Why Does My Cat Lick and Scratch?
Cats spend a lot of time grooming themselves, and that's normal and healthy for them. Their rough, barbed tongues remove loose hair, dirt, and parasites from their skin.
However, sometimes a cat might over-groom, licking too much and irritating themselves. This can result in skin lesions and infections. An overly itchy cat might also scratch with the hind claws at their face, ears, or neck.
Cats Lick and Scratch Due to Allergies
One of the most common causes of over-grooming and excessive scratching in cats is allergies. Cats can be allergic to many things, and the most common allergies that cause itchy skin in cats include:
- Flea allergy. When a cat is allergic to flea saliva, even one bite can cause a general allergic reaction. Sometimes flea allergy is difficult to diagnose in cats because they are such fastidious groomers that fleas and flea dirt can be hard to find on their skin.
- Food allergy. Cats can develop allergies to one or more components of their diet, usually the protein and/or carbohydrate source. Some of these cats show gastrointestinal signs, but itchy skin is actually a much more common sign of food allergy in cats. Cats can become allergic to these compounds over time, so even if a cat has not changed foods recently, they might suddenly develop food allergy signs.
- Inhalant allergy. Cats may be allergic to substances they breathe in, including mold, spores, pollen, and dust. These cats might be itchy during specific seasons each year, but they may also have multiple allergies and be itchy full-time.
- Contact allergy. When a cat comes into direct physical contact with a substance he's allergic too, itchy skin might result. This is often the case with detergents used on laundry.
Other Itchy Conditions in Cats
Some other conditions that can result in itchy skin and its resultant over-grooming and scratching in cats include:
- Mites. Scabies and demodex are two types of mites that can inhabit a cat's skin and cause severe itchiness.
- Ringworm. This is a fungus that can infect a cat's skin and cause itchiness and hair loss. It's transferable to humans, and it doesn't usually create the typical ring appearance on cats' skin that it does on humans'.
- Autoimmune skin conditions. Cats can develop autoimmune diseases like lupus that may affect the skin or nails and cause licking and scratching.
More About Fleas in Cats
Fleas can cause over-grooming and scratching in cats for more than one reason. First, cats can be allergic to the flea saliva as described above. When that's the case, the allergic reaction can be sudden, severe, and widespread. Cats often become itchy on their rumps when they are suffering from a flea allergy.
Cats can also start to over-groom just due to the presence of fleas and flea dirt on their body. Cats like to stay clean and will diligently clean themselves when they have external parasites.
A Cat Might Lick Too Much Because of Stress
Cats sometimes develop psychologically-induced over-grooming. This is usually limited to licking and doesn't involve scratching with the back claws. It can also be limited to a specific body area like the front legs or paws.
If a cat is showing other signs of stress, like inappropriate elimination, scratching inappropriate household items, hiding, or clingy or aggressive behavior, stress might be the culprit.
Ear Conditions Can Cause a Cat to Scratch
Ear conditions like ear mites and ear infections can cause a cat to scratch their ears and around their heads excessively with their back claws. They may also hold their ears or even their whole head at a funny angle.
Pain Can Cause a Cat to Over-Groom an Area
Pain, usually from arthritis or a urinary tract infection, can cause a cat to focus on licking one area of the body—the part that hurts—to help it feel better.
Again, these cats don't usually scratch in addition to the licking and may show other signs related to the painful condition as well, such as limping or inappropriate urination.
What to Do If Your Cat Is Licking and Scratching Excessively
If your cat is licking areas of the body to the point of baldness or causing redness on their own skin or if he is scratching excessively with his back claws, make an appointment with the veterinarian right away.
Your vet will take a complete history from you of what you noticed and when and might ask some questions about diet changes, parasite control, and exposure to other cats. Then, the doctor will do a thorough physical exam. Once that's done, he or she might recommend some testing to narrow down the problem. Those tests might include:
- Skin cytology
- Skin scraping
- Blacklight test
- Fungal culture
- Bacterial culture and sensitivity
Once a diagnosis is made, your vet will prescribe medications to help with the itchiness, treat any secondary infections caused by the over-licking and scratching, and make a plan to manage the primary cause. You might be applying topical ointment, giving oral medication, using special shampoo, or your vet might give some injections.
Follow the vet's instructions carefully, and follow up as necessary with reports and re-checks.
While you are treating your cat, Soft Paws applied to the rear claws can help decrease self-inflicted damage.
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