It is very common for cats to have itchy skin. No need to be distressed, all you need to do is find what caused it and start the necessary treatment.

Itching is not a disease, it is more of a symptom or sign of a disease. Parasites, infections, and allergies are usually the causes of the skin irritation of cats.

The effectiveness of the treatment depends on the recognition of the underlying cause. This article disseminates the possible reason for your feline’s skin irritation and the remedies for them.

Pest Infestation

The most common cause of skin disease in cats are fleas, mites, and ticks. Parasites like them affect the feline on the outside and can cause the skin to itch.

They can also cause skin allergies. Secondary infections might occur if the cat bites and scratches the already irritated skin.

Cats who frequently go outside or live with dogs are more prone to have fleas and ticks. When infested by fleas, it leaves behind saliva on the cat’s skin after feeding on it. The saliva stimulates an adverse or allergic reaction to the cat, which leads to uncontrollable itching.

The unbearable irritation will make your cat scratch it excessively, leading to the formation of sores, inflamed skin, and bald spots. Luckily, numerous products are available that can stop the infestation.

There are cat flea collars available in online pet stores. They are designed to quickly fend off ticks and fleas. There are also specialized shampoos, ointments, and many other over the counter medications.

Prevention is always better than cure, it saves a lot of money and time. It is advisable to keep your home and backyard clean to minimize any pest population.

Also regularly groom your cat’s hair, this will keep your cat’s fur healthy and will also prevent habitation of those pesky pests. The risk of your cat’s skin issues will be reduced when you take proper care, and maintain a routine.

You can also catch any issues early if you pay attention to your cat from time to time.

Ensure that the products or medications you use for your cats are specifically developed for cats and not any other animals. Using products made for other animals, for example, dogs, then it most likely is detrimental for your feline.

Allergic Reaction

Another possible cause of your cat’s itchy skin is an allergic reaction. Your cat’s skin is probably acting up due to the adverse reaction to either cat food or the surrounding components like dust, pollen or mold, or even to their litter.

You must find the triggers or allergens, you can make an appointment with a vet to identify what is causing your furry friend to be allergic. Skin issues can be effectively treated by making a change to your cat’s diet, even though food allergies are somewhat rare in cats.

Make sure your house is regularly cleaned. By nature, cats love clean places. Some cats are allergic to dust, hence it is ideal to regularly tidy up your place to avoid dust settling in for an extended period.

Some cats are also allergic to certain types of cat litter. It is ideal to opt for eco-friendly, hypoallergenic cat litter as they have several benefits.

Start paying attention to any new changes such as getting a new soap or bringing home a new type of plant. Speaking of plants, make sure you bring the ones which are cat friendly and do not pose a threat to their health.

Your cat might also be allergic to shampoos. Choose hypoallergenic shampoos.

During a consultation with the vet, ask about available or necessary medicines or topical ointments to apply.

Dry Skin

Due to various reasons, cats can start having dry skin. The causes can be old age, low humidity in their environment, or even a deficiency in their diet.

If low humidity in your home is the cause, install a humidifier in the room where your cat spends most of its time. This will diminish the dryness of your cat’s skin.

Some cats have dry skin due to a lack of essential nutrients. This happens when the cat is fed low-quality dry food bought from the store. It also happens when they are fed homemade cat food for a long time.

Providing cats supplements or fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids (FAs) can make a big improvement. These essential fatty acids control the production of chemicals that contribute to inflammation and irritation of the skin.

Hence it is important to give your cat the proper nutrition. You can also use specially formulated shampoos for cats that are gentle on your feline’s skin.

Microbial Infection

Your cat’s skin can also be itchy due to a bacterial or fungal infection. Bacterial infections are usually rare but there are exceptions. These infections are usually treated by prescribed medications as per the instructions of the vet.

You can also apply cat-friendly natural antimicrobial substances like turmeric and tea tree oil, to the affected area.

A certain type of yeasts called Malassezia can cause the itchiness or pruritus of your cat. Antifungal ointments and medicines as prescribed by the veterinarian.

To avoid such infections beforehand, keep your home clean and ensure your cats are well hydrated. Cats groom and clean themselves with their tongues. They need to be properly hydrated so they can keep themselves clean. Ensure giving clean potable water to your cats. Also, make sure to change your cat’s water.

To prevent any extreme or fatal issues regarding your cat’s overall well-being, you need to keep a constant eye on your cat and also regular checkups. Utilize at least five minutes of your day inspecting your cat so that when encountering any issue you can act immediately and take prompt action.Hopefully, this article helped you be prepared and gain some knowledge when it comes to the pesky itchy trouble of your feline buddy.