Pruritus (Itchiness) in Cats

Overview of Feline Pruritus (Itchiness)

Pruritus, the medical term for itching or scratching, is an unpleasant sensation that causes a cat to scratch or bite at himself. It is caused by chemical reactions that occur in the skin and stimulate the nerves, causing the brain to feel the itch. In fact, the act of scratching itself may stimulate these inflammatory reactions in the skin and make the condition worse. Any skin condition that causes inflammation can cause pruritus.

Below is an brief overview of Pruritus (Itchiness) in Cats followed by detailed information on the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

How pruritis affects your cat’s health depends on the degree of the pruritus. Mild pruritus may hardly have any effect at all. However, severe pruritis leads to intense scratching, which may result in painful skin lesions that may become infected.

Every cat has a threshold of pruritis or an “itch threshold.” This is the point where all of the sources of itching finally add up to enough irritation to cause the irresistible urge to scratch. Scratching begins when the stimulation exceeds that threshold. For example, a cat with a mild allergy to house dust mites may be below the threshold but may begin to scratch severely when he becomes infested with fleas.

Pruritus is associated with other skin diseases, including secondary bacterial skin infections (pyoderma) and secondary yeast infections. But it is the main symptom of skin conditions like allergies and skin parasites.

What To Watch For

Diagnosis of Pruritus in Cats

Diagnostic tests may be needed to determine the cause of the pruritus. Your veterinarian will probably do the following:

Treatment of Pruritus in Cats

The key to relief from pruritus is to identify and treat the underlying cause. Pruritus may be temporarily relieved with medication but the itching often recurs after the medication is finished. Temporary relief may come from the following:

Home Care

At home your care will be aimed at preventing pruritis by keeping your cat’s coat clean and brushed free of mats. Consult with your veterinarian to establish a complete flea control program. If your cat is being treated for pruritis, administer all prescribed medication and follow all your veterinarian’s instructions.

In-depth Information on Pruritus (Itchiness) in Cats

Many skin diseases can cause or can contribute to pruritus. Every cat has a threshold of pruritus. When the nerves of the skin are stimulated by mediators of inflammation to a level below that threshold, the cat will not scratch. Scratching begins when the stimulation exceeds that threshold. It is common to see cats with two or more skin conditions that cause pruritus concurrently. For example, a cat with a mild allergy to house dust mites may be below the threshold but may begin to scratch severely when he becomes infested with fleas.

Allergic Skin Diseases Causing Itching in Cats

Parasitic Skin Diseases Causing Itching in Cats

There are many other causes of pruritus, including secondary bacterial skin infections (pyoderma) and secondary yeast infections.

Diagnosis In-depth

The key to treating pruritus is to identify and treat the underlying cause. Your veterinarian may want to perform a few diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the pruritus. Tests may include:

Treatment In-depth

The only way to relieve pruritus long-term is to diagnose and treat the underlying cause. Medications may be effective in mild cases or may offer temporary relief for more severe cases while waiting for the underlying cause to respond to treatment. But the itching often recurs after the medication is finished. Generally, treatment consists of the following:

Follow-up Care for Pruritus (Itchiness) in Cats

Pruritus can be a frustrating problem because there are many different causes and, therefore, many different treatments. Thus, it is extremely important that you stay in close communication with your veterinarian until the problem is resolved. In addition, you should also do the following: