Understanding Common Cat Skin Conditions

Understanding Common Cat Skin Conditions

For dog owners, spotting a skin problem on your pet is relatively easy, considering the fact that dogs tend to scratch at itchy or irritated skin. However, cat owners can have some difficulty knowing if their pet has a skin problem since cats tend to lick irritated areas, which is very similar to their typical grooming habits.

If your cat is exhibiting changes in behavior, losing hair, or grooming excessively (particularly in a concentrated area), he or she may be experiencing a skin condition.

Common Skin Conditions in Cats

Flea allergy dermatitis. Flea allergy dermatitis, or hypersensitivity to flea bites, is one of the most common skin problems seen in cats. Flea bites cause cats to groom and bite themselves excessively, often wearing away patches of fur in the process.

Miliary dermatitis. Miliary dermatitis refers to the development of scabbing lesions around the chin and neck. Also typically caused by flea bites, this condition is extremely irritating for cats and can also lead to the wearing away of fur patches. Though this condition is usually found near the chin and neck, it can be found at the base of the tail as well.

Ear mites. These tiny parasites take up residence in cats’ ear canals, causing extreme itchiness and irritation that cats will combat by scratching at their ears and bursting blood vessels by shaking their head excessively. If your cat is infected by ear mites, you may notice thick, crusty discharge of red or black color in or around their ears.

Allergies. Like humans, cats can develop allergies to both food and environmental allergens. A cat affected by an allergy will paw at their face, scratch at their armpits and ears, and groom to excess, often causing fur loss in patches. Cats with food allergies tend to experience the most irritation around their neck and head, and some may even experience vomiting and diarrhea.

Ringworm. Commonly found in cats, ringworm is a fungal infection that infects the topmost layers of skin and nails and can be transmitted between cats, dogs, and humans. Though ringworm is easy to spot in humans, it is typically more difficult to detect in cats, although they may experience some visible lesions on their head, chest, and back in addition to patchy hair loss.

All of these conditions are easily treatable by an experienced veterinarian. To find out exactly what treatment your cat needs for his or her skin condition, plan a visit to the vet ASAP.