Cats are known to be fastidious creatures, and regular grooming alongside the odd scratch is perfectly usual for our feline companions. However, excessive scratching and itchy skin is not, and can be very uncomfortable for our pets. Itching is a symptom, rather than a diagnosis. So some detective work may need to be undertaken by your vet to pinpoint the cause.
How do I tell if my cat is itchy?
There are a few key signs to look out for to tell if your cat has uncomfortable skin. The odd scratch is normal, but excessive scratching (every few minutes) is a sign something’s not quite right. Chewing and nibbling at their coat, which can progress to overgrooming where they actually pull out their fur leaving bald patches, is another obvious sign. Watch out for more hairballs than usual, as cats can overgroom in secret! Dry, flaky or red sore skin can also be a giveaway sign. Itching can be generalised to all over their body. However it can also be focused on very specific areas. So checking your cat all over regularly is a good habit to get into.
Why is itching a problem?
Itching is an uncomfortable and ongoing situation for your pet. They would feel much happier if the problem is resolved. Itching can also lead to lots of licking or scratching at the area, which will cause inflammation of the skin. Excessive licking can actually damage the skin, leaving open wounds prone to infection.
Top Causes of Itching
1. Parasites
Pesky little ‘passengers’ such as fleas and mites are a common cause of itching in all pets, including cats. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there – even fleas! Cats can have a very dense haircoat and even if you comb through with a flea comb and don’t see any fleas or flea-dirt, they may still be lurking. You can recognise flea dirt as black spots of ‘gritty’ material which can often, but not always, be seen on the skin. Some mites even burrow under the skin and can only be found with the aid of a microscope.
Fleas are a common offender: in the U.K., fleas are by far and away the most common cause of cats presenting to their vet with itchy skin. Modern, heated homes mean that fleas can flourish all year round, so there is no longer an ‘off-season’. Cats can be horribly itchy with only a few fleas! Watch out for red, sore skin with patchy baldness, especially along the spine and around the base of the tail. These irritating parasites spend part of their lifecycle on the cat, but part in the environment. Therefore they they can be difficult to get rid of. Using certified products from your vet for all your pets, and your home, is the best way. Cats can be extremely sensitive to flea bites and have quite dramatic reactions and so preventative treatment is recommended.
Cats can be affected by a few different species of mite. Some can affect the whole body, but can also be localised, such as ear mites (Otodectes) which can cause violent scratching of the ears and are often accompanied by ear infections which might produce discharge and a smell around the ears. Harvest mites can also be a problem around late summer and autumn, these are bright orange and visible to the naked eye. They are mostly found between the toes and in the little flaps of skin along the side of the ear-tip (the Henry’s pocket).
2. Allergies
Allergies are more common in cats than most people think! They can be caused by a wide range of things, with fleas being by far the most common cause. Cats can have severe reactions to the flea’s saliva when the bite, and so even one flea can cause a large skin reaction. Other potential causes include outdoor allergens such as pollens and grasses. Things inside such as dust mites and dander (skin particles). If your cat seems to vary in their itching across the year, or react particularly badly to certain areas of the garden, this can be a big clue. Your vet can perform tests on your cat to look for allergy reactions.
Cats can also be intolerant or allergic to various foodstuffs. This can present as itching, or can be more gastrointestinal (vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of weight) – or both! If you are suspicious that a change of diet has led to some skin problems, a ‘trial’ with a hypoallergenic or exclusion diet for a few weeks may be very informative. Chat to your vet for options.
3. Infections
Infections of the skin by bacteria, fungi or yeasts can cause itchiness in cats, usually alongside sore, red patches of skin. Bacterial skin infections in cats are not hugely common but can be secondary to other issues. If diagnosed by your vet, improvement will likely be seen with courses of antibiotics. Similarly, yeast infections are not often seen as a primary concern but may need medication to resolve. Fungal infections are not usually itchy.
4. Insect bites
Just as in people, wasp and bee stings can cause large painful welts on cats’ skin. Smaller insects such as midges, flies and mosquitoes can cause fairly dramatic itching. Sadly, cats can be very sensitive to the insect saliva injected as they bite. Insects often pick the non-hairy areas to bite, such as the bridge of the nose or the ear-tips. Watch out for small red lumps on non-haired areas, especially in the summertime.
5. Psychological factors
This is a tricky one to pin-point, but some cats overgroom themselves with no obvious ‘medical’ cause. Cats can groom themselves as a calming mechanism and overindulging in this can lead to sore patches of skin and bald patches – commonly on the tummy. Consider this option if you have had your cat checked by a vet and they cannot find any known medical cause, and if you have had any recent changes to your household such as a new pet or building work. It’s worth discussing with your vet if you feel any emotional factors may be playing a role in your cat’s skin problems as they may be able to suggest ways to help minimise anxiety and discuss supplements that may help.
