Sores on your cat should always be evaluated by a veterinarian because they may be caused by parasites, an infection or contagious conditions like mites or ringworm. Ruling out conditions which can only be treated with prescription medication is crucial. Home remedies for sores and skin problems can be very helpful once you've determined the cause of the sore, or to keep your cat well and comfortable until you can get him to the vet. There are also home remedies, supplements and dietary changes that can keep your cat's skin healthy.
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Causes of Sores
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Because even short-haired cats have dense, thick fur, you may not see sores until they become very obvious, or unless there's accompanying hair loss. Cats are good at hiding signs of pain but often groom excessively when they are stressed or hurting. Look your cat over carefully if you see her licking her fur more than usual--there may be underlying irritation. If your cat goes outside or has contact with other cats, consider the possibility of an abscessed puncture wound. Cat teeth and claws can inflict deep, narrow punctures which quickly scab over. When this happens, bacteria and pus build up under the scab and can become very painful, and in some cases lethal.
Flea allergies in cats are not uncommon and generally manifest in sores and scabs down her back and at the base of her tail. In more severe cases, she'll lose fur and her skin will become red and irritated. Other causes of hair loss and irritated skin include mange and mites, ringworm and allergies to food, dust or pollen. Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose mange, mites, ringworm and flea allergies quite easily. If these are ruled out, you may try changing the type of food your cat eats or installing a HEPA filter in your heating and cooling system to filter the air. Poor nutrition in the form of all dry cat food, especially "weight control" food can also cause skin irritation, dryness and sores.
A final reason for hair loss and sores is excessive grooming due to stress. Cats can be sensitive to changes such as a move, a new pet in the household or even rearrangement of furniture.
Home Cures and Strategies
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If you find a puncture wound on your cat but can't get him to the vet right away, it's important not to let it scab over. Apply compresses with warm water and antibiotic soap to keep it clean and allow the wound to drain.
A veterinary-prescribed topical flea medication will deter fleas and make her feel better quickly, but a good home remedy for ongoing flea and parasite control is food grade diatomaceous earth (DE). DE is very fine sand that dehydrates and kills fleas as well as internal parasites. It can be added to food, brushed through fur and sprinkled in carpets and pet bedding.
Adding supplements such as fish oil for omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E to your cat's diet can help with skin problems. Fish oil is a natural anti inflammatory, and vitamin E provides antioxidants. If you feed a dry grain based commercial food, switching to a better brand of food, adding canned food, or switching to a cooked or raw diet can make a big difference in your cat's skin and coat health, according to Dr Jean Hofve, DVM. Dr Hofve also suggests yogurt with live cultures or probiotics for alleviating symptoms from any type of suspected allergy.
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