Feline Itching Symptoms

Excessive licking, feline itching and biting, accompanied by hair loss, reddened skin and obvious discomfort signal the need for immediate veterinary attention. However, certain causes of feline itching manifest themselves with additional symptoms that are specific to that cause.

Cats suffering from flea allergy dermatitis tend to itch their rump areas, which causes oozing lesions (lick granuloma) to develop on the rump, tail, hind legs and belly areas and skin hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) to develop on the hips or face. Allergic reactions to insect bites range from mild to severe. Feline itching appears in moderate allergic reactions (called urticaria). Urticaria is an extremely itchy vascular reaction that is characterized by hives, rapid swelling and redness of the lips and around the eyes and neck region. The hives and swelling response are triggered by antibodies developed by the immune system against the insect venom; inflammatory cells release substances that create the reaction.

Atophy symptoms such as feline itching appear in young cats, usually by one year of age. The symptoms may start out as seasonal and generally during the summer months when airborne allergens proliferate. Symptoms begin to appear year-round as the cat ages and develops sensitivities to more substances. The symptoms of food allergies, including feline itching, are similar to those of atophy with the exception of food-specific symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Feline itching tends to mainly affect (but is not limited to) the front and rear paws. Cats may also chew at their paws and shake their heads excessively. The skin becomes red and irritated, and the ears inflamed, from intense feline itching.

Contact allergies do not often occur in cats because the majority of their skin is covered with fur; however, they may develop in exposed areas. Symptoms are similar regardless of whether contact dermatitis is caused by an allergic reaction or simple exposure to a skin irritant. Cat owners should watch for feline itching, crusting, blisters, ulcerations and thickening of the skin.

Feline itching is the main symptom of scabies. Other symptoms include patchy hair loss and crusty sores and the presence of small red lesions on the skin. The itching does not respond to symptomatic treatment and the cat scratches and chews itself excessively. Only a few mites need be present to trigger a feline itching reaction and the itching may persist after treatment for the mite infestation has concluded.

Hair loss, crusty sores and feline itching are characteristic of demodectic and notoedric mange. Other than feline itching, cheyletiellosis symptoms include redness of the skin and a flaky, scaly coat that resembles dandruff. This resemblance to dandruff is the source of the condition’s “walking dandruff” nickname.

The pyoderma (skin infections) and feline ear infections both present with excessive feline itching, along with skin lesions, pimples and draining sores in the case of pyoderma and ear pain, head shaking and an abnormal discharge or odor in the case of feline ear infections.

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