Itchy Cat? Possible Causes and When To Worry

Cat itching can be caused by a variety of conditions, including allergies, parasites, infections, and dry skin. Excessive scratching can cause discomfort, hair loss, and raw or bleeding skin.

If your cat is continually scratching or seems uncomfortable, schedule a veterinary appointment to determine the underlying cause.

Here’s what pet parents should know about why cats itch, available treatments, and when to worry.

What Is Itching in Cats?

Cat itching is a common symptom that can be caused by many conditions, ranging from mild skin irritation to more serious issues, such as infections.

When cats itch, they repeatedly scratch the affected area with their nails. This stimulation of the skin releases histamine, a substance that causes inflammation (swelling) and more itching. The cycle repeats until the underlying cause is addressed.

Itching can affect how cats feel and act. An itchy cat should be checked by a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and begin the appropriate treatment.

What Causes Cat Itching?

Cat itching is most commonly caused by allergies, infections, or parasites. Other possible causes of itching in cats include:

• Parasites, such as fleas, lice, or mites
• Skin infections, such as ringworm
• Ear infections
• Environmental allergies
• Food allergy
• Dry skin
• Endocrine disorders, such as hyperthyroidism
• Cancer, such as mast cell tumors
• Inflammatory conditions, such as atopic dermatitis
• Hot spots
• Bug bites
• Stress or anxiety
• Exposure to household chemicals or another irritant
• Substances, such as tree sap, stuck in fur or on skin

Is Itching in Cats an Emergency?

Cat itching alone is generally not a medical emergency, but severe itching that causes skin damage or itching due to an allergic reaction requires veterinary attention.

If your cat is extremely itchy and damaging their fur and skin, leading to deep scratches and bleeding, they should be brought to a veterinarian quickly for relief and to prevent infection.

When To Call Your Veterinarian About an Itchy Cat

If your cat is continually scratching and seems uncomfortable, schedule a veterinary appointment to determine the underlying cause of the itching.

Cat itching is usually not a medical emergency. However, if your cat is itchy and showing signs of an allergic reaction, such as the following, they should be brought to a veterinarian immediately:

• Swollen face
• Sneezing
• Difficulty breathing

How Do Veterinarians Diagnose Cat Itching?

Veterinarians diagnose the underlying cause of cat itching through a physical examination and, when needed, additional testing. While identifying itching is straightforward, determining what is causing it can be more challenging.

To start, a veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam to check your cat’s overall health.

If there are certain areas that your cat has been repeatedly itching, make sure to mention those to your veterinarian so she can take a closer look.

A veterinarian may recommend the following tests to determine the underlying cause:

• Flea comb: A veterinarian gently combs the cat’s fur to look for live fleas or flea dirt. While fleas can be found anywhere in the fur, they are generally near the tail base, in between the shoulder blades, or underneath the chin.
• Skin scrape: A dull blade is used to gently scrape skin cells off the problem area. This sample is added to a glass slide and mixed with a drop of oil, then viewed underneath the microscope. This test finds mites and their eggs.
• Tape prep: A piece of clear tape is gently pressed against the cat’s skin and then added to a glass slide. It is stained and viewed under the microscope to find bacteria or fungi.
• Fungal culture: If the veterinarian suspects ringworm, a small sample of fur and skin from the affected area is added to a culture plate to check for fungal growth over several days.
• Allergy testing: Often done by a veterinary dermatologist, allergy tests can be done by analyzing blood or through skin pricks.
• Fine needle aspirate (FNA): If an itchy lump is found on the cat, a small sample of cells can be taken and viewed under the microscope to find out what type of lump it is.
• Blood work: Collecting a small sample of blood helps the veterinarian find underlying diseases that may cause itching.
• Diet trial: Cats suspected of having food allergies must follow a strict diet for six to eight weeks before reintroducing the old diet to watch for changes in symptoms.
• Ear cytology: If a cat has itchy ears, a cotton swab is used to get material from inside the ear canal. It is then added to a slide, stained, and viewed under the microscope to look for yeast and bacteria that cause infections.

How Is Cat Itching Treated?

Cat itching is treated according to the underlying cause. Treatment may include topical or oral medications, dietary changes, or a combination of treatments.

Treatment can be short-term for conditions such as an insect bite, while long-term treatment is needed for conditions like food allergies.

Dietary Treatment for Food Allergies

If your cat has food allergies, your veterinarian may recommend a novel protein veterinary diet.

Medications for Itching in Cats

Possible medications that may be prescribed for itching in cats include:

• Antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine
• Corticosteroids, such as prednisolone
• Flea and tick preventatives, such as Bravecto
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Immune-modulating medications, such as Atopica

• Antibiotics, such as Clavamox
• Antifungals, such as itraconazole
• Topical anti-itch creams, such as Animax
• Anti-itch shampoos, such as Dermabliss

Recovery and Management of Itching in Cats

Recovery from cat itching depends on the underlying cause. Some cases may resolve after treatment, while cats with chronic conditions may experience recurring episodes of itching.

For example, itchy skin from parasites clears up once the fleas or mites have been killed or removed. This may take up to 30 days for full healing.

If the itching is due to an underlying chronic disease, such as hyperthyroidism or cancer, itching can be reduced with medical management, but the cat may have recurrent episodes of itching for the rest of their life.

Itching due to an allergic reaction ends within minutes of a veterinarian giving the right medication.

While a cat is recovering from itchy skin, it may be helpful to consider using a recovery collar to prevent your cat from scratching the affected area(s).

How To Prevent Itching in Cats

Regular veterinary care, grooming, keeping your cat’s fur clean and dry, and staying up to date on flea and tick prevention can help prevent some causes of cat itching.

Some cases of itching are not preventable, such as those caused by underlying immune-mediated diseases or allergies. However, regular veterinary care is important for maintaining your cat’s overall health.

Regular grooming and keeping your cat’s fur clean and dry can also prevent itching. Keeping your cat up to date on flea and tick preventatives protects them from fleas and mites that cause itchy skin.