Do you see your cat scratching a lot? There are several possible causes of this symptom. Initially, it is common to think of a skin problem, but the truth is that the reason will not always be at this level. Therefore, if itching persists or does not improve, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian.
In this article of Animal Expert we explain the most common pathologies that study itching in cats, as well as the preventive measures that we can take to avoid them. Read on to understand what explains why the cat scratches a lot and when to take it to the vet.
- The first thing to keep in mind is that when a cat spits.
- It is very likely to ingest.
- Therefore.
- It is common that we do not notice that our cat scratches much.
- But if its licking is excessive.
- Itching in cats is one of the causes to consider.
- The tongue of the cat is very rough.
- So when you pass intensely through an area of the body.
- It ends up pulling the hairs.
- The tongue and itching cause baldness.
- Areas with lower hair density and lesions.
- Now.
- This causes your cat to scratch a lot.
- Both widespread and localized.
- These are the most common causes that explain why this itching occurs throughout the body or in specific areas.
A coceira em gatos pode ser causada por diferentes problemas dermatológicos, como os que explicaremos. Mas às vezes é uma intolerância ou uma alergia alimentar que se manifesta através da coceira. Nesses casos, além de observar uma coceira intensa, é comum notar sintomas gastrointestinais como vômitos e diarreia, problemas respiratórios, vermelhidão da pele e inflamação. É essencial detectar o alimento que causa a intolerância ou a alergia para retirá-lo da dieta do gato.
In addition, contact of some cats with flea saliva causes an allergic reaction. It serves a single bite to trigger it and is known as flea allergic dermatitis or DAMP. These cats suffer not only from itching, but also from injuries to the neck and lower back, which we will see as redness, sores, alopecia, red skin or, if maintained over time, hyperpigmentation. Therefore, if your cat has neck scabs and itching, it may very well have fleas and be allergic to its sting. It is necessary to go to the veterinarian, because not only can pest control be applied.
Ticks can also cause itching and hair loss in cats, especially in areas such as the neck, ears or between the fingers.
Fungi, like the one that causes ringworm, do not usually cause itching at first, but over time the image becomes complicated and that is when we can detect the itching in the cat. You can also see rounded lesions, alopecia, scab acne, etc. So if your cat scratches a lot and has scabs or sores with these characteristics, it is very likely that it is this pathology.
Yeasts like Malassezia can also cause itching, alopetic lesions, redness, flaking, scabs, odor, thickening and darkening of the skin, etc. In these latter cases, injuries can appear anywhere on the body. To identify these pathogens it is necessary to look for the veterinarian, who will be able to carry out the necessary tests and determine the most appropriate treatment.
Do you see your cat scratch his face and eyes a lot? Problems like the one mentioned above can also affect the area of the face. Scratching your head can cause hair to fall out around your eyes, nose, and ears. In addition, itching in this part of the body may be due to other causes. For example, if the cat scratches your eyes or eyes a lot, you may have a foreign body or have eye diseases, such as conjunctivitis. If we can’t remove the object or treat the underlying cause of itching, not only doesn’t improve, but if it gets complicated by discharge, pain or inflammation, you shouldn’t wait to see the vet.
Another sign of a foreign body is that the cat scratches the nose a lot, since there can be placed objects introduced by suction, such as fragments of plants. They usually come out in case of sneezing. If this is not the case, the veterinarian should be informed.
If your cat scratches your ear too much, you may have an infection. You may notice the odor of the ear canals, secretions, pain, etc. Otitis has different causes and it is important to treat it in the first symptoms to prevent inflammation or infection from becoming more complicated and entering the ear canal. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment are the responsibility of the veterinarian.
To a lesser extent, itching in cats is due to other autoimmune diseases or, much less often, tumors. With so many causes, we won’t be able to cure our cat without first having a diagnosis. Therefore, the recommendation is to go to the veterinarian. Although some causes of itching can resolve fairly easily, if they are due, for example, to an allergy, treatment will be more complex. It is not always possible to determine the allergy trigger let alone prevent it. Therefore, it is recommended to look for an experienced veterinarian in this area.
When a cat scratches and pulls its hair out of food intolerance or allergy, the first thing you should do is try to find the allergen. To do this, it is recommended to establish a elimination diet to try to find the food that causes the allergic reaction. These diets are characterized by the use of fewer ingredients, such as a single protein. However, the fastest and most effective way is to perform an allergy test at the veterinary clinic. Once the food is identified, it should simply be removed from the cat’s diet.
If the cat scratches heavily from having a flea or tick infestation, treatment involves administering the appropriate pest control products recommended by the veterinarian. Among the products we find on the market are pipettes, syrups and pills.
However, if the cat is scratched by a more serious disease or health problem, the solution is to consult the specialist to make the diagnosis and provide the best treatment. Without a diagnosis, the animal cannot be cared for and much less self-medicated, because it can even worsen its health.
If we detect that our cat scratches and licks much more than usual, but the vet’s assessment has concluded that it is healthy, we may find ourselves faced with a psychological disorder, although less common. Only after the veterinary examination can you think that this is the cause.
What we’ll notice is a compulsive cleanup. All cats spend a lot of time cleaning, but when they can’t stop, a problem arises. This excessive cleaning occurs in response to stress. In such cases, there is no itching, but sores and alopecia may appear in the same way due to excessive licking or scraping. The cat should be treated for the problem and, if necessary, for skin lesions. For example, it is necessary to consult a specialist in feline behavior or ethologist, in addition to the veterinarian.
Cats are very sensitive to changes and that’s why virtually any change in their routine can trigger severe stress in them, in which they can present symptoms such as a constant itching. Check out our article on the things that stress cats and help your feline regain their emotional stability.
As we’ve seen, if you notice that a cat scratches a lot, you have to go to the vet. Otherwise, we won’t be able to alleviate the itching, because that’s why we have to deal with the cause. Once this is diagnosed, appropriate treatment will cause the itching to go away.
At home, we can focus on prevention by following these measures or remedies to prevent itching in cats:
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Skin Problems section.