Cat skin problems and cat health
Your cat’s skin is a good general indicator of their health. It should be pink or black (depending on the breed) and their coat should be smooth and shiny.
Watch out for crusting, itching, scaling, black or white spots, bald patches and inflamed areas, as this is usually a sign that something’s not right. For example, small black dots could indicate fleas while a dull coat might suggest an underlying illness. Scratching and scabbing, meanwhile, could mean your cat has a skin disease. Pay attention to the skin around your cat’s ears, too. Any brownish discharge or redness should be investigated by your vet.
If you know what warning signs to look out for on your cat’s skin, you can help them get treatment as soon as you spot something that doesn’t seem quite right.
Dry skin in cats
Dry skin isn’t usually a serious health issue for cats, unless they’re continually scratching. The temperature of your home can affect their skin - dry skin can soon become itchy during winter when the heating is turned on. A humidifier might help your cat keep comfortable if this is a problem.
Common skin parasites
Common skin parasites on cats include fleas, ticks and mites. They can cause itchiness, inflammation and skin lesions, as well as hair loss. In some more serious cases, a heavy flea infestation can cause anaemia in kittens, which can be dangerous to their health. Fleas can also cause a specific allergy in cats known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD - see below for more information). Most cat skin conditions involving parasites can be treated quickly, although some may require longer-term treatment.
Identifying cat fleas
Cats are very good at grooming themselves, so owners are sometimes surprised to learn that their cat has fleas! Many cat skin conditions can be the caused by fleas, and the most obvious sign that the pesky parasites have taken up residence on your cat is persistent scratching, although some cats won’t scratch themselves but instead over-groom, sometimes leaving bald patches.
Cat fleas are dark brown and approximately 1-2mm long. You’ll usually notice them in your cat’s coat during combing (with a fine-toothed comb), along with tiny black specs of flea waste.
Treating fleas in cats
Talk to your vet if you suspect your cat has fleas – they’ll be able to recommend the most suitable treatment. Cat fleas are persistent little critters, so not only does your cat need to be treated but their environment must be treated, too. This means washing bedding, cushion covers and clothing at high temperatures. Once you’ve got rid of them, make sure you use a flea-prevention treatment all year round as the both high humidity of the summer and central heating in winter make for cosy flea environments.
Cat fleas and flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)
Fleas can be very uncomfortable for your pet, and can cause pesky skin problems for cats. The most common flea found on cats is the cat flea, but rabbit and hedgehog fleas can also cause problems for your feline friend. Sometimes cats can become sensitive to flea saliva and develop an allergy to their bites, known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).
FAD can develop in different ways, although usually results in irritation and itchiness, which can lead to your cat scratching themselves, sometimes causing hair loss and small scabs on their skin (known as miliary dermatitis).
Cats with FAD have extremely sensitive skin, meaning that just one tiny flea could trigger a cycle of itching and scratching.
For more information on how to find out if your cat has fleas and treatment options, see our page on fleas and ticks for cats.
Feline skin allergies
Just like us, cats can develop an allergic reaction to all sorts of things. A reaction is caused by your cat’s immune system producing antibodies in response to the allergen, which ultimately cause inflammation, itchiness and other cat skin problems.
Common cat allergens include:
- Inhaled allergens including mould, pollen and house dust.
- Contact dermatitis, which is caused by irritating substances coming in contact with your cat’s skin. These can include soaps and perfumes, household or garden sprays, chemicals, feathers, wool and even some flea collars.
- Certain types of food.
Diagnosing skin allergies
Talk to your vet if your cat is showing signs of a skin allergy, and be prepared with all you know about your pet’s symptoms, including when the allergic symptoms appear. Sometimes a cat skin allergy will be down to a combination of factors, so every cat’s treatment will be different.
If your cat’s skin problem is the result of a food allergy, they might also show signs of an upset stomach. Usually your vet will recommend that you exclude certain ingredients from your cat’s diet to help isolate the culprit, which you can then avoid in the future.
Treating skin allergies in cats
Skin allergies can be quite uncomfortable for your cat and most conditions can be treated successfully – although some may take a little longer to cure than others. Your vet might suggest a variety of treatments to help manage your cat’s skin allergy, including medical treatment, behavioural therapy or a therapeutic diet.
Diet plays an important role in keeping your cat’s skin healthy anyway, so be sure to feed them nutritionally-balanced meals to help prevent any potential skin complaints in the future.
Hair loss (alopecia) in cats
Cats will shed hair all year round (known as moulting) but tend to lose more hair in the summer and autumn, so you may need to lend a hand to help them with their grooming– and invest in a good vacuum cleaner!
However if you notice that your cat is losing more hair than is normal during their moulting, they may be affected by alopecia (loss of fur). Cat hair loss is often down to over-grooming an itchy or sore area, perhaps due to cat skin infections such as ringworm (a fungal infection), common skin parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites, or hormonal problems. Over-grooming can also be down to behavioural problems or anxiety, which is usually more common in cats than it is dogs, and can result in your cat vomiting fur-balls due to the amount of fur they end up swallowing.
General poor health and nutrition are often the culprits behind cat skin complaints, although having a litter of kittens or an underlying disease can be to blame, too.
If you’d like more information on your cat's skin condition or have any other queries, contact our PETCARE EXPERT TEAM.