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.

• Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?

  "Why do cats have whiskers?" is a common question for new cat owners. A cat's whiskers help him do several things, including find his way around or measure openings that may be too small for your pet to fit through.

• When Do Cats Shed the Most?

  Most breeds of cats shed year-round, although there are certain times when they shed more than others.

• What Is the Best Coat Supplement for Cats?

  Supplements for cats are additional sources of nutrition administered to increase the pet's quality of life. Although routine grooming benefits pets of all ages and breeds, supplements enhance the cat's skin and coat and help them maintain optimal health.

• What Is the Best Cat Dry Skin Remedy

  Because it can be caused by underlying illnesses and be uncomfortable for you pet, it's important to know how to care for cat dry skin.

• 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...

• Understanding Cat Dandruff

  Cat dandruff is a condition in which your pet sheds dead skin at an excessive rate. Not to be confused with cat dander, which is a normal process that involves your pet discarding dead skin cells, cat dandruff is not commonly associated with human allergies. However, it may signal a health condition that requires your attention and treatment.

• 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.

• Treatment Options for Hair Loss in Cats

  Hair loss in cats may be caused by diverse factors ranging from food allergies to diseases. Treatment options are available depending on the cause of hair loss.

• Treating Pruritus (Itchy Cat Skin) with Antihistamines

  Itchy cat skin, also known as pruritus can be caused by a number of factors including diet, environment of diseases. The treatment of pruritus with antihistamines is effective only if the condition is caused by allergies or unknown causes.

• 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 Cheyletiella Mange (Walking Dandruff) in Cats

  If your cat spends time outside or has any contact with wild animals, he is at risk for cheyletiella mange. This condition is characterized by itchy and irritated skin as well as unusual shedding and dandruff.

• Treating Cat Skin Sores

  Feline skin sores and skin lesions can occur for a number of different reasons. Sometimes, they're the result of skin disease.

• Treating Cat Skin Infections with Clavamox

  Cat skin is very sensitive in comparison to most other pets. Skin infections can occur due to a variety of factors such as bacterial infections, flea dermatitis and fungal infections.

• Treating Cat Skin Conditions with Coconut Oil

  Cat skin contains natural oils that keep the coat shiny and healthy and prevent dry, itchy skin. However, if your cat develops a skin condition, coconut oil is a natural remedy that can be applied topically or given orally to improve skin and coat.

• 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 Difference between Cat Fur and Cat Hair

  Cat fur serves as protective cover against environmental hazards and allergens. It also protects the cat from harsh sun rays.

• 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...

• The 4 Most Common Cat Skin Allergies

  Cat skin allergies are skin conditions that cause discomfort to the pet, due to allergens that aren’t accepted by the body. This results in hypersensitivity and symptoms of redness and inflammation on various parts of the body.

• Symptoms of the 4 Most Common Cat Skin Conditions

  Whether mild or severe, cat skin conditions are often the most readily recognized diseases that your pet may face. Symptoms for these conditions tend to be noticeable upon quick visual inspection of your cat.

• Symptoms of Solar Dermatitis in Cats

  Solar dermatitis, also known as actinic dermatitis, is a skin condition caused by sunburn. Solar dermatitis can range in its severity; however, the major issue with this skin condition is that it often leads to squamous cell carcinoma, or skin cancer.

• 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.

• Supplements for Cat Dry Skin Treatment

  Cat dry skin may be caused by a number of factors including allergies, hormonal imbalance or a poor diet and can cause a lot of discomfort including itchiness. The cat will scratch his skin and this may lead to secondary infections.

• 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. 

• Skin Cancer in Cats

  Skin cancer in cats has a high frequency rate in mature and elderly felines and may be due to sun or other environmental factors. Cats with white skin or hairless cats are more prone to skin cancer due to their sensitivity to sun.

• Scabs on Cats

  When there are scabs on cats, there are multiple reasons as to why they have developed. The reasons why cats will have scabs include allergic reactions, skin infections, skin parasites, immune system diseases and even stress.

• Scabby Cat Disease

  Scabby cat disease is also known as eczema or miliary dermatitis. The condition manifests on the skin with swelling, redness and lesions which cause extreme itchiness.

• Safe Cat Nail Trimming a Home

  Trimming a cat nail is not the easiest task for a pet owner. It's a procedure that most cats do not enjoy and it can be hard to pin your cat down without getting scratched to bits.

• Safe Cat Ear Hair Trimming

  Trimming cat ear hair is typically an aesthetic decision made by a cat owner. A pet owner can trim a cat’s ear hairs on her own, but there are some considerations to take into account before doing so.