Itchy skin can be an irritating and distressing symptom for your cat. Skin conditions can be challenging to diagnose and may require a few trips and tests at the vets for your pet. However, many of these conditions can be treated and managed to give well-needed relief for your cat and prevent problems in the future.
Discussion
My cat is 11 years old, he is constantly scratching is face all around his eyes and his left ear. We took him to the vet and they put him on a steroid, they suggested a determatologist. He has a cone on for now. He has been dealing with this for awhile now. Any idea what it could be? Please and thank you
There are LOADS of different causes, including parasites, allergies (probably the 2 most likely options), or even eosinophilic granuloma, tumours, or auto-immune disease. If your vet isn’t able to get on top of it, then definitely a referral to a veterinary dermatologist is the next step – good luck!
Our cat has been itching/catching a lot lately. My wife and I both had bites on our legs, so our cat has had rwo courses of flew treatment (on his neck/between the shoulders) and we have treated all surfaces with a spray, as well as washed everything. We have had no bites for several weeks, however our cat keeps catching. He is, in every other way, fine and goes about his daily life as before, just the scratching has persisted.
Probably worth a vet check – while fleas are the most common cause of itching, there are others; one of the more common is flea allergy dermatitis, which sometimes needs more aggressive therapy.
I have a British shorthair cat who went a got her chip in her neck a few months ago. Ever since having the chip she has developed a itchy neck abd been constantly scratching, licking abd biting the area causing bald patches, scabs and sores. Shes had 2, 3 week courses of antibiotics. The first course improved the area, the 2nd gas done nothing. Has anyone had any similar issues abd can u support me with what to do next? Is this an allergy to the chip, and should I consider having it removed??
It’s not really possible for her to be allergic to the chip per se, because it’s coated with biocompatible glass. It’s more likely that there’s been some sort of reaction to the implantation. Cats are prone to unusual inflammatory responses following skin penetration (with anything), and it might be worth having a chat to your vets about that as a possible underlying issue.
One of my kitty boys is losing hair noticeable since July end. I could see brown specks at the tail region but no where else on the body. He is spotless white so it’s easy to see. There are no fleas, he is completely indoor. I have been bathing him and his brothers with medicated shampoo for suspected fungal infection (only because of the brown spots which are similar to what he had when I found him 3 years ago as an abandoned stray)…I had transitioned their diet from packaged food to home cooked chicken and fish diet with added supplements under the guidance of a certified nutritionist. I started transitioning in Feb this year and completed by end of April. The balding started in July. If it is a food allergy could it take 5 months to show up on the body. Here in this part of the world I live, animal care and diagnosis is very poor with most treatments based on trial and error. Is there anything else you could suggest.
I would be inclined to get him checked by a local vet, but bring up the options of treating for mites or other parasites that might be too small to see; it’s not unknown for indoor cats to get small flea infestations and if allergic could cause the symptoms you’ve described, too.
My cat keeps scratching and biting his coat, but this morning I noticed that there are black spots and a small worm crawling on his fur.
A worm is a bit odd – could be a larval flea, or that there’s a fairly heavy worm infestation. The black dots are probably flea dirt, which suggests a flea problem too. I’d advise having a chat with your vet about the best worm and flea treatment for him and getting him treated ASAP!
I don’t believe my cat has worms or fleas. This has been an ongoing problem for about a year now. Maybe once every 3 months he will scratch and get a large, flat red wound on his face. It’s always the face. We give him antibiotic ointment and disinfecting wipes when this happens but wondering what we can do to prevent it from happening all together?
It depends what causes it! Is it another cat fighting with him? Is it self trauma – in which case, there might be mites or allergic skin disease? Or is it pain related, e.g. a sore tooth or gum?
I’d suggest having a chat with your vet about it, and getting him checked over to see if there are any subtle signs that might indicate what’s going on!
Hes 8 weeks old ive just got him
My kitten has been deflead shes a Norwegian forest kitten but he keeps scratching l thought it might be the heat because he has thick fur
Hi
our Norwegian forest cat started to develop itchy at a year old. We have tried everything she overgrooms, make herself sore and pulls her fur out. we have been going to vets and tried allergy diet, she is now on steroid injections but they only stop the itching for about 3 weeks then it comes back
This suggests a disease like atopic dermatitis – definitely have a chat with your vet about more workup, and potentially longer term treatment options as there are now other medications that we can use long term for managing this.
Scratching can also be due to stress (which might be the case here) or allergies (less common in a kitten that young). However, I’d be more suspicious that there’s a significant flea infestation and that the product used hasn’t yet cleared them all: was it a prescription-strength product, or over the counter? Because if the latter, it might take a while and still leave some fleas behind.
