Raw feeding and coat condition

I've been feeding Pip a raw diet for about six weeks now, hoping it would fix the dull coat and excessive shedding. I know many of you have strong opinions on this, so I wanted to check in with the group. I detailed the vet visit and the history of this issue in Pip's recent vet visit and shedding history so I won't repeat it all here, but the short version is that the vet found no skin infections or allergies, just a very dry, flaky coat. I am seeing no improvement in the texture of the fur, and the black furniture is still covered in hair. Is six weeks too early to judge, or is raw feeding a myth for coat condition?

Hi Karen! I'm a vet tech, so I see a lot of cats on these diets. Six weeks is definitely early. Coat turnover takes time, often 8-12 weeks to see real changes in the hair quality. Also, did you check for parasites recently? Fleas and mites can cause that flaky look even if you don't see the bugs. I wrote a bit about the transition timeline in Raw diet transition timeline and side effects which might help set expectations. Keep going, but keep an eye on the stool too.

Thank you, KettleTeal. I did a flea check a few weeks ago and didn't see any, but I know they can be hard to spot. I will recheck with a fine-tooth comb this week. I appreciate the timeline info; I was getting impatient because the shedding hasn't decreased at all. I just want Pip to look like a healthy cat again.

To be honest, my Bengals don't shed much regardless of what they eat. They are short hair and very active. I don't know if that makes my experience useful to you. I think the raw diet is mostly for the meat content, not the coat. If it's not working, maybe look at the grooming tools you are using. I saw Grooming tools that actually work recently and some of those rubber things seem to pull out loose hair better than brushes.

Tigersdad, I use a standard slicker brush, but I have tried the rubber tools mentioned in that thread. They help remove the loose hair, but they don't fix the underlying dryness or the dullness. The problem is that the hair falls out in clumps, not just loose strands. I am wondering if the diet is just not providing the right fats for her specific needs.

I switched Pumpkin to raw a year ago. Her coat did get shinier, but she also got chubby. I am worried that if Pip's coat isn't improving, maybe the raw diet is stressing her out? I know stress can cause hair loss. Did Pip seem stressed when you switched the food? I am just anxious because I don't want to waste money on a diet that isn't working.

Liz, Pip actually loves the raw food. She eats it eagerly and her energy levels are up. She is a very playful cat, so I don't think stress is the issue. I think it might be the environment. I live in a dry climate, and I read that Using a humidifier for dry skin can make a difference. I haven't tried a humidifier yet, but I am considering it. Does anyone else have experience with that?