Why is My Kitten Scratching Continuously?

If you notice your kitten constantly scratching or licking its skin, it may suffer from a skin condition that requires veterinary treatment. External parasites and skin infections are both common causes of itching in kittens. These parasites or infections lead to lesions, bumps and redness of the kitten's skin. A proper diagnosis helps the veterinarian determine the best course of treatment to relieve your kitten's itchy, irritated skin.

  1. Ringworm

    • A type of fungus called dermatophyte causes ringworm infection. This skin condition leads to itchy lesions on the skin of the head, ears and forelimbs, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The condition affects kittens under 1 year old, leading to flaky round patches that appear red in the center. The fungus survives in warm, humid environments and spreads in the close confines of an animal shelter. Kittens with ringworm need veterinary treatment to treat this fungal infection that can be passed to humans. Treatment may include oral medications and bathing with a chlorhexidine and miconazole shampoo, says the Fabcats website.

    Fleas

    • Fleas -- small, wingless insects -- commonly infest a kitten's coat, causing it to scratch at its itchy skin, according to the ASPCA. These skin parasites bite your kitten's skin, causing the itching. Fleas feed off of the kitten's blood. In young kittens, a flea infestation can lead to anemia or even death without treatment. Take a flea comb, a type of fine-tooth comb, and brush your kitten's fur with it to determine if it has fleas. Concentrate on the area around the neck and the base of the tail. If you find small, black insects or black spots called flea dirt, your kitten has fleas.

    Mites

    • If the kitten scratches at its ears continuously, it likely suffers from an ear mite infestation, common in kittens. The Pet Place website says almost 90 percent of cats contract mites at some point in their lives. Signs of an ear mite infestation include dark, crumbly discharge from the ears and an unpleasant odor. Other types of mites can also cause a condition called mange on the kitten's body. Cheyletiella, notoedres and demodex mites can cause itching, scaling, redness and hair loss on the kitten's body says the Pet Education website. Sarcoptic mange, also called scabies, primarily affects kittens, leading to severe itching.

    Treatment

    • If your kitten displays signs of itching by constantly scratching at its skin or excessively licking its skin and coat, take it to a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. The doctor will give the kitten a physical examination, inspecting it for external parasites. He may also take a skin scraping to examine under a microscope for a proper diagnosis of the cause of the itching. Depending on the kitten's age, he may recommend a topical or oral flea treatment safe for use in kittens. Ear mites require treatment with an ear miticide containing pyrethrin, while mange mites are treated with lime sulfur dips, Pet Education reports.