Cats are notorious self-groomers and very meticulous about keeping themselves clean. However, their grooming behavior will go into overdrive when their skin is itchy, which is both annoying and potentially harmful to the feline. Compulsive scratching, licking, and chewing indicate a problem that needs remedial treatment.
Diagnosing what causes skin irritations and then treating them can be done at home using a process of elimination. However, once you have exhausted all your options with no sign of relief, a visit to the vet might be in order.
If your cat has undergone a period of itching skin, here are three lessons it will have taught you:
There are consequences
All that extra licking results in felines ingesting more fur as they frantically groom themselves in search of relief. The results can be larger hairballs that the cat vomits. Watching a cat egest a hairball can be distressing for felines and owners alike. Organic hairball treats are supplements that keep a cat’s skin and coat healthy to reduce how much fur it sheds during grooming. These chews contain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that support skin health. Cats respond well to their hairball treats as they are delicious, so owners will not have trouble getting their felines to eat them. For the best supplements, choose a good brand from Hill’s, Scruffy Paws Nutrition, Iams or Purina to Fancy Feast or Royal Canin.
It may take quite some time for your cat’s skin to heal and the fur to start growing healthily again after an itching episode. When overgrooming goes too far, it can result in bleeding sores and furless patches. As the wounds heal, they become even itchier, leading to a new round of excessive licking. This prevents them from healing quickly, and you may need to get your kitty a ‘collar of shame’ to prevent them from disrupting the process by continuing to lick their sores. You could give some mild relief in the form of cbd treats for cats which are said to have anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties.
In extreme cases of itchiness, a vet may prescribe medication, such as antihistamines, antibiotics, or steroids like cortisone. These medications are effective in treating skin conditions but may have side effects. Steroids, particularly, place a strain on the liver and cause increased appetite, leading to weight gain.
You might need to change your cat’s food if an allergy causes its itchiness. Without knowing what the allergen is, this could be tricky and require some experimentation to find a brand that does not aggravate the feline’s allergies.
There is more than one cause
As mentioned before, most cat owners go through a process of elimination to determine what is causing their feline’s itchiness. There is a laundry list of issues that could result in feline itchiness.
Most cat owners start by determining whether their kitty has fleas. As a cat’s fur is so thick, these parasites might be hard to spot. Vets recommend using a reliable flea control product for 6-8 weeks to determine if the scratching, licking, and chewing stops. If the cat has fleas, this should be all that is necessary to eliminate the problem.
Allergies come in many forms, and diagnosing one in a cat can be challenging. If you suspect a cat food ingredient is your feline’s allergen, stop giving it to the cat immediately and try other brands. However, finding the right one could take a while as most foods contain similar ingredients. Dust, grass, and pollen allergies are easily treated with antihistamines. Keep some on-hand for a flare-up, especially during season changes. There is little you can do to diminish a cat’s exposure to such allergens, making prevention tricky, and meaning that treating the symptoms is your only recourse.
A surprising number of cats go into compulsive overgrooming mode due to anxiety, stress, or boredom. Felines experience anxiety for a variety of reasons, including drastic changes to their routine. Stress comes about after a move, the death of a loved one, introducing a new member to the household, or prolonged periods spent alone. Cats that do not get enough stimulation are also likely to go into a grooming overdrive simply to keep themselves occupied. Eliminating the reasons for anxiety, stress, or boredom or finding ways to help your cat adapt to new circumstances could address the matter.
Do not wait too long
A failure to investigate any causes of itchiness in felines can cause long-term harm. Severe wounds can leave scars where the fur will no longer grow. In some cases, cats rip out chunks of hair to relieve their itching, and it takes a long time to grow back. Leaving a cat to the point where it begins to self-mutilate should never be an option.
As soon as you realize a feline is experiencing skin discomfort, start working on finding the cause. A quick intervention will resolve a problem before it becomes substantial and requires expensive trips to a vet and chronic medication. Try to make your kitty comfortable during the recovery process, as any affected areas can be painful. Talk to a vet about what you can do to minimize your cat’s discomfort.
