well. I would recommend that you talk to your vet about a prescription product like Bravecto or Revolution, or try a Seresto collar. Fighting cat fleas is tough, and even with excellent products, it may take 3 or more months to get rid of the fleas due to their life cycle and new fleas hatching. See the articles below. That being said, overgrooming (hair loss) and black skin (caused by chronic inflammation) can be caused by many things. Food allergies are possible, but Rengar is more likely to be allergic to chicken or beef than grains. Anxiety or pain are other possible causes. It would be a good idea to discuss this with your vet. https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-get-rid-of-fleas/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/the-best-flea-prevention-plan-for-your-cat/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/excessive-grooming-in-cats-what-it-means-and-how-to-help/

Fleas and allergies to fleas can set-up an environment for infection. It's possible that this is complicating the recovery process. The skin will often start to heal once the fleas are gone, but it's worth treating for infection by giving a bath with a medicated cat shampoo (can get this at the pet store). I recommend discontinuing the use of dawn, because this can be very irritating to the skin and actually delay healing or make the problem worse. Dawn will also not completely get rid of the fleas. In general, only products labeled for cats should be used, because their skin pH is different than peoples. It's best to just give a bath with the medicated shampoo once every 2-3 days, until the skin starts to look normal. It's expected that it will take a month or more until the kittens start to look normal again, so stick with it and they should get through this fine. Treating for fleas is not just restricted to the host, because fleas can reproduce and nest in the environment and continually cause an issue. Below is a link to a short article that explains treating the cats and environment for fleas: https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-get-rid-of-fleas/ If the skin problems are not getting better, or are getting worse in the next two weeks, then it's best to have your kittens evaluated by a vet, because they may need additional treatment.

Hello and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! When there has been inflammation in the skin (like what happens secondary to a flea bite) the skin will sometimes change color as it heals. That area looks like it is starting to regrow hair and that the original inflammation is subsiding so I wouldn't be concerned. It is recommended to use at least 4 months of consistent flea prevention to fully eradicate fleas or all year round if Lynx is an outdoor cat. A high quality flea preventative like Frontline plus, Revolution or Advantage should be used.

Hello and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Hyperpigmentation is very common when there is chronic irritation in the skin, which happens with allergies. The hair can also change color as it grows back. I wouldn't be too concerned as long as the irritation is gone and that it is just pigment and not a raised growth. Monitor it closely and if you see it start to raise up rather than just be a flat, black spot on the skin, I would have it evaluated by your veterinarian.