There are several causes that can lead to a cat scratching a lot. At first, it is common for us to think of a skin problem, but the truth is that the reason is not always going to be located at this level. Therefore, if in doubt, the itching continues or does not improve, it is necessary to consult the veterinarian.
In this article on our site we are going to explain the most frequent pathologies that cause itching in cats, as well as the preventive measures that we can adopt to avoid them. Read on to find out why your cat scratches a lot and when to go to the vet.
Why does my cat scratch a lot and lose hair?
The first thing to keep in mind is that when a cat feels itchy, it is very likely that he will lick himself. That is why it is usual that we do not notice that our cat scratches a lot, but if the licking of him is excessive, itching is one of the causes that we must consider. The cat's tongue is very rough, so when it passes intensely over an area of the body, it ends up breaking the hair. Both the tongue and the scratching will cause bald spots, areas with a lower density of hair and lesions. Now, what causes your cat to scratch a lot, both in a generalized and localized way? Below, we show the most common causes that explain why this itching occurs throughout the body or in some specific areas.
Food Allergy
Itching in cats can be due to different dermatological problems, such as those that we will explain. But sometimes it's a intolerance or a food allergy that manifests itself through itching. In these cases, in addition to observing intense itching, it is common to notice gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, respiratory problems, reddening of the skin and inflammation. It is essential to detect the food that causes the intolerance or allergy to remove it from the cat's diet.
External parasites
Another of the most common reasons why a cat scratches a lot, which also has a relatively simple solution, is the presence of external parasites. The most widespread are fleas These insects are hematophagous, which means that they feed on blood. To do this, they bite the cat and it will react by scratching and licking itself. In principle, applying a suitable dewormer will solve the problem, although it must be borne in mind that the fleas seen on the cat are not all there are. Most are in the environment. Therefore, in addition to deworming the cat, it is necessary to treat the environment. Keep in mind that these fleas can also bite other household animals, including people.
Also, contact with flea saliva can cause an allergic reaction in some cats. A single bite is used to trigger it and is known as flea bite allergy dermatitis or DAPP These cats will not only suffer from itching, but will also present lesions in the neck and lumbosacral area, which we will see as redness, wounds, alopecia, red hair or, if it persists over time, hyperpigmentation. Therefore, if your cat has scabs on its neck and scratches, it is very possible that it has fleas and is allergic to their bite. It is necessary to go to the vet, because it may not come just by applying an antiparasitic.
Ticks can also cause the cat to scratch and lose hair, especially in areas such as the neck, ears or between the fingers.
Fungi and yeasts
Fungus, such as the one that causes ringworm, is not usually itchy at first, but over time the condition resolves. complicates and that is when we will be able to detect the itching in the cat. We can also see rounded lesions, alopecia, pimples with crust, etc. So, if your cat scratches a lot and has scabs or wounds with these characteristics, it is very possible that it is this pathology.
Yeasts such as Malassezia can also cause itching, alopecic lesions, redness, scaling, crusting, bad odor, thickening and darkening of the skin. skin etc. In these latter cases, the lesions can appear anywhere on the body. To identify these pathogens, it is necessary to go to the veterinarian, who is the one who can carry out the necessary tests and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
Eye problems
Does your cat scratch his face or eye a lot? Problems like the ones we have already mentioned can also affect the face area. Scratching your head eventually leads to hair loss around your eyes, nose, and ears. Also, itching in this part of the body can be due to other causes. For example, if the cat scratches its eye or eyes a lot, it may have lodged a foreign body or suffer from eye diseases such as conjunctivitis If we cannot remove the object or treat the underlying cause of the itching, not only does it not go away, but it is complicated by discharge, pain or inflammation, you don't have to wait to go to the vet.
Strange bodies
Another sign of a foreign body is that the cat scratches its nose a lot, since it can also locate objects that are introduced by aspiration, such as plant fragments. They usually come out when sneezing is triggered. If this is not the case, notify the vet.
Otitis
If your cat scratches his ear a lot he may have an infection. We can notice a bad smell from the ear canals, discharge, pain, etc. Otitis has different causes and it is important to treat it from the first symptoms to prevent inflammation or infection from getting complicated and advancing into the ear canal. Of course, diagnosis and treatment are the responsibility of the veterinarian.
Other causes
In a smaller percentage of cases, itching in cats is due to other immune-mediated diseases or, much less frequently, to tumours Since there are so many causes, we won't be able to cure our cat without first having a diagnosis. That is why the recommendation is to go to the veterinarian. Although some causes of itching can be solved relatively easily, if it is due to, for example, an allergy, the treatment will be more complex. It is not always possible to determine the trigger of the allergy, much less avoid it. Therefore, it is advisable to seek a veterinarian with experience in this field.
What to do if my cat scratches a lot?
When a cat scratches and pulls out its hair because it suffers from a food intolerance or allergy, the first thing we 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 produces the allergic reaction. These diets are characterized by using a smaller number of ingredients, for example a single protein. However, the fastest and most efficient way is to carry out an allergy test at the veterinary clinic. Once the food is identified, we simply have to eliminate it from the cat's diet.
If the cat is scratching a lot because it suffers from a flea or tick infestation, the treatment involves administering appropriate antiparasitic products and recommended by the vet. Among the products that we find on the market, pipettes, syrups and tablets stand out.
Now then, if the cat is scratching because of an illness or a more serious he alth problem, the solution is visit the specialist to make the diagnosis and prescribe the best treatment. Without a diagnosis we cannot treat the animal, much less self-medicate it, since we could worsen its he alth condition.
My cat scratches a lot but is he althy
If we detect that our cat is scratching and licking much more than normal, but the vet's check-up concludes that it is he althy, we may be facing a psychological disorder, although it is less frequent. Only after the veterinary study can we think that this is the cause.
What we will notice is a compulsive grooming All cats spend a lot of time grooming themselves, but when they can't stop doing it, there's a problem. This exaggerated grooming occurs in response to stress. In these cases there is no itching, but wounds and alopecia can also appear due to excessive licking or scratching. The cat must receive treatment to solve the problem and, if applicable, for skin lesions. Thus, it is necessary to consult with an expert in feline behavior or ethologist, in addition to the veterinarian.
Cats are animals that are very susceptible to change, which is why practically any change in their routine can trigger serious stress in them, in which they can show symptoms such as constant scratching. Check our article with the Things that stress cats and help your feline regain emotional stability.
Home remedies for itchy cats
As we have seen, if a cat scratches a lot you have to go to the vet Otherwise, we won't be able to relieve the itching, since that, to do so, we need to treat the cause that is originating it. Diagnosed this, the appropriate treatment is what will make the itching disappear.
At home we can focus on prevention, following these measures or remedies to avoid itching in cats:
- Parasite control: even if the cat does not have access to the outside, it can contract fleas, hence the importance of keeping a deworming schedule regular.
- Quality food: as carnivores that they are, the diet of cats must be based on protein of animal origin and adequate to the life stage of the cat. This not only reduces the chances of developing an intolerance or allergy, it will also provide the animal with all the nutrients it needs to stay he althy in general.
- Environmental enrichment: cats need a space in which to carry out their activities. A home with cats should have scratching posts, hiding places, furniture at different heights, toys, places to relax, etc. You have to minimize stress by establishing adaptation guidelines for any new thing that alters your routine.
- Specific products: Do not bathe or apply any product on the cat that is not formulated specifically for cats.
- Go to the vet at the first symptom: compulsive scratching or licking ends up affecting the hair and skin, so how much The sooner the cause is treated, the fewer injuries will occur and the easier and faster the recovery will be. Don't forget regular check-ups that allow pathologies to be detected early.
