How to Identify Skin Diseases in Cats: A Vet Explains Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention

If your cat frequently licks or scratches its body, or has hair loss, a skin disease may be the cause.

A closer look at the affected skin may reveal eczema, scabs, redness, or sores. This article will explain cat skin diseases, with some overlap with previously discussed topics on hair loss.

How to Identify and Understand Cat Skin Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of cat skin disease primarily include frequent licking, scratching, hair loss (partial or generalized), redness, eczema, sores, and swelling. Owners often notice itching, hair loss, or frequent licking, leading them to seek veterinary care. In some cases, severe matting may also reveal an underlying skin inflammation.

What Causes Cat Skin Diseases?

Skin diseases can be caused by infections, external parasites, allergies, autoimmune diseases, tumors, psychogenic factors, or hormonal imbalances.

Infections

Bacterial or fungal infections can cause skin inflammation and dermatitis. Itching and eczema may occur. Even healthy skin has resident bacteria and fungi, but they usually do no harm. However, if itching develops for some reason, these resident microorganisms can overgrow and lead to secondary bacterial dermatitis.

Fungal dermatitis is characterized by circular hair loss. Dermatophytes, a type of fungus, are the main cause, but other fungi can also cause dermatitis. It can infect soft skin areas (e.g., paws, arms, face), causing hair loss with surrounding red, inflamed skin. This type of dermatitis is also known as ringworm. It can spread to other cats and humans. Malassezia, a type of yeast that is a resident skin microorganism, thrives in oily skin and can cause a distinctive odor and itching when it overgrows.

External Parasite Infestations

Skin inflammation can be caused by fleas and mites. Sarcoptic mites infest the face and ear margins, causing scabs and hair loss. They are accompanied by intense itching, leading the cat to frequently shake its head and scratch vigorously. This can result in dermatitis with wounds around the eyes and under the ears. If bacterial infection occurs in these areas, secondary bacterial dermatitis can develop.
When fleas infest, an allergic reaction occurs in response to their saliva. This causes severe itching and inflammation, leading to dermatitis and hair loss. Since it affects the entire body, the cat will scratch all over.
Cats can develop eosinophilic granuloma complex, a condition that manifests as stomatitis, dermatitis, and raised skin lesions. While flea allergy is thought to be involved, the exact cause is not fully understood.

Allergic Dermatitis

Allergic dermatitis occurs when the body's immune system reacts to a specific protein, releasing itchy substances. The main causes of allergic dermatitis include food, pollen, and house dust.

In cases of food allergic dermatitis, consuming certain foods causes itching around the eyes, ears, mouth, and anus.

Feline atopic dermatitis, caused by allergens such as dust, pollen, and mites, leads to severe itching, dermatitis, and hair loss. Symptoms appear on the face, paws, inner thighs, armpits, and lower abdomen.

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's immune system reacts against its own tissues, leading to various symptoms.

Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin of cats. It causes erosions, blisters, and hair loss on the skin.

Tumors

When a tumor causes pain, the cat may try to alleviate it by licking. This can lead to hair loss and dermatitis in the area of the tumor.

Additionally, white cats exposed to prolonged sunlight can develop solar dermatitis on thin-skinned areas like the ears, leading to hair loss. Cats over 6 years old with photosensitivity have an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma can occur not only on the ears but also around the mouth.

While mast cell tumors are malignant in dogs, they tend to behave benignly in cats (when localized to one area). Mast cell tumors form lumps on the skin and can become red or intensely itchy when touched.

Psychogenic

When cats feel anxious or stressed, they may groom themselves to calm down. In cases of psychogenic dermatitis, frequent licking can cause hair breakage and loss. Continued licking can further injure the skin, leading to bacterial dermatitis.

Hormonal

Hormonal disorders, caused by excessive or insufficient hormone secretion, can lead to symmetrical hair loss. Itching may also occur. Hormonal dermatitis results from abnormal lipid secretion in the skin or decreased immunity, which allows resident skin bacteria to proliferate abnormally.

Can Feline Skin Diseases Be Cured? What are the Treatment Options?

Treatment for skin diseases varies depending on the cause, but the main approaches include itch control with medication, removal of the cause, shampoo therapy, and flea and tick control. Dietary therapy may also be combined.

Pharmacotherapy

Pharmacotherapy involves oral medications or injections to control itching and eliminate the cause. For itch control, steroids and antihistamines are primarily used. Additionally, antibiotics and antifungals are used to eliminate bacteria and fungi. All of these medications must be completed as prescribed, and owners should not stop administering them on their own judgment, even if the cat refuses to take them.

Shampoo Therapy

Cats typically dislike bathing, but if dermatitis is severe, shampoo therapy may be recommended to alleviate itching and eliminate the cause. Use medicated shampoo prescribed by your veterinarian. Follow your veterinarian's instructions regarding usage and frequency. If bathing at home is difficult, consider using a professional grooming salon or veterinary clinic.

Flea and Tick Control

Fleas and ticks can cause allergic dermatitis. Over-the-counter flea and tick treatments may not be effective, so always get a prescription from your veterinarian. Apply the treatment to your cat's back once a month (or every three months, depending on the medication).

Dietary Therapy

In cases of food allergic dermatitis, the diet needs to be changed to an allergy-friendly food. Dietary therapy requires veterinary guidance.

Tumor Treatment

In cases of tumors, treating the tumor can sometimes alleviate the dermatitis. Treatment methods vary depending on the type of tumor and may include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

Treatment for Psychogenic Skin Disease

Psychogenic skin disease is often caused by stress. Identifying the source of stress in your cat is key to treatment. Re-evaluate their living environment, litter box, and relationships with other cats in the household. Additionally, cats may lick themselves out of boredom, so provide several toys or hide food around the house to engage their instincts and prevent boredom while you're away.

How to Prevent Cat Skin Diseases

Some skin diseases, such as bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections (fleas and ticks), can be prevented to a certain extent. Here are some general preventive measures.

Flea and Tick Control

Since fleas and ticks can cause allergic dermatitis, regular flea and tick control is essential. Use products prescribed by your veterinarian, rather than over-the-counter remedies or flea collars.

Brushing

Brushing not only tidies the fur, removes dirt, and gets rid of loose hair, but it also provides a massage effect for the skin. Brush short-haired cats once a day and long-haired cats twice a day. Regular brushing also makes it possible to detect skin abnormalities early.

Creating a Stress-Free Environment

Cats can continuously lick their bodies due to stress or boredom, which very often leads to dermatitis. It's essential to re-evaluate your cat's living environment and provide spaces where they can escape from other cats if necessary. Ensuring an adequate number of litter boxes is also crucial. To prevent boredom, create opportunities for your cat to engage in activities that mimic hunting.

Summary

Skin disease is a condition that owners can easily notice. The intense itching can be distressing to witness. Skin diseases rarely resolve on their own by simply waiting. It's crucial to visit a veterinarian early to initiate treatment.

Additionally, ensure regular flea and tick control and keep your cat's body clean through brushing and other measures.