Cats Skin and Hair Conditions Articles

Cat skin and hair conditions are the first sign of vitamin deficiency in felines. If your cat is deficient in Vitamin A, Vitamin B5, and/or biotin, its skin and hair can appear dull and graying, and hair loss can result. Vitamin deficiency in cats is not the only cause of cat skin and hair problems. Certain skin conditions can be caused by certain food sensitivities or allergic reactions to plants and pesticides. Fleas, mites, stress, parasites, diabetes, thyroid disorder or cancer can cause other cat skin and hair conditions. Most cat skin and hair conditions can be treated successfully through topical or oral antibiotics, diet changes, and a number of homeopathic treatments. Fortunately, most cat skin and hair conditions can be prevented. To learn more about the different types of cat skin and hair conditions, treatment, and prevention, continue reading to get the facts.

• Zoonotic - Ringworm

  How to treat ringworms in cats and dogs and clean up around the house.

• Why Kitten Fur Loss Needs Veterinary Attention

  There are many causes of kitten fur loss. Fur loss can be caused by food allergies, fleas or parasites.

• Why Is Your Cat Losing Hair or Fur?

  If you notice your cat losing hair you should find the cause of this condition. In some cases, the hair loss is a natural process, while other cases can signal a disease...

• Why Do Cats Shed?

  Cats shed because it's natural and is linked to temperature control. In the warmer months, cats tend to shed some of their fur.

• Visually Recognizing Cat Skin Problems

  Cat skin problems can be caused by parasites, insects, allergies, endocrine imbalances, feline diseases or infections (bacterial or fungal). A cat owner should...

• Trimming Matted Cat Fur

  Cat matted fur is a common problem which can be dealt with using some simple tools and methods. A mat is a knotted mass of hair which sticks to the cat's body.

• Treatments for Cat Fur Loss

  Noticing that your pet is losing fur may be an alarming sign. The cat fur loss may be caused by a number of factors and diseases, so identifying these may lead to finding the optimal hair loss treatment.

• Treating Democectic Mange With Rotenone

  Demodectic mange is a rare skin disease in cats caused by Demodex cati or Demodex gatoi. Also known as red mange or democidosis, demodectic...

• Treating Bacterial Infection From Cat Acne with Mupirocin

  Mupirocin is a prescription oral treatment given to cats suffering from certain types of acne. Often this acne is caused from a bacterial infection, resulting...

• Treating a Cat for Matted Fur

  When you own a long-haired cat, matted fur is a battle. Brushing the clumps out takes hours and is rarely successful because even a patient cat grows tired of having his fur tugged and yanked.

• Tips to Stop Kitten Scratching

  Kitten scratching may be due to different health issues: skin problems, ear mites, fleas, allergies or yeast infections. You can stop the kitten scratching by understanding the causes of your kitten's behavior.

• The 8 Most Common Feline Skin Conditions

  Feline skin is your pet's largest organ. A healthy and well-groomed cat is less likely to suffer from feline skin problems, but even the most robust cat can contract an infection...

• Symptoms of Feline Dermatitis

  Feline dermatitis is the scientific term which is used when a cat's skin is inflamed. Dermatitis is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms which may point to a number of diseases.

• Stop Your Cat From Wool Sucking

  Cat wool sucking behavior appears to be a compulsion some cats have to lick, suck or chew on non-food items. Most cats choose wool, though some may prefer other fabrics or even human hair, plastic or cardboard.

• Skin Problems in Cats

  These are the most common causes of skin disease in the area in which I practice. The majority of skin infections in dogs and cats are due to Staphylococcus species of bacteria. These are usually referred to as “staph” infections, since it is easier to say. These bacteria are normal residents of the skin in many cases but if they get out of hand they can cause skin infections or sores. 

• Psychogenic Cat Alopecia Explained

  Psychogenic cat alopecia is a term used to described hair loss due to excessive grooming. Cats are noted for their hygiene and cleanliness.

• Pruritis or Itchy Skin

  Pruritis is the name for itchiness that causes pets to scratch. Several chemical reactions occur in the skin that stimulate the nerves, causing the brain to feel the itch. We treat a scratching pet by attempting to eliminate these reactions at the source and controlling the body's response to them as well.

• Promoting Skin and Hair Growth With a Cat Brush

  Using a cat brush can promote healthy skin and hair growth. However, sometimes a cat refuses to allow himself to be brushed and may even lick the brushing...

