Dr. Dan Christian specializes in small animal medicine, with special interests in behavior and nutrition. He has been instrumental in establishing animal behavior residencies for veterinarians at leading veterinary schools and developing innovative programs with veterinary organizations in the United States. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, and the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association. During his professional career, Dr. Christian earned the American Association of Feline Practitioners Award. He has also appeared as a guest on television and radio pet health programs nationwide, and to has authored numerous articles for pet health magazines.

Q: I have a 12-year-old adopted black cat who has what looks like dandruff. Is this due to central heating, or does he lack something in his diet? He is not uncomfortable with it, it just doesn't look very nice. I brush him fairly regularly, and that seems to help for a short while. His fur is not long, but not short either. He is a very affectionate cat and has to sit on me wherever I am, so the dandruff is unsightly on my clothes.

A: With dry, flaky skin, there are a couple of things you need to consider, including diet, ambient temperature and moisture, environmental influences such as parasites, and even possibly allergies. At 12 years of age, while still fairly "young" in cat lifespan time, there are certainly changes in your cat's body that may dictate a need for higher levels of fatty acids or protein. So make sure your cat is on a high-quality brand of cat food, and you may want to make sure to include some moist food (canned or pouch varieties) in his diet, as they are excellent sources of nutrients for his skin and coat.

If there is any itching, this may indicate fleas or allergies, and the continued trauma to the skin may cause flaking. Have your veterinarian determine if this is the case, so he or she can treat your cat accordingly.

We will often see flakiness in the colder, dry months of the year, especially in houses with gas heating when cats spend most of their time indoors. If you notice this to be seasonal, increase the moist foods or talk to your veterinarian about fatty acid supplements in the cold weather. Fortunately, the flakiness does not usually indicate a serious health concern, but it is certainly a situation that you won't want to let linger.