My indoor cat scratches to open sores. Is it allergies? What to do?

Question

My cat has been digging to the point where he has open sores. We have bathed him and treated him with flea medicine, but now I'm afraid to put anything on him for fear of burning him because of the sores. He is an indoor cat and never goes outside. Could this be an allergy? If so what do you recommend to treat this problem? Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 7 years and 11 months old | 15 lbs

Kevin Sanada, DVM · Accepted Answer

Itchy skin like this is often due to one of the following things: 1) Allergies - this can happen suddenly and is usually due to an environmental (i.e pollen) cause. Allergies need to be diagnosed by a veterinarian, because other problems can look similar and the treatment would be different. 2) External parasites - fleas, lice and mites can all cause intense itching. It's best to have a vet check him for mites, because these are microscopic and can cause intense itching. 3) Over-bathing, or using the wrong product for bathing - Bathing too often can cause the skin to get dry and irritated. Cats should normally be bathed no more than once a month with a shampoo that is labeled for cats. If you bathe more than that, or use a shampoo or soap that is meant for people, then you could be damaging the normal protective barrier of the skin. One thing you can do for itchy skin, is give a bath with cool water using an oatmeal or aloe shampoo. You can get these shampoos at the pet store. Do not apply shampoo to the sores - it's better to just flush them with cool water. Considering he is scratching to the point of having open sores, I recommend taking him to the vet for an examination. We can usually discover the cause quickly and provide the most effective treatment. For more information about allergies and itching, I recommend you read the information at the links below. https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-tell-if-your-pet-has-allergies/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/4-great-strategies-for-relieving-your-dog-s-allergies/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/skin-allergies-vs-food-allergies/ I hope that helps and Tito gets better soon.

My indoor cat scratches to open sores. Is it allergies? What to do?

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