• Photo Gallery - Skin Problems - Acute Moist Pyoderma

  This is often a chronic condition , secondary to other disorders such as immune deficiencies and various allergic conditions.

• Photo Gallery - Skin - Demodectic Mange

  The highly reddened skin has caused this to be called red mange. In localized conditions, loss of hair around the eyes may be all that is noticed.

• Pemphigus in Cats

  Pemphigus foliaceous - My 8 year old Birman male cat has just been diagnosed with Pemphigus Foliaceous. He has constant infections of the toes, has acne around his mouth and nasal passage, and some inflammation around his penis.

• Oral Medications to Treat Feline Dermatitis

  Feline dermatitis is also known as cat eczema or feline military dermatitis. The skin suffers from irritation and the lesions are caused by allergies to food...

• Managing Feline Hair Loss With Hormone Therapy

  Understanding feline hair loss can help you deal with the condition effectively. Hair loss in your cat can be caused by many factors, primary a congenital condition.

• Lumps and Bumps

  It is best to get all lumps in the skin or subcutaneous tissue of cats examined by your vet. Lumps can occur due to abscesses or trauma leading to hematoma or seroma formation, which are collections of blood or serum, respectively, under the skin.

• Infectious - Ringworm

  Ringworm infections are often self-limiting, clearing up in 6 to 8 weeks whether they are treated, or not. But this is not always the case and there are cats who have very persistent problems with ringworm. In addition, many of the cats who no longer have ringworm lesions are still carriers of the disease.

• Identifying Common Cat Skin Diseases

  Cat skin diseases are one of the most common problems faced by cat owners. Your cat's skin serves a wide variety of purposes and is extremely important to the health of your cat.

• Humane Alternatives to Declawing Cats

  Declawing cats has fallen out of favor with may considerate cat owners, due to the pain and possible serious health problems that can accompany the procedure. If you're cautious about having your cat declawed but would still like to protect your home and furniture from the consequences of cat scratching, don't fret.

• Home Treatments for Feline Acne

  Feline acne is mostly located on the cat's chin and lip area, and may be found in cats of any breed, sex or age. Acne in cats may pass unnoticed due to the fur...

• Holistic Treatments for Feline Miliary Dermatitis

  Feline miliary dermatitis is a general term applied to numerous symptoms of skin problems among cats. The most common sign is the appearance of scabby lesions resembling millet seeds at the base of a cat's tail, or on its head or neck.

• Haircoat Problems in Cats

  Diabetes, allergies and hyperthyroidism are common causes of dander or oily haircoats in our practice. It may be worth having your vet check your cat if this problem continues.

• Giving Uncooperative Kittens a Bath

  Cats are clean animals, but they are not fans of water, preferring to use their own saliva to clean up. Giving kittens a bath can be a challenging task and uncooperative behavior is common, being triggered by the kitten's fear.

• Furball Digestion in Long Hair Cats

  Long hair cats are at higher risk for furballs than other breeds of cats. It's natural for cats to groom themselves; this keeps their coats clean.

• Fungal and Parasitic Infections in Cats

  Upper respiratory signs in cats (nasal discharge, sneezing, etc.) may come with some cat diseases, but a couple of people have written recently about their cats with this disorder and these cats had only coughing and weight loss as clinical signs.

• Foot Problems in Cats

  Dear Dr. Richards, About 15 mos. ago, we noticed our 5 yr. old cat, Annie, making a "clicking" noise when she walked and assumed she needed her nails clipped, which we did, but it continued. We discovered a rough crusty patch on the order of a wart or callus.

• Five Tips for Better Feline Skin Care

  Feline skin is a major organ; problems with the skin can affect and reflect the overall health of your cat. Feline skin problems correlate with parasites...

• Feline Acne Treatment With Benzoyl Peroxide

  Feline acne is more common than one would think, and does not just affect teen-aged cats. This condition is usually a minor health problem that causes a cat's chin to develop blackheads.

• Feline Acne

  There are several conditions that can resemble feline acne. These include Malassezia infection (yeast infection) of the chin, demodectic mange, deep bacterial follicle infections, usually with Staph bacteria or Pasteurella bacteria, ringworm.

• Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex

  The good news about this is that most cats with eosinophilic granuloma complex will not require corticosteroid use on a continuous basis. They do often require the use of corticosteroids

• Dry Skin Cat Remedies

  Some cats suffer from chronic dry skin and this type of cat is commonly referred to as a dry skin cat. Dry skin in cats can significantly increase the amount of dander that falls from the animal...

