Your kitten is scratching at themselves endlessly! All that scratching, thumping, chewing and licking means restless nights for both of you. The medical term for itchiness is “pruritus,” and there are many reasons for this irritating sensation.
Itchiness is one of the most common signs of a skin issue. Causes can include:
- Parasitic infestations: Fleas, mites and ticks can all cause itchiness. Rarely, really itchy paws can signify a heavy hookworm infestation.
- Seasonal allergies: We get hay fever. Our cats get itchy.
- Food allergies: Food allergies can cause gastrointestinal upset in pets, but they more commonly cause skin irritation.
- Contact with irritants: Is your kitten itching after you wash their blankets? You may need to reconsider what detergents you’re using.
- Skin infections: Often, there is a predisposing cause for skin infections, such as a flea allergy. But once your kitten has a skin infection, the skin infection itself can make the itchiness worse.
- Autoimmune conditions: Some autoimmune conditions affect the skin, such as pemphigus foliaceus. These conditions can cause irritation and itchiness.
Although there are many potential causes, excessive itchiness usually comes down to either fleas or allergies (sometimes both!).
If your cat is scratching excessively, the first thing you’ll want to do is check for fleas. The little bugs can be hard to find, but if you part your cat’s fur and see little specks of black that resemble coffee grounds at the base of their fur, you’ve likely caught the culprit. A good place to look on cats is around their neck, as it’s harder for them to clean this area. For cats who are allergic to fleas, one bite can trigger a significant allergic reaction. If you find fleas, contact your VCA care team for treatment recommendations.
In the absence of fleas, ticks or other obvious causes, your VCA care team can help you sort out what’s causing your kitten’s pruritus. Several diagnostics might be necessary, including skin scrapings and cytology, to look for microscopic causes such as mites or infection. If allergies are suspected, your veterinarian may recommend diet trials or anti-itch medications. In some cases, a skin biopsy may be necessary, though other causes are usually ruled out first before progressing to this step.
Learn more about flea allergy dermatitis, one of the most common causes of itchiness in cats.
