Abnormal Cat Scratching

You might not see fleas on your cat, especially if he's dark-haired. That doesn't mean he's not infested. If your cat suffers from a flea allergy, it only takes one of these tiny pests to make him miserable and scratch incessantly. Since cats can often catch their own fleas when grooming, fleas congregate in areas your cat's tongue can't reach, such as the back of his head and the base of his tail. A monthly, topical flea preventive can often rid Fluffy of fleas. You must also treat all other cats and dogs in the house. Since flea eggs mature in carpeting and upholstery, vacuum thoroughly and regularly. If you're severely infested, you might need to call in an exterminator to get rid of the fleas in your home.

When pollen season comes around, you might sneeze and suffer upper respiratory problems. Pollen and other environmental allergens can also affect Fluffy, but he'll scratch rather than sneeze. Dust mites, molds, grass and other triggers can cause seasonal scratching in your cat. Your vet can conduct allergy tests by taking blood samples and skin scrapings to figure out what bothers your cat. She'll prescribe appropriate medication, such as antihistamines, as well as recommend preventive strategies. These might include using air purifiers in your house during certain times of the year.

It's quite possible that your cat's abnormal amount of scratching is due to mental rather than physical reasons. Some cats incessantly scratch, bite, lick or chew, self-mutilating to the point of causing bald spots or lesions on their bodies. While this obsessive behavior can occur in any cat, Siamese and other Oriental breeds are the most likely to self-mutilate, and females more apt to do so than males, according to WebMD. Your vet might prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to stop the behavior.

If your cat's constant scratching centers on his ears, ear mites are probably the culprit. Check his ears and look for signs of inflammation or a brown substance in his ear canals. While healthy cats rarely have lice, if you find a stray, undernourished cat who's constantly scratching, he might be lousy. Bring your cat to the vet for diagnosis and treatment, rather than relying on over-the-counter products to get rid of these parasites. Your vet can prescribe a topical flea control product that also eradicates lice and ear mites.