• Relief for Itchy Cat Skin

  Itchy cat skin is a symptom of parasites, irritated skin or internal diseases. Relieving the itchiness is important to keep the cat healthy.

• 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.

• Psychogenic Alopecia: Cat Hair Loss Due to Pulling

  Cat hair loss can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, but often, cats lose hair due to a compulsive hair pulling, a condition known as feline psychogenic alopecia. Feline psychogenic alopecia is similar to the human condition trichotillomania, which causes patients to compulsively pull out hair from the scalp, face and body.

• 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.

• Pet Skin Allergies

  Pet skin allergies, also known as Allergic Dermatitis, can have any number of culprits. When dogs or cats have an allergic reaction to something, it is their skin that will be affected.

• 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.

• Pannus in Cats

  Pannus is also called superficial keratitis and is a disease that can occur in cats and may lead to blindness of not treated in time. Pannus affects the cornea and the conjunctiva and may be visible as opaque lesions in the eye.

• 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...

• Natural Remedies for Feline Skin Allergies

  Feline skin allergies, also known as atopy is a condition caused by substances present in the air or the environment the cat lives in. The symptoms include itchy skin, licking of skin accompanied by sneezing or watery eyes.

• Medicated Pet Shampoo Products

  Medicated pet shampoo can provide comfort for pets suffering from allergies and skin infections. Veterinarians often prescribe medicated shampoo, but plenty of effective over-the-counter varieties are also effective.

• 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.

• Jaundice in Cats

  Jaundice in cats is a condition where the skin has a yellow tinge, rather than the normal pinkish hue. While it can be difficult to actually see the appearance of jaundice on the skin of a cat because of its coat, it can often be seen in the whites of the eyes, the gums, the pads of the feet, and insides of the ears.

• Is Cat Mange Contagious?

  Cat mange can be of several types and is a condition that will affect the cat’s skin causing constant scratching, skin flaking or bumps. The type of cat mange should be diagnosed, as some types of mange are contagious to other cats, dogs and even humans.

• 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.

• How to Get Rid of Cat Fur Knots

  Cat fur can occasionally become tangled, particularly in long-haired cats. Tangled fur may develop into fur knots, which can result in irritation and itching on the cat's skin.

• How Much Cat Hair Loss Is Excessive?

  Cat hair loss, also known as alopecia, can be an alarming condition if the amount of hair your cat is losing seems excessive. Normal shedding occurs due to temperature changes, and as hair follicles change, dead hair is released so as not to cause irritation.

• How Effective Is Hairball Cat Food?

  There are many types of hairball cat food on the market. This food is designed specifically to rid hairballs by promoting function of the digestive system.

• 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.

• Fungus Medicine for Cats

  Fungus medicine for cats is available to treat all types of cat fungus, including ringworm, yeast infections and other systemic fungal infections

• 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.

• Flea Allergy Dermatitis in Cats

  Flea allergy dermatitis happens to be the most common allergy in cats. Dermatitis simply means the inflammation of skin. The allergic reaction is caused by the saliva of the flea. In a sense, cats are allergic to flea bites.

• 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 Staph Infection

  A case of feline staph infection occurs when the Staphylococcus bacteria infects the skin of a domesticated cat. The Staphylococcus bacterium is very common, and naturally resides in the skin of every cat. The condition is only called a staph infection when the bacteria start to cause problems in the cat’s skin and hair follicles.

• Feline Solar Dermatitis

  Feline solar dermatitis is caused due to excessive exposure to the sun. Pets that aren't treated for solar dermatitis are likely to develop skin cancer or squamous cell carcinoma. Solar dermatitis is also known as actinic dermatitis and mostly occurs in pets living in places with sunny climatic conditions.

• Feline Miliary Dermatitis Treatment with Pyrethrin

  Feline Miliary Dermatitis is a condition, also known as "scabby cat disease", that causes a cat's skin to develop red patches, bumps or irritation. Feline Miliary Dermatitis is not a disease unto itself, but more of a symptom of any number of other diseases or infections in cats.

• Feline Miliary Dermatitis Treatment

  Feline miliary dermatitis is a common skin condition in domesticated cats. The disease derives the ‘miliary’ part of its name from the lesions that look like millet seeds, and dermatitis refers to skin inflammation.

• Feline Miliary Dermatitis

  Feline miliary dermatitis is a skin condition that commonly affects domesticated cats. The condition warrants the name miliary because the scabs on the cat's skin look like millet seeds.

• Feline Iris Hyperpigmentation: Melanosis in Cats

  Hyperpigmentation of the iris is a relatively uncommon condition in cats. The iris is the portion of the eye surrounding the pupil and containing color.

