3 Common Feline Skin Conditions and What to Do About Them

While what we sell is quality pet food, we’re really in the business of helping owners like you take the best possible care of your pets. We believe that by combining great products and education, we can help people throughout Lenexa Shawnee Mission provide their pets with the highest quality of life. 

Since that’s something all pet owners want to accomplish, we’re passionate about being able to do our part to help. With that in mind, what we want to focus on today is the different kinds of skin conditions that affect cats:

1. Ringworm

Of all the reasons why a cat may start losing hair, ringworm is one of the most common. This condition can be transmitted to other animals or humans, which is why you’ll want to take action as soon as possible. Other similar conditions that can cause skin discomfort for a cat are fleas, flea allergy and ear mites. Younger cats are especially susceptible to ear mites.

2. Lesions

Even though it’s not all that uncommon to find a lesion or even a skin mass on a cat, this is still a condition that needs to be taken seriously. Fungal infections, bacteria, infectious organisms and parasites are all potential causes of a lesion or mass, which is why a vet may do multiple tests or even a skin biopsy.

3. Shedding

Although shedding is common for cats, what you want to keep an eye out for is if your cat starts shedding more than normal. This can be a sign of discomfort, pain, a chronic itch or even a hormone imbalance. If the excessive shedding is occurring from a specific spot like the belly, it can be an indicator of ongoing pain in the bladder or abdomen.

Caring for a Feline Skin Condition

If you notice one of the feline skin conditions covered above, the best first step is to schedule an appointment with your vet. This will ensure that your cat gets the right course of treatment and any underlying issues can be ruled out.

In addition to dealing with specific issues, we receive plenty of questions about the best way to keep a cat’s coat in optimal shape. For that, the two most important things are grooming and food. Since cats do a good job of grooming themselves, they generally don’t need frequent baths (older or disabled cats may need more frequent baths or solutions like a moisturizing spray). However, periodic baths combined with regular brushing will do a lot to keep a cat’s skin and coat healthy.

The other key element of caring for this aspect of your cat’s health is the food you provide. If you want to learn about what makes Pet Wants a leader in this area, we encourage you to read through our About page and contact us if you have any additional questions.