Cats love to groom, so much so that it’s quite normal for them to groom themselves for up to half of the time they are awake! But if you notice that your cat suddenly seems to be doing little else, it could be a sign of skin irritation or itchiness. There are lots of reasons why your cat may start itching, scratching and overgrooming. In this article we’ll look at the most common causes and how you might get your cat some welcome relief.
Common causes of itching in cats
Parasites. Fleas are far and away the most common cause of itchiness and overgrooming in cats. Even if your cat spends most or all of their time indoors, they can still get fleas because they can be brought in on our clothing. Fleas tend to cause most irritation around the head, neck and the base of the tail, so if you notice these areas being tended to most, fleas may well be the issue. Fleas actually spend most of their time off the cat, so for every flea you see on the cat there will be at least another hundred in the house! Bald patches and scabs, especially in the areas we mentioned are common, especially if your cat is allergic to fleas. In these cats, just one bite can cause huge reactions and severe itching and irritation.
Other parasites like mites may also be an occasional problem.
Atopic dermatitis (atopy). Some cats are allergic to things in the environment such as pollen, grasses, dust mites and so on, and often they have multiple allergies. In the case of pollen and plants, you may notice that your cat is worse at certain times of the year.
Food allergy. Just as with atopy, food allergies can cause skin irritation and itching, too. The most common food allergies in cats are beef, fish, chicken and dairy products.
Tasty Tips
Skin infection. Skin infections aren’t very common in cats and are often secondary to other things. For instance, if your cat has been scratching and overgrooming so much that they’ve damaged the skin, bacteria from their mouth and skin can penetrate and set up infection in the deeper layers of the skin. This becomes a vicious itch/scratch cycle.
Stress. Stress is a really important cause of overgrooming and hair loss in cats and can easily be confused with a genuine skin problem. Usually, hair loss due to this kind of grooming doesn’t result in skin damage the way that the intense itch of allergies does. .
What can you do to help your cat?
Keeping parasite control up to date is the very first thing you can do. If you can prevent fleas and other parasites from multiplying, you will be one step ahead of the game.
If you do notice problems such as excessive licking or scratching, then it’s best to see your vet, and sooner rather than later. The treatment your cat receives will vary depending on the cause of the irritation, and your vet may also want to do a food elimination trial to rule out an allergy while other tests are ongoing. For skin cases, these food trials may need to go on for 8-12 weeks. If stress is found to be the cause of the overgrooming, your vet or nurse team can give you some great tips about how to reduce stress at home and reduce or avoid possible conflict between your cats.
Skin issues can be difficult to diagnose, so the sooner your vet can get on the diagnostic road, the sooner your cat will get relief from that ever-annoying itch.
Reviewed by Dr. Hein Meyer, DVM, PhD, Dipl-ECVIM-CA
Related products
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Wet Cat Food with Turkey is a complete pet food for adult cats, aged 1–6 years. This highly digestible wet food comes in a pouch and supports healthy digestion, as well as nourishes skin and promotes a thick and lustrous coat.
Perfect Digestion Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Perfect Digestion Cat Food with Chicken & Brown Rice nourishes your cat's unique microbiome and helps them reach their full potential.
Sterilised Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Sterilised Cat Dry Food with Salmon is specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology. It is a precisely balanced nutrition, tailored to meet the needs of sterilised cats, to help keep them lean & healthy.
Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Dry Cat Food with Chicken
Hill's Science Plan Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Cat Food with Chicken is formulated to effectively help avoid hairball formation in adult cats while promoting a beautiful coat. Thanks to its mix of essential omega-6 fatty acids, this food benefits the cat's skin and fur, keeping them healthy and shiny. Our Advanced Fibre Technology helps reduce hairballs by naturally promoting their passage through the gut. This food is formulated with high-quality protein for a perfectly balanced, great-tasting recipe.
Related articles
Healthy Homemade Cat Treat Recipes
Learn how to make homemade cat treats that are healthy for your pet with this recipe from Hills Pet Nutrition.
Choosing the Best Cat Food: What to Look For
From essential vitamins & minerals to different types of meat, learn what to look for when choosing the best cat food for your feline.
Is Chocolate Bad for Cats?
Chocolate is known to be poisonous for dogs, but it can also be toxic for cats. Learn why chocolate is bad for cats & what to do if she's eaten it.
How and When To Feed Your Mature Cat?
There are three common ways to feed a cat. Each way has its advantages and disadvantages.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.