Why is my Cat Covered With Scabs?
My cat has small scabs on her body. She does not
go out doors, and has no contact with other
animals. I am feeding her dry food for hairball and weight
control, as well as wet food once a day. Could
this be food related? Is there something I should
be putting on the small sores? Should I remove
the scabs? I am in a wheelchair, and it is very
difficult to transport her to a vet.
Thanks,
Frances
Rochester NY
There is a chance that your cat’s problem is related to food. However, there is a greater chance that fleas are causing the problem.
Many different issues can cause cats to develop scabs on their bodies. Allergic reactions, skin infections with bacteria or fungus, skin parasites and immune system diseases may all cause problems such as the ones you describe.
Of the possible causes, allergic reactions are most common. And flea allergy is the most likely culprit. Cats that are allergic to fleas often develop a syndrome called miliary dermatitis. These cats develop small scabs all over their bodies. There may be an especially heavy distribution of scabs near the tail and around the neck.
Therefore, the first step I would recommend is high-quality flea control.
What if your cat doesn’t have fleas? Flea control should still be the first step. A pet does not require a visible flea infestation to suffer from flea allergies. Nor does she need to go outdoors or come into contact with other pets.
I do not recommend applying ointments to the affected areas of skin. I also don’t recommend removing the scabs. Both of these actions may make the problem worse.
Although it may be difficult to orchestrate, a trip to the vet is the best option for your cat. And if flea control doesn’t help with the problem, a veterinary checkup is really your only option.
You have questions. 
I live in the Calif Desert, and if one has indoor Cacti, the Cat may sometimes use this to scratch their cheeks or face on, like a bristle-brush. I had an indoor-outdoor kitty who used to do this all the time, and the hair would fall off his face, and be covered with little scabs. Alot of homes have indoor cacti planters, and while “we” know the thing is painful, the Cat may look at it like a scratching device, to rub their faces on. I always worried he would get the little spines in his eyes, but it never happened…
Food allergies and inhalant allergies certainly need to be ruled out. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to have the cat scraped for mites and potentially for ring-worm. This cat needs to see a veterinarian no matter what. Even if the problem is fleas…over the counter flea medication is not always effective.
My cat had the same problem until i one day i had applied my dogs fungus medicine on her and in a few days it all disappeared…Now she doesn’t have it anymore…her skin has miraculously healed…The medicine i used was “MALASEB Tm” spray…Malaseb spray contains a unique formulation of antibacterial and antifungal agents with essential fatty acids and Vitamin E for optimal therapeutic effectiveness…Ask your vet for it..For a bottle of 8 fl. oz is cosat about $18.00 here in Honolulu…Good Luck!
I have a question…Can i give my dog plain yogurt mix in his dry food or cook oatmeal? The oatmeal can i cook it in water or soy milk? which is better…Please let me know ASAP, so i know what not to feed him!!! I stop giving him the pedigree can food, he is overweight and i bought an organic weight maintenance ( 1 bag) and another bad of Nutro natural Choice also for weight maint4enance for Dogs…I also go to the open market and buy beef and pork leg bones with a little meat attach and a lot of bone marrow inside it and cook it in the oven until its kinda crispy then freeze it and give to him as a treat once a week…Thank you
Time to go see the vet!!!! I have flea dermatitis. I am treated for fleas with Frontline Plus. All it takes is one flea to bite me, even though I am treated. I get an allergic reaction to the flea bite. I have to take medicine for this condition. If I dont, I get scabs all over my body, mostly around my neck and by my tail and my fur thins out dramatically. Tell your mommy or daddy you need to see the vet to be sure. You will feel much better after you are treated. Wish you the best!!! Molly in Sunny California!!!
