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Why is my 8-week-old kitten's nose and tail peeling? What to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

I've an 8 week old kitten which i only had for 3 weeks. Between them weeks he's been back and forth to the vet but now i've recently seen that his nose is peeling and so is his tail. He's never been washed with anything his bedding is changed every couple of days so i don't dont where he could have got this from. it looks like it's all dead skin on his nose and tail falling off but i'm really worried i don't know what to do

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By David Darvishian

Veterinarian

Published on August 9th, 2017

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to see that you are experiencing a problem. The pictures are a little blurry but a few things come to mind especially in an 8 wk old kitten. Ringworm which is a fungal infection is commonly seen on the head and tail of kittens. Other causes include intestinal parasites/nutritional problems, bacterial skin infections, fleas or other external parasites, etc. Your vet should be consulted especially since ringworm is contagious to other animals that have direct or indirect contact and Humans. It's considered a zoonotic disease because it can pass between animals and people. Your vet can do an evaluation and then advise some tests to diagnose the problem (Wood's lamp exam, fungal culture, fecal exam, skin scrape, etc.) Once a diagnosis is made or even before if waiting for test results, they can formulate a sound treatment plan to address what is causing the problem or what is suspected of causing it. Good luck with the kitten.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on August 10th, 2017

    Possible causes for the skin issues at both locations include trauma (either self-trauma or possibly from another pet), or skin issues such as ringworm, mites, fleas, or allergies. I am concerned that Harley keeps biting at the wound that has been created. It is possible that he is very itchy and this is his way of trying to itch the spot. I recommend that you have Harley re-checked by a vet. Possible diagnostics that the vet may recommend is a skin scrape, skin cytology, fungal culture, or examination with a Wood's Lamp. Once there is a diagnosis, the vet can prescribe appropriate medications. I would make sure to express your concerns that Harley is biting his tail and that it could be from pain or itch.

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