• Diagnosing Feline Skin Conditions

  Feline skin conditions can be caused by several factors and owners should be aware of warning signs to watch out for in order to diagnose cat coat and skin problems and administer the right treatment. Preventative care and hygiene are also important to control chronic skin and hair conditions and prevent future problems from occuring.

• Dealing With Cat Whiskers Falling Out

  Cat whiskers have an important role for the cat's body: they help judging distances and size, detecting objects and other animals from a considerable distance (even in the dark). The whiskers are sensitive to pressure and air movement. Generally, a cat has 24 whiskers on his face, 12 on each side.

• Clipping Kitten Claws Safely

  Clipping kitten claws is an important part of grooming. Started early, cat nail trimming will become an easy and quick part of your regular routine.

• Causes of Dry Skin on Cats

  Dry skin on cats is itchy and uncomfortable, and you may notice dandruff and excess shedding. Here are some of the most common causes of cat skin problems

• Causes of Cat Rash

  Cat rash is a broad term for various sores, lesions or infections that can affect your pet's skin. These problems result from a range of physiological, environmental and psychological factors.

• Causes of Cat Hair Loss

  Cat hair loss can occur anywhere on your cat's body. Excess shedding and patchy hair loss can be a sign of allergy, skin infection, parasites or illness.

• Cause of Cat Alopecia (Hair Loss)

  Cat alopecia is a condition that causes excessive hair loss, coat thinning or even bald patches. Cats lose hair during the shedding season and this is a natural process...

• Cat Skin Care Basics

  Cat skin care can help keep your cat's skin and fur healthy. There are some simple, general guidelines of skin care that apply to all cats, even the hairless breeds. Here's what you should know about cat skin care.

• Cat Hair Loss Patches Explained

  Cat hair loss could be a result of both mild and severe illnesses. Your cat's vet will conduct a thorough physical examination and ask you for signs or symptoms...

• Cat Hair Allergy Symptoms

  Pet owners often complain about cat hair allergy. People are not actually allergic to cat hair, but to a protein in cat dander and saliva.

• Cat Abscess Treatment

  A cat can get abscesses, especially in the chin and neck areas, for a variety of reasons. If your cat is an outdoor cat that fights a lot, scrapes and bites can quickly abscess.

• Behavior in Cats - Hair Damaging, Self Damaging

  There are several reasons that cats pull out their fur. Sometimes it is a behavioral thing but lots of times it is due to problems such as fleas, mange, ringworm (a fungal infection), allergies, immune mediated disease and bacterial infections.

• Baldness

  Cats have a pattern baldness (like human baldness) in which there is hairloss at the base of the ears. This usually occurs in an oval pattern between the base...

• Are Kitten Whiskers Breaking Off a Serious Concern?

  There are many theories as to why kitten whiskers break. Kittens are little mischief-makers who love to roughhouse, frolic and pounce on anything that moves.

• Are Hairless Cats Hypoallergenic?

  Cat allergies are a common issue for a large portion of the population, and many pet owners look to hairless cats as a solution to their allergy problems. A hairless cat, however, is not a guarantee against allergic reactions.

• All About Cat Dermatitis Treatment

  The term cat dermatitis applies to a variety of feline skin conditions like rashes, bumps, scabs and lesions. These problems are often the result of allergic reactions, infections, diseases and nutritional deficiencies.

• Abscess and other wounds in cats

  There are several things that cause abscesses to be difficult to treat. Feline leukemia virus infection or feline immunodeficiency virus infection can cause the immune system to fail to help clear up the abscess.

• A Guide to Cat Skin Allergy Types

  A cat skin allergy, seasonal or chronic, can be frustrating for the pet and his owner alike.

• A Guide to Cat Acne Treatment and Prevention

  Cat acne is one of the most common feline diseases. When mild, cat acne does not show any clinical symptoms.

• 6 Signs of Skin Cancer in Your Cat

  Cat cancer of the skin is a treatable condition, provided it is detected in time. Cats die more often from skin cancer than humans and this is mainly due to the fact that the cat cancer is not detected.

• 5 Cat Skin Conditions Requiring Immediate Treatment

  There are several cat skin conditions that require immediate attention, since they can pose serious health problems. Parasites, allergies, insects, endocrine...

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