• Feline Hair Loss Prevention through Diet

  Feline hair loss occurs in a large number of cats each year. While a certain degree of hair loss is to be expected through natural shedding, as your cat changes between a lighter summer coat and a heavier winter coat, excessive thinning or loss of fur can signal a health concern of some kind.

• Feline Hair Loss on Legs

  Feline hair loss, when it goes beyond the normal amount of shedding or comes out only in certain areas such as on the legs, can be a reason for concern. There are many things that can cause this to happen, ranging from the simple to the serious.

• Feline Endocrine Alopecia Treatment

  Not everybody knows a feline endocrine alopecia treatment, as this skin condition is quite rare. At the moment, the cause of this cat health condition is not pinpointed, but hormones represent the main suspects.

• Feline Dandruff Control through Diet

  Feline dandruff control is a concern that many pet owners share. A certain degree of shedding and dander are to be expected with any pet, but problems of the skin or coat can lead to excessive loss of dry or flaky skin.

• Feline Cheyletielosis: Walking Dandruff in Cats

  Walking dandruff, or cheyletiellosis, is a mite infection similar to fleas but often more painful and difficult to get rid of.

• 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

  Feline acne is not uncommon, and can be caused by lack of proper hygiene, hormonal imbalance or other skin or internal problems. A lot of owners don’t notice acne, as fur covers the cat’s skin; however, cats still develop acne in the face and chin area.

• 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.

• Features of Natural Cat Skin Care Products

  Of all the animals that are bred specifically for domestication by humans, cats are one of the most likely to develop skin problems, so if you own a cat, skin care for your pet should be an important part of your routine. There are a variety of natural feline skin care products that you should be aware of.

• Excessive Shedding in Cats

  Shedding is a natural process in cats, but excessive shedding can be a warning sign of a disease. Outdoor cats tend to shed more in spring and keep their warm coat for the winter months. Indoor cats may shed all year long.

• 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...

• Dog Scratching But No Fleas

  Dog scratching is a behavior that may occur when the dog has fleas, but there are also other physical or psychological factors that may cause this symptom. These causes range from allergies to anxiety.

• Dietary Causes of Alopecia Areata in Cats

  Cats may lose hair due to various causes including parasites or skin diseases. However, cat hair loss may be considered normal, as cats shed their coats.

• Diet Recommendations for Preventing Cat Hairballs

  Cat hairballs are frequent problems in cats and they form due to the hair that is ingested while the cat is grooming his coat. The hairballs may be digested or coughed up; hairballs may be a potential health risk, as they may cause blockage of the air ways or the intestinal tract.

• Diagonsing Sarcoptic Mange in Cats

  Sarcoptic mange is a contagious parasitic infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. While cats of all ages may contract sarcoptic mange, younger animals are at the highest risk.

• Diagnosing Ringworm in Cats

  Ringworm in cats is an infection caused by fungi that are present on the cat's skin. The fungi cause itchiness and circular lesions on the skin.

• Diagnosing Pruritis: Itchy Cat Skin

  Itchy cat skin can be signaling parasites, allergies, poor nutrition or internal diseases. Diagnosing itchy cat skin, known as pruritis, is important to start the treatment and relieve the itchiness.

• Diagnosing Irritant Contact Dermatitis in Cats

  Irritant contact dermatitis, to be distinguished from allergic contact dermatitis, is a skin condition affecting thousands of cats in all parts of the world. Unlike allergic contact dermatitis, which is caused by allergies to dust, mites, food or other common substances, irritant contact dermatitis is brought about by contact with one or more harmful chemical substances.

• 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.

• Diagnosing Dermatitis in Cats

  Dermatitis in cats can be an unpleasant experience for both you and your pet. Diagnosis is a key step in treating the variety of symptoms associated with dermatitis, like skin rashes, bumps, scabs, lesions and blisters.

• Diagnosing Cat Skin Problems

  Cat skin can fall into very broad categories and may be hard to diagnose. There are many types cat skin problems, and causes range from dermatitis to fungal infection to allergies.

• Diagnosing Cat Skin Lesions

  Cat skin lesions or skin sores often accompany various illnesses. The sores may appear along with skin inflammation and discharge, commonly known as pus.

• Diagnosing Cat Hair Loss

  Cat hair loss is a relatively common symptom, as well as a naturally occurring process. Most breeds shed their fur twice per year, although individual cats may fall within a spectrum of healthy hair loss.

• Diagnosing a Cat Skin Irritation

  Skin irritation in cats may occur due to different internal or external factors and can cause a lot of discomfort. Diagnosing a cat skin irritation can be done judging by a few symptoms the cat displays and by performing a few clinical tests.

• Dog Articles
• Cat Articles
• Local Veterinarians
• Ask A Vet