Causes of Feline Itching

Cats often suffer from a variety of conditions that can cause intense itching. Fleas are one cause of itching in cats; however, other causes include food allergies, ear mites, mange and ringworm. A veterinarian should evaluate cats who suffer from intense itching for proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

  1. Ringworm

    • Ringworm is a common fungal infection in cats. Cats contract ringworm when parasitic fungal organisms invade the outlayers of the cat's skin, hair and claws. Round patches of hair loss on the cat's body are a sign of ringworm. Intense itching, hair loss, dry skin and infection of the claw and clawbed are also signs that your cat has ringworm.

    Allergies

    • Allergies to certain substances cause feline itching. Allergies to certain types of foods can make cats itch miserably. Other types of allergies include flea bites, inhalant allergies and contact allergies. Allergies occur when the cat has a response to a substance in which he is exposed. In allergic cats, the immune system overreacts to the substance, producing allergy symptoms. People who are allergic to certain substances most often react by developing a running nose and sneezing. In cats, skin itching and irritation are the most common symptom of allergies.

    Mange

    • According to Pet Education.com, mange causes feline itching. Infection due to the mange mite causes demodectic mange. Demodectic mange causes symptoms of itching, hair loss, redness and scaly skin. Demodectic mange can affect any portion of the cat's body, but is often localized to a certain area. Immune deficient cats most often suffer a generalized type of mange, which means it is located over a larger portion of their body.

    Ear Mites

    • Mites are part of the spider family; several types of mites can affect cats, such as Otodectic mange and Notoedric mange. Mites can live anywhere on a cat's body; however, ear mites are the most common type of mite to affect cats. Ear mites can make cats itch and scratch miserably. Itching and pawing at the ears is the most common symptom of ear mites. Shaking the head, ear odor and a discharge from the ear are also signs of ear mites.