Your kitty's itchy skin may be the result of external parasites, seasonal allergies or food allergies. Once you know what is causing the scratching, chewing and licking, you can control the itchy skin. However, if your kitty has an allergy, you can't stop it; you can only lessen her symptoms.
Step 1
Find out the causes of the itchy skin. Begin by examining your cat for fleas, mites or ticks. These external parasites can cause itching. Using a flea comb, comb the hair in the opposite direction of growth. If you see small, black dots, it is the flea excrement. Check your cat's ears. If you see dark brown debris, your cat has ear mites. Ticks bury under the skin, but you can see them under swollen skin.
Step 2
Remove the external parasite. Take out the tick with a tick remover -- a small plastic spoon with a V-cut. Remove ear mites with a veterinary recommended product. Use a cotton ball and swab the ear canal. If your cat has fleas, begin a flea control program -- spot applications, flea collars or flea powders.
Step 3
Observe your cat to see if she is sneezing and coughing -- the symptoms of outside pollens, mold, mildew and dust. These allergens can also cause itchy skin.
Step 4
Bath your cat with a veterinarian-recommended shampoo to relieve itching and remove pollen. You can also spray your cat with an oatmeal and aloe spray to sooth the skin. Your vet may prescribe cortisone or steroids to control the itching.
Step 5
Eliminate mold and mildew by cleaning with bleach or a bleach product. Mold and mildew can collect in the bathroom or any area with moisture.
Step 6
Remove dust by vacuuming twice a week and washing your kitty's bedding once a week. Purchase a dust-free kitty litter, as well.
Step 7
Examine your kitty's coat for fluid-filled lumps on the skin. This is usually the symptom of food allergies. Consider a novel diet for your kitty to diagnose the food causing the irritation. Most cat foods consist of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, eggs, wheat, barley and/or corn. A novel diet consists of foods that are not part of your kitty’s normal diet such as venison, kangaroo and potato. Your kitty stays on the diet for 10 weeks and then you reintroduce the former foods one at a time to see which one is causing the allergic reaction.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
