Dull coat after food switch? Norwegian Forest Cat fix

A coat that's gone dull six months after a food switch is a pretty clear signal — whatever you moved to is missing something the previous food had, most likely omega-3 fatty acids or quality animal protein. Norwegian Forest Cats have a dense double coat that demands a lot nutritionally, and they're also obligate carnivores whose kidneys benefit enormously from high-moisture food. Before I point you in a direction: is your cat male or female, and do you know roughly what the current food's main protein source is? Also — any kidney, digestive or weight issues I should know about?

That increased water intake is worth paying attention to — it's her trying to compensate for the lack of moisture in dry food, which at nine years old puts real strain on her kidneys over time. The dull coat and the thirst are both pointing at the same problem: a low-quality dry food that's heavy on carbohydrates and light on the animal fats and protein a Norwegian Forest Cat actually needs. I'd move her off dry food entirely if you can. What's your budget roughly, and are you open to wet food — either pâté style or chunks in gravy?

Good. In that case I'd go with Carnilove Cat Salmon & Turkey in gravy. It's a grain-free wet food with salmon as the primary protein, which means it delivers the omega-3 fatty acids directly responsible for coat quality and shine. The turkey adds amino acid depth. There's no cereal filler, the moisture content is high — which addresses the kidney concern — and it's genuinely high in animal-sourced ingredients rather than plant derivatives dressed up as protein. For a nine-year-old Norwegian Forest Cat with a compromised coat and elevated thirst, this hits every issue in one move. You should see coat improvement within six to eight weeks of consistent feeding.

Gradually is better, especially since she's been on dry food — her digestive system needs time to adjust to the higher moisture content. Over about ten days, mix increasing amounts of the new wet food with decreasing amounts of the old dry. Start at roughly 25% wet, move to 50% by day four or five, then 75% by day eight, and fully across by day ten. Some cats get loose stools during the switch; if that happens just slow the transition down a little. Once she's fully on the wet food, you can also add a small amount of sardines in spring water once or twice a week — extra omega-3 boost that Norwegian Forest Cats respond well to.

Good call. Give it eight weeks before you judge — coat cycles take time to show the change. If after eight weeks the coat is still flat, the next thing to look at is adding a dedicated omega-3 supplement, but in most cases the food change alone does the job. Good luck with her.