The cat constantly itches and licks: why and what to do?

Cats are one of the cleanest animals. Of course, they always monitor their fur and lick every available corner of their fur coat. Usually not a single part of her body is left without attention. They are so flexible that there is no place that they cannot put in order. They are ready to wash their face again and again. Sometimes ears or a neck are scratched, but this is rare, since the licked wool is clean and does not cause discomfort to the animal. But there are times when cats itch constantly, and lick their areas of concern on the body.

Normal healthy cat behavior

After sleeping, the cat loves to stretch and be sure to wash its face, legs and ears. Sometimes a barrel and a tummy. After going to the toilet, she takes care of the tail area. Since it follows its hygiene. Sometimes a cat scratches itself, like any living thing. But, if the cat pays too much attention to the eyes or tail area, constantly licks them, or can’t comb it at all - you should seriously pay attention to this and go to the veterinary clinic. A timely visit to a doctor is the key to a quick recovery of your beloved pet.

The reasons for the cat’s excessive attention to itself

Allergy
If the cat constantly itches or her eyes leak, it can be an allergic manifestation to food, food additives, water. Also irritants can be detergents that wash the tray or are simply used to clean the apartment. Allergies can cause special shampoos, which are used to care for cat's hair. Try to wash your pet as little as possible, the cat constantly cleans itself.

Sometimes cats react to spring bloom when pollen is everywhere, flies in an open window and fills the whole room with its microparticles.

The cause of an allergic reaction can be mosquito bites, midges and horseflies. Like people, some people tolerate a normal bite, while someone has a strong redness and swelling forms.

Fungal disease
Continuous brushing can be triggered by ringworm. This disease forms on the skin of an animal, affecting the hair follicles on the body. The skin becomes inflamed and begins to itch. Therefore, the cat begins to actively comb the affected areas. The disease is contagious to humans.

In addition to lichen, fungal diseases can occur on the skin of a cat. They also cause itching.

Ticks
Often in the summer, people take their pets to nature. The cat is active and runs everywhere. It can climb a tree, climb a fence or the roof of a house. Get into bushes or impenetrable grass. Having run up and played enough, she can bring ticks with herself. These insects, having drunk enough, after some time fall off and it seems that everything is fine - there is no tick and there are no problems. This is not true. If the tick was infected, then it could infect the cat. The sooner the specialists remove the tick and check it for a number of infections, the sooner the treatment of the disease will begin, which will harm the animal to a lesser extent.

Some species of ticks use animals as an incubator. Making a hole in the skin of the animal, they lay their eggs there. And subsequently offspring should hatch from them. All this provokes severe itching in the animal. Sometimes combing is so strong that the cat may bleed.

Pyoderma
This disease causes a strong inflammatory process in the cat's body, which activates severe itching in the animal.

A streptococcal form of the disease is possible, which develops in the subcutaneous zones of the animal. The infection is contagious, transmitted to humans. In no case do not postpone treatment of the pet, especially if there are children in the house.

Otitis
One of the most common diseases in cats. With ear pains, a cat not only constantly scratches and licks its ears, it becomes lethargic, eats and sleeps poorly. Maybe even cry. Pain in the ears gives the animal particular discomfort. With inflammation, the temperature may rise. Lack of treatment can be fatal.

Hormonal disbalance
Yes, cats, like humans, have hormonal disruptions. They can also cause skin irritation on the body. In this case, the hair becomes heterogeneous, falls out, the skin dries. Sometimes even bald islands form. Excessive peeling of the skin appears.

Vitamin deficiency or vice versa glut
Deficiency or oversaturation with vitamins A and E leads to disruption of the entire cat's system. The skin in this case begins to dry and become covered with scales. The animal begins to constantly comb the skin and lick the restless areas.

Fleas
Small insects, which sometimes can not be seen with the naked eye, but their living causes great discomfort to the pet. A cat can get such residents on the street from his feline friends or from a dog passing by. Sometimes you can bring such a friend just from the street to the apartment. In order to prevent a pet’s disease, do not forget to wear a flea collar for your cat or use a special liquid product that is applied to the withers. It will prevent the sharing of uninvited guests.

How to help the animal?

If the pet has become overly attentive to itself, it is necessary to immediately examine it for the presence of fleas, ticks, peeling on the skin. Possible discharge from the eyes, poor stools, purulent ears. After the examination, put the pet in the carrier and go to the veterinary clinic. On the way, remember what has changed in behavior, how long it lasts, what you found during the examination. Perhaps the cat’s nutrition has changed. New products or new brands of canned food can also affect the condition of the pet. Perhaps the cat drinks other water or does not drink it at all. The use of new detergents in the apartment can also provoke changes in behavior. The presence of new smells and aromas can also aggravate a pet's well-being. Remember everything that has changed lately. Enumeration of the complete information will enable the specialist to correctly assess the situation and make a diagnosis.

Diagnosis and treatment

The veterinary clinic will fully examine your pet. They look at all areas of the skin for fleas, ticks and lichen. Check the eyes, ears and the area next to the tail. If at this stage the specialist cannot diagnose, he will propose a blood test, urine test. If necessary, they can take additional tests for flora and scraping from the skin in the area of ​​peeling.

After all the manipulations, the veterinarian will prescribe treatment. Most likely, the cat can be treated at home using ointments, drops, tablets, powders. Some injections can also be done by yourself at home, if possible. But there are times when a cat needs to be brought to the clinic for injections or droppers. Thus, the specialist will additionally monitor the course of therapy.

Be sure to follow the instructions of the doctor. In no case do not skip taking the prescribed drugs. Proper treatment is the key to a quick recovery of the pet.

Disease Prevention

If the cat is taken to the country, then before the summer season it is necessary to carry out a series of manipulations.

1. Put on a collar or apply liquid medicine to a cat’s flea and tick coat.
2. Once a week, it is necessary to comb out the animal’s hair with a special brush, checking the area of ​​the body for the presence of insects. This procedure will appeal to the cat.
3. It is necessary to feed the cat with food purchased in a trusted store. You can’t buy unknown feed, especially in bulk on the market or in some basement where the storage conditions of the feed leave much to be desired.
4. Visit the veterinary clinic annually, and sometimes every six months, for a general examination. Then there will be constant monitoring of health.

In all unusual cases, consult a specialist. No need to self-medicate and leave everything for later, otherwise the result may be bad. Do not allow this. Do not forget, a healthy pet will always delight all family members and live a long and happy life. Take care of pets and your loved ones.

Video: what to do if your cat itches?