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Why are my cats scratching until they bleed with bald spots?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 3 months old | 9 lbs

My two cats wont stop scratching. They scratch so much that i end up seeing bloody scabs mainly on their neck, back of the head and sometimes where thair tail begins. We believe they might be fleas but they get showered often and treated. My biggest concern right now is my little one. She has been scratching so much she now has a bald spot on her neck looks infected, bloody and swollen and another one in the back of her head. Dont know if its fleas, the heat or the food they've been eating.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on July 8th, 2017

This sounds like a reaction to fleas or some other allergen. Fleas are the most likely. Fleas don't live on the animals so make sure you treat your house and yard for fleas as well. Make sure you have them both on a high quality flea preventative like frontline plus or comfortis or cheristan. The over the counter flea preventative like hartz don't usually work and can cause bad reactions. Finally, since you are seeing scabs and swollen bald areas, they likely have secondary bacterial infection. I would have your vet do an exam. They will be able to determine if they need an antibiotics or even an injection to help with the itching. I hope this helps.

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    Answered By Dr. Rachel

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Poor kitties! In order to properly treat for fleas, a veterinary flea preventative is recommended - over-the-counter products are very often ineffective. It is also important to thoroughly clean the environment to break the flea life cycle as fleas lay eggs in the ground (carpet, grass, etc.). Here is some information: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1575. Once a flea infestation is ruled out, you can talk to your veterinarian about putting your cats on a prescription hypoallergenic diet. This is the only way to completely rule out the possibility of a food allergy. If not a food allergy, environmental allergy is possible - and your veterinarian can help determine what tests and medications would be needed to treat for this.

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    Answered By Anna M., DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Since both cats are scratching, I would be most suspicious of a parasite, and if they're focusing at the base of their tail, I would be most concerned about fleas. Heat doesn't typically cause scratching, and it would be unusual for two cats to have the same food allergy, so I don't think either of those are factors. Even if they are regularly bathed, that won't typically control fleas, since they will be found in the environment as well as on the cats. I recommend treating them both with a good flea preventative, such as Revolution or Bravecto, and continue the treatment for at least 3 months. Also make sure you're treating the environment by washing their bedding, vaccuming carpets, etc. If one of the cats has a spot that looks potentially infected, you should have her seen by a vet in case she needs additional treatment such as antibiotics. Your vet should be able to help determine if fleas are indeed the problem. Finally, fleas can transmit tapeworms so I would recommend treating both cats with a good dewormer. Hope that helps!

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