Ask Dr. Jenn: Why is My Cat Scratching So Much?

Cats like to groom themselves by licking their fur. This gives them a clean, shiny coat and prevents the fur from matting in long-haired cats. Biting and scratching is not a part of normal grooming and is a sign that something is bothering Tiki.

Tiki may have fleas. You are more likely to see fleas in areas where the fur is thinner, such as the neck and abdomen. But cats are such fastidious groomers and often remove and swallow fleas. Unless they have a heavy flea infestation, you may have a hard time spotting them.

Signs Your Cat Has Fleas

Another tell-tale sign of fleas is flea dirt. Flea dirt is the excrement of fleas. Since fleas feast on the blood of an animal, their excrement contains partially digested blood. It has a black appearance and is often curved in a C-shape. If you put pieces of flea dirt on a paper towel and place a few drops of water on it, it will turn a rusty brown or red color. Regular dirt will stay the same color.

You can find flea dirt by parting the fur and looking closely at the skin or combing the fur with a flea comb to pick up small particles. The best areas to check for fleas are along the back, especially just above the tail and on the fur on the abdomen.

How to Treat Fleas in Cats

It is never wrong to treat fleas, even if you don’t see any live fleas or flea dirt. Some cats are so sensitive that it only takes one or two fleas to make them extremely itchy.  I do not recommend flea shampoo. Many flea shampoos contain harsh chemicals that may irritate the skin and make the problem worse. Instead, look for topical or oral medications that are safe for cats. Some topical medications are safe for dogs but cause tremors in cats. If you treat fleas with a safe and efficacious product made for cats, and Tiki continues to scratch, there is likely another cause.

Signs Your Cat Has Ear Mites

Ear mites are another parasite that can make kitties really itchy. As the name implies, ear mites live in the ears and do not travel to other parts of the body or skin, so the itchiness and irritation is confined to the head. If Tiki is mainly scratching or rubbing his head, look at his ears. Ear mites will cause a lot of dark debris to build up within the ear canals.

Signs Your Cat Has Allergies

Parasites such as fleas and mites are not the only cause of skin issues. In my experience, many itchy cats have allergies. Tiki could be allergic to something in the environment, such as pollen, dust mites, or grass. Or maybe a cleaning product or laundry detergent. Some cats are allergic to components in their food.

Managing cat allergies can be tricky and sometimes very frustrating, so if you suspect allergies, you should consult your veterinarian for guidance on diagnosing and treating.

Signs Your Cat is Stressed

Stress can also lead to overgrooming. Small changes in your home can cause anxiety in cats – a new appliance that buzzes, a person moving in or out, a new pet, or even an increase in traffic outside the house. Tiki may be releasing stress by grooming excessively. He may lick and bite at his fur causing areas of thinner and shorter hair. But stress does not cause skin to be itchy, so you won’t see much, if any scratching.

Signs Your Cat is Having a Reaction to Medication

A final, very uncommon cause of scratching is a reaction to medication. Certain medications, such as hyperthyroid treatments, can cause the skin to be really itchy. If Tiki takes medication regularly, contact your veterinarian to see if it could be a drug reaction.

I hope that you can figure out what is causing Tiki to bite and scratch and that you can make him more comfortable. If the scratching is excessive and you are seeing scabs or open sores on the skin, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. He may need antibiotics for a skin infection.