Overall, then, I’d definitely get a health check at your vets and see if there’s anything else going on!
My has been to several vetenarians then veterinarian allergists (2 different ones) unable to find the source of scratching and licking. Only a cone has been helping but she licks the cone constantly. Without a cone she scratches till she bleeds and has gotten infected. She’s tried every prescription cat food available including dog allergy pills. Live in Henderson NV
If allergies have been firmly ruled out, it might be time to talk with your vets about a referral to a veterinary neurologist: this sort of hyperpruritis can be due to nerve damage, a brain condition, or even severe anxiety.
I have 2 cats ,and they are 6 and 7 years old for the past year one of my cats is constantly itching and biting himself as if he is grooming. He has been this way since we became homeless, moving from home to home. He has no fleas. I keep my 2 cats very clean and they are not out door babies. When we go out ,they have a stroller I push them in. Please help me as to figuring out whats wrong with him.
I’d think it’d be stress related from all the moving around
It certainly could be, overgrooming can look very like itching. Unfortunately, you need to rule out everything else first before settling on a behavioural diagnosis.
However, you’re right, I should have mentioned it.
There are lots of possibilities; fleas is usually at the top of the list because you don’t always see them, and if the cat’s allergic, just one bite is enough! Other possibilities include other parasites (such as mange mites), or (probably more commonly), allergic skin disease. Allergic skin disease, or atopy, can be really hard to get to the bottom of, and it pretty much always needs veterinary workup and advice, and then a regimen of various medications and management changes: there isn’t an easy fix (although in many cases, if finances are a problem, long term steroid medication can suppress the signs and make them comfortable).
We have pair of brothers who are now 7 months old who have started going outside, but one of them flinches, hops and licks at his lower back and tail, you can see he is uncomfortable. He has reached the point where he watches his brother out the window! Our neighbour has a bog garden so I am wondering if he is being bitten by midges, we flea treat monthly and have combed through his coat and found nothing.
That is strange – it’s possible but as you say, difficult to prove. Worth having a chat with your vet as it could be an allergic response to something,
I was hoping for some suggestions other than “check with your vet”. My vet keeps focusing on fleas when none are visible and I am treating for fleas year round. I am sure it is an environmental allergen as her itchy back and face are worse in the spring and fall than other times of year. The vet has her on steroids year round but will not even entertain a discussion on using any type of topical remedy for her itchy skin and dry fur in the patches where she is most affected. My poor cat has been dealing with this for 4 years. Ready to find a new vet.
I would try a new vet. There are no fleas where I love and I believe that is the first guess of many.
Coconut oil, just rub it on the itchy skin. My can had bad dandruff, and one had flea dirt on her, so I treated them both with the coconut oil, and they are very thankful! Just a suggestion.
Coconut oil may have its place, but identifying the cause of the itching is really important! Also, in cats, treating the coat and skin with oil usually results in the oil being ingested as the cat grooms, and this can sometimes lead to intestinal upsets.
I’m so sorry to hear that.
Fleas are by far the most common cause – but allergic skin disease is a real issue and does need addressing. There are now a wider range of drugs available to address it than there were 10 or 15 years ago, but maybe it is time to politely ask your vet for a second opinion?
David, We had a similar issue with one of our dogs. Turns out the dog had a food allergy. She could not eat wheat. We have had several animals with that issue. When the grass starts to grow it gets worse because their immune system do not have the ability to manage it. I know this has been a while but I hope it helps.
That’s interesting – and actually quite rare, wheat allergies are much, much less common than beef, lamb, or chicken!
This was pointless to read , you cross all the underlying symptoms but in no way do you tell me any way I can make the animal feel better . People are reading this for help , and if I read correctly you told me like nothing that can in fact help and then just pretty much ended the article .
That’s why it advises you to go to your vet: it’s illegal to diagnose disease in an animal unless you are the treating vet!
Unfortunately my cat saw a 2 different vets and 2 allergist vets. So far nothing helps except for long term steroid use. She lives on a cone with steroids.
Hi just wanted to say my cat had a similar problem which I now manage well. My previous vets were hopeless, every time I took her for an examination I got assigned a different vet with different ideas. Nothing they did helped so I changed vets and was told to buy [redacted]
Please be aware, everyone, that it is illegal in the UK to buy an over-the-counter medication for humans to use in an animal unless you have a written prescription from your vet. It would also be illegal for us to publish any statement advocating such a plan!
Unfortunately, some allergic skin diseases are very hard to manage. The good news is that the side effects of long term steroid use in cats are much less significant than in dogs (where it can shorten lifespan), and if that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes.
I am surprised, though, because use of more modern drugs and immunotherapy combined, where necessary, with judicious steroid use is almost always more effective than steroids alone.