Cat Skin Problems
Some Important Facts About Cat Skin Problems
Cat skin problems are common and this type of pet is quite prone to them. This is due to a number of factors. This article will examine why the skin problems usually occur, what to do when they do, and how to best prevent them in the first place.
The most usual causes of cat skin problems are; allergies, ringworm, fleas, or feline acne. As well as this anything that makes your cat itchy and wanting to scratch can lead to problems with the skin. Stress is another cause of these conditions. Sometimes the skin problems can be chronic and involve a lot of looking after.
Itchiness is a real problem for cats because they can do a lot of damage while scratching due to their claws. Most humans know the dangers of scratching things too much and so have a bit of self-control, but cats and other animals are less reserved and if something is itchy they will keep on scratching until they damage their skin. In fact this is one of the most common causes of all cat skin problems. Sometimes it is difficult for vets to decide if the scratching has caused the condition or the condition has caused the scratching. It the cat scratches too much it can lead to skin lesions, hair loss, and all sorts of other negative things.
Fleas are seen as the biggest cause for scratching and for skin problems. Cats can catch fleas at any time during their life, but the damage to their skin seems to be more intense when they are older. Your cat might also have ringworm, and if this is the case then you will need to be very careful because this can be passed onto humans; always get your cat checked if you think there is any chance of this being the case. Allergies can be another cause for itchiness and skin problems and you might need to get your cat checked for these. If you notice the skin has any type of growth then there is also the possibility of some type of tumour. Another danger for area for cats is too much sun; humans get sunburnt, but cats can also get problems with their skin because of too many rays.
Fleas and ringworm can be treated by your vet and if you remove any allergens that are affecting them then this should be a help. Topical lotions or shampoos may be advised. If there are any lumps then these might need to be removed. If your pet has an infection then this will need to be treated with antibiotics. If your cat has feline acne then this too might require some treatment by your vet if it is serious and causing too many problems.
In order to prevent cat skin problems developing it is important to have the cause of any itchiness identified and treated quickly. Doing this will stop a minor issue from developing into a big issue that will lead to expensive vet bills. Another way to stop skin problems is to make sure that your cat is eating a good healthy diet. If their body is a bit ruin down because of poor nutrition then this will make them more likely to get a skin problem and for the skin problem to be more serious.
The above was just a brief examination of the most common cat skin problems. Most can be easily treated and you should so as quickly as possible if your cat is scratching a lot; they really don’t know when to stop. There is plenty more good advice to be found on the internet and elsewhere, but for the best opinion you should always speak directly to your vet.