I’m having this problem with my long haired cat right now. She is allergic to flea’s and doesn’t go out much. She had one bump when I applied flea control Then it spread like wildfire. I put a collar on her and it smelled so bad she hide for 24 hrs. left it off for weeks and tried again but it smelled stinch. Tossed it. Sprayed flea spray on her too! By the way, she’s loving all this LOL gave her a bath. I used a cat trimmer and trimmed away the long fur just below the ear’s to expose the problem area hoping it will heal faster. Had put lotion on it since with humans lotion, keeping a sore soft makes it heal faster. Just read not to do that. I bought another collar that I hope is not near as strong, can’t find it must be in the trunk or she carried out to the trash! LOL I have never had a cat that is such high mait. Flea’s high priced cat food and vet bills. But she’s my baby! I love her very much. She’s so scared, especially when I got her. Her nick name is Abby Boo Boo I’m about ready to shave her all the way, but winter is coming. Don’t know what to do? Help me somebody please!
Check for body mites.
I found that when my cat had some of the ailments mentioned, in order to keep the bed clean and prevent reinfection, I used a disposable cover known as KleenSheet. Look at KleenSheets.com
I had the same problem with my two indoor cats and wonder why so many scabs on their bodies and especially around the neck since they NEVER go outside. I finally took them to the vet and I found out they had fleas
They were given FrontLine Plus, just one treatment per month on their back between the shoulder blades and after only a couple of days, they start healing, the scabs disappearing rapidly and the skin clearing.
Just because they are indoor cats, doesn’t mean they will not get fleas, I found this out after 8 years of having my cats. And I thought that since they really don’t get alone, the scabs bites from fighting with each other.
The Frontline Plus is around $ 13.00 per application, once per month.
Good luck
I had the same problem with my two indoor cats and wonder why so many scabs on their bodies and especially around the neck since they NEVER go outside. I finally took them to the vet and I found out they had fleas
They were given FrontLine Plus, just one treatment per month on their back between the shoulder blades and after only a couple of days, they start healing, the scabs disappearing rapidly and the skin clearing.
Just because they are indoor cats, doesn’t mean they will not get fleas, I found this out after 8 years of having my cats. And I thought that since they really don’t get alone, the scabs were bites from fighting with each other.
The Frontline Plus is around $ 13.00 per application, per cat, once per month, a small tube with a liquid medication that you squeeze on the skin (not the hair).
Good luck
A friend of mine quite awhile ago had a dog with a severe allergy to fleas which was worse during warm weather. They used all the better flea applications , yet the allergy persisted. Prednisone was perscribed and this helped alot.Prednisone is used to reduce imflamation and shut down the immune system from reacting and causing the allergic reaction. After awhile they sought another vets opinion and he used ” Animal” birth control pills and that worked well for years. Seems to me all of these are just treating the symptoms not the cause. Why would a animal all of a sudden become allergic to fleas? Something is amiss with the immune system. This could be anything from parasites to bacteria or viruses.I have found that some probiotics are helpful , namely acidolphuis. This regulates the bacteria in the intestions so that the bad bacteria doesnt become over grown and cause immune disorders.This happens in people as well as animals. It is important with cats and dogs to keep them on the same brand of food be it wet or dry. This helps with allergies. Changes can trigger skin allergies real easy. It is IMPORTANT to say that regular human birth control pills are not given to animals . Let your vet decide what is best. This animal birth control remedy was also successful in treating cats with rodent granulation ( mouth ulcer).
My Amelia (R.I.P) used to have terrible flea dermatitis. Yes, a simple application of Frontline, Advantage, Revolution or other flea preventive is best care anywhere. All it takes is ONE flea bite to get an allergic cat itching and scratching everywhere.
If you’ve had visits from dogs (who are constantly in and out and susceptible to flea hitchhikers), be sure to treat your carpet and any dog beds or sitting areas with a flea preventive. A good cheap thing to use is 20 Mule Team Borax — the salt in it dehydrates and kills any fleas that are hanging around. Have a friend come over and sweep it into your carpet where the cat won’t constantly step on it! After a couple of weeks or so, a thorough vacuuming should get rid of any flea bodies/eggs.
Yechh. Don’t you just hate all those blood-sucking parasites. Good luck — but as noted, do be sure to SEE the VET first to rule out mites, etc